Purpose
Whilst discussions, legal actions, protests and petitions on the matter of Bristol’s connection to TTEA have existed over decades, recent events such as the toppling of the Edward Colston Statue and the passing of an Atonement and Reparations Motion in Bristol have further added to the topical and pressing nature of atonement, repair and justice.
The historical suffering and contributions of enslaved Africans have not been adequately acknowledged or integrated into the cultural narrative. It is fundamental in terms of a new institutional understanding and narrative concerning the reality of experiences historically and contemporarily endured by African Heritage Communities (AHC), summed up by the concept of the Maangamizi, the continuum from chattel enslavement, colonialism and neocolonialism. The stories of AHCs have been denied and silenced.
The BLF attempts to create a focus towards city repair and atonement, community repairs, family repairs as well as the psychology of the city and African Heritage Communities who continue to be disenfranchised as a result of this history, its ramifications and legacies today.
It is part of a reparatory justice process where the past and present are connected in order to build a just future for posterity.
“We as living descendants of our African ancestors and their future generations living in this city [of Bristol] owe a huge debt to those trafficked and enslaved. We are here because of them. We are their dreams of tomorrow. So, let’s hold them up in our midst, in a monument or monuments (why one?) that honours and dignifies their memory, their lives, humanity, and struggles. We might then remember their courage, bravery, resistance and survival as part of our shared past and continuing struggle in the city today.”
Objectives
Cultural Amplification: Increase the visibility and accessibility of African Heritage cultural expression in public art and culture.
Capacity Building: Support African heritage artists and creative practitioners through resources, training, and collaborative opportunities.
Healing, Restoration and Education: Offer educational and outreach programmes focused on reparatory justice, centred on African heritage communities in order to promote dignity, self-repair and create a shared African identity.