The Plymouth and District Racial Equality Council has the ethos of respect as one of its key values.

We work with the city council, the police, the health authority and other large public organisations, all of whom acknowledge that racism is a real and complex issue in our society. We also offer a free casework and advocacy service for any of our citizens who need our support. Racism can take the form of verbal or physical abuse, violent attacks or a simple but damaging ignorance or fear of anyone who appears to be “different.”

Clearly it is very unfortunate that the pub (The Breton Arms) is taking the name The Hawkins Meeting Place.  John Hawkins was a pioneering English shipbuilder, naval administrator, commander, merchant and navigator. However, it is an unavoidable and unpalatable truth that he was also the first English merchant to sell slaves for profit. He made at least three voyages to Africa with the intention of acquiring slaves to trade across the Atlantic Ocean. For his work Hawkins was granted a coat of arms which features an image of a bound African man.

It goes without saying that it is profoundly disrespectful to the millions of Africans and other people who have been enslaved over centuries to celebrate these shameful chapters of history by any elevation of one of its key architects.

We cannot change history nor should we feel responsible for what happened before we were born. What we can and should do, however, is to ensure that we fight for social justice and equality for all in our own times and to learn the lessons of history.

The publicity surrounding this issue has given us a welcome opportunity to continue the debate about slavery and abolition in which Plymouth played an important role. Similarly, last year’s anniversary to mark the Bicentenary of the Act to abolish slavery represented a crucial opportunity to help people understand the truth of this situation.

We look forward to continuing our work within Plymouth and the surrounding area to help people discover both the reality of our history, and to create a new and more respectful future.

ENDS

'Proud Parents' of Plymouths Annual Respect Festival - 2007 10th Anniversary

www.plymouthrespectfestival.co.uk