The statue of Edward Colston in Bristol. Will it have to go and what might replace it?

On Russia Today recently (July 25) notable left-winger Lee Jasper and Stephen Morris of the English Democrats debated the issue of the statue of Edward Colston – prominent philanthropist involved in the slave trade – which stands in a conspicuous position in the centre of Bristol. 

As Stephen Morris points out, the African slave trade existed long before European slavers became involved.  Europeans should take their fair share of the blame for the evils of slavery, but not all of it.  History records that Africans captured and enslaved their fellow Africans before selling them on to European and Arab slave merchants. 

Bristol merchants such as Colston, despite their local philanthropy, must inevitably take their share of responsibility for the horrors which helped make their fortunes.  In these politically correct times it seems inevitable to me that sooner or later Edward Colston’s statue will have to go, but what should replace it?

I suggest a couple of alternative memorials, both of equal merit.  My first is for Hannah More (1745-1833), poet, playwright, and advocate of social reform and the abolition of slavery, she was one of the most significant women of her times.  Furthermore, she was born in Fishponds, Bristol, and lived for many a year in nearby Wrington just a few miles south-west of the city.  She returned to Bristol for her final years before her death in Clifton. 

My other suggestion is for a memorial to the men of the Royal Navy’s African Squadron whose mission was to put the slavers out of business.  Between 1807, when Parliament passed the Abolition of the Slave Trade Act, and 1860 the squadron seized around 1,600 ships involved in the slave trade and freed 150,000 Africans who were aboard them.  This was not without cost to the Royal Navy crews involved.  In 1829, the squadron’s worst year, 204 out of 792 men died, mainly of malaria or yellow fever.  Between 1830 and 1865 around 1,587 men were killed in action, in accidents or from disease.  The mortality rate was 55 in every 1,000 men – more than 5 times the rate of a crew serving in healthier climates nearer home.  A memorial would be a fitting tribute to their courage, fortitude and sacrifice.

For those interested in the Royal Navy’s part in abolishing the slave trade I recommend Bernard Edwards’ Royal Navy versus the Slave Traders: Enforcing Abolition at Sea 1808-1898 (Pen & Sword, 2007).    

To view the debate on RT between Lee Jasper and the English Democrats' Stephen Morris, here is a link:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Aw4yJTriYHw&feature=youtu.be