Swords into plowshares
About this blog
Swords into Plowshares is the blog of the Peacemaking Program and the Presbyterian Ministry at the United Nations of the Presbyterian Mission Agency of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.).
Seeking peace. Striving for justice. Together.
Recent posts
- Summer 2013 intern at the Presbyterian Ministry at the United Nations – Onaje Crawford
- Remarks by Ambassador Jeffrey DeLaurentis, U.S. Alternate Representative for Special Political Affairs at the United Nations, at a Security Council Open Debate on Children and Armed Conflict, June 17, 2013
- Together, We Have the Power to Protect the Ocean
- 1 is too many
- A prayer for World Refugee Day
Categories
- Peace (531)
- United Nations (516)
- Prayer (471)
- Human Rights (424)
- Justice (391)
- View all categories →
Archives
- June 2013
- May 2013
- April 2013
- March 2013
- February 2013
- January 2013
- December 2012
- November 2012
- October 2012
- September 2012
- August 2012
- July 2012
- June 2012
- May 2012
- April 2012
- March 2012
- February 2012
- January 2012
- December 2011
- November 2011
- October 2011
- September 2011
- August 2011
- July 2011
- June 2011
- May 2011
- April 2011
- March 2011
- February 2011
- January 2011
- December 2010
- November 2010
- October 2010
- September 2010
- August 2010
- July 2010
- June 2010
- May 2010
- April 2010
- March 2010
- February 2010
- January 2010
- December 2009
- November 2009
- October 2009
- September 2009
- August 2009
- July 2009
- June 2009
- May 2009
- April 2009
- March 2009
- February 2009
- January 2009
- December 2008
- November 2008
- October 2008
- September 2008
- August 2008
- July 2008
- June 2008
- May 2008
- April 2008
- March 2008
- February 2008
- View all archives →
"Forever Free: Celebrating Emancipation"
International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery and Transatlantic Slave Trade
March 25, 2013
"They will remember that we were sold, but not that we were strong. They will remember that we were bought, but not that we were brave."
William Prescott, former slave
The tragic transatlantic slave trade, which marked one of the darkest chapters in human history, lasted for 400 years, despite a spirited resistance by the millions of enslaved peoples. Often known as the triangular trade, the transatlantic trade connected the economies of three continents. It is estimated that between 15 to 20 million people, men, women and children, were deported from their homes and sold as slaves in the different slave trading systems. The yearly International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery and Transatlantic Slave Trade serves not only as an opportunity to reflect on those that suffered and perished at the hands of slavery, it is a day to remember those who resisted even to the point of death. The remembrance also as an occasion to raise awareness to the world’s youth about the dangers of racism and prejudice.
The theme for this year's remembrance, “Forever Free: Celebrating Emancipation,” honors those who worked for the emancipation of slaves in nations across the world. The UN notes several key anniversaries related to emancipation that occur this year, including:
- 220 years since France’s General Emancipation decree liberated all slaves in present-day Haiti
- 180 years since the Slavery Abolition Act of 1833 ended slavery in Canada, the British West Indies and the Cape of Good Hope
- 170 years ago, the Indian Slavery Act of 1843 was signed
- Slavery was also abolished 165 years ago in France; 160 years ago in Argentina; 150 years ago in the Dutch colonies; and 125 years ago in Brazil
- 150 years ago the Emancipation Proclamation took effect on January in the United States
For all the progress, slavery remains with us. Modern-day slavery - human trafficking is the recruitment, harboring, transporting, providing or obtaining by any means any person for forced labor, slavery or servitude in any industry or site such as agriculture, construction, prostitution, manufacturing, begging, domestic service or marriage. More than 20.9 million people are estimated to work in conditions of forced labor world-wide according to the International Labour Organisation.
As we observe the International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery and Transatlantic Slave Trade, may we rededicate ourselves to following in the footsteps of those who resisted and worked for emancipation. Affirming that Jesus Christ came that “they may have life, and have it abundantly” (John 10:10b), may we work to end modern-day slavery.
Learn about the work of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) Human Trafficking Roundtable. Find action suggestions to work for an end to human trafficking, modern-day slavery.
Additional resources from the UN system.
UN High Commissioner for Human Rights
- Special Rapporteur on Contemporary Forms of Slavery
- UN Voluntary Fund on Contemporary Forms of Slavery
UNESCO
- The Transatlantic Trade Slave Route
- Breaking the Silence: The Transatlantic Slave Trade Education Project
- Virtual Visit to the House of Slaves of Gorée Island (Dakar, Senegal)
- 2004 International Year to commemorate the Struggle against Slavery and its Abolition
Thanks to Sera Chung, a student at Princeton Theological Seminary who is serving in a field education placement with the Presbyterian Ministry at the United Nations, for work on this post.
- Posted at 9:47 a.m.
-
- Tweet