Earlier this year, the British celebrated this occasion as something they are proud of - something that never should have happen in the first place. So why and what are they really celebrating?
2007-07-25 14:24:30 · 10 answers · asked by Anonymous in Arts & Humanities ➔ History
This question is very mind provoking isn't it? The answers so far are really good by showing both why the anniversary should be celebrated as well as why it should not be celebrated. So getting a 'BEST' answer isn't something that everyone would agree on,
2007-07-27 12:43:43 · update #1
I see in the news that Africans are still being sold by other Africans and the Arabs?
2007-07-25 14:29:43 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
I don't think that the anniversary of the abolition of slavery should be a celebrated holiday, because I think that slavery should never have been allowed in the first place. I suppose, however, that it IS celebrated for the following reason: although history has taught us that humans have been subjugating other humans since the earliest recorded history, no one had really thought to question that process for thousands of years. Finally, the western world had a "duh" moment, where they realized that everyone deserves freedom and no one should be a slave - hooray! (Some of us are sarcastic b/c we believe that it should have been that way all along...) So, in short, I don't think that the 200th anniversary of slavery's abolition should be celebrated as anything other than what it was - the time when countries came to their senses.
2007-07-26 10:19:31 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
While Thomas Jefferson signed a bill abolishing the slave trade effective in 1808, slavery itself was not abolished until January 1, 1863 by Lincoln in the Emancipation Proclamation. It just meant no more slaves were to be kidnapped in Africa and brought to the US. But my 1808 slavery had existed in the US for 200 years since Jamestown so there were a lot of native born slaves. I don't really think this is a date to celebrate; recognize yes. Wait till 2063 to celebrate.
2007-07-25 21:48:31 · answer #3 · answered by rationallady 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
They're celebrating the fact that they abolished the slave trade. Watch "Amazing Grace", it came out earlier this year, it's the story about how William Wilberforce (I think thats what his name was) got enough votes in Parliament to outlaw the slave trade. It's a really inspiring story, and the movie was made in honor of the 200th anniversary. Watching that movie may help understand why it's such a big deal for them now.
2007-07-25 21:44:08 · answer #4 · answered by BonJoviFan 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I think Abolition of the Slave Trade should be celebrated by everyone in U. K, and that it should also be done in every country that took part in slavery in the past.
2007-07-25 22:53:12 · answer #5 · answered by james 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
We "celebrate" VE and VJ days, don't we?
Seems like this would be more important, yet I haven't a clue where or with whom such a proposition should be put forth.
First time I've agreed with J.S.! I, too, often take pride in "thumbs down" thrown out by bozos! I gave you an "up."
2007-07-25 22:42:25 · answer #6 · answered by 34th B.G. - USAAF 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They are celebrating the end of a barbaric trade in human beings and the freeing of people from servitude. If you don't understand why that is something to celebrate I despair.
2007-07-25 22:33:51 · answer #7 · answered by iansand 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yes, the Saudi Arabians are celebrating the 45th year of the outlawing of slavery in Saudi Arabia - you can join in on their celebrations too. Thanks for the thumbs down, that's a compliment to me.
http://hrw.org/mid.east/saudi/labor/
2007-07-25 23:30:20 · answer #8 · answered by WMD 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Very good point. Then again, the U.S. just sweeps slavery under the rug like it never happened.
2007-07-25 21:33:05 · answer #9 · answered by M2 3 · 0⤊ 4⤋
I think they are trying to please their black population. I see nothing wrong with that.
2007-07-25 21:28:16 · answer #10 · answered by redunicorn 7 · 2⤊ 1⤋