Bristol’s shameful riot not in my name
AS AN elderly ‘unwoke’ Bristolian lady, I would like to share my feelings of outrage about the disturbing events on what should have been a peaceful day expressing solidarity about the death of George Floyd. Unwise in the midst of a pandemic, but no doubt sincere. Instead I witnessed the toppling of a statute of Edward Colston. I wonder how many of the people who took part in this shameful event were Bristolians. The toppling of the statue was described by one young woman as a spontaneous act and the result of failing to get rid of it by democratic means. It was not a spontaneous act — rioters came prepared with grappling ropes. As for the failure of democracy, did this young woman and others stop to think that maybe Bristolians would not want to get rid of this statue? It is part of my heritage. My father, also a born-and-bred Bristolian, was a barrow boy. As a well-known and well-liked costermonger, it was his great pleasure to take me for a walk around the city on a Sunday morning. Though he had left school at an early age, he was very knowledgeable and as we walked he would tell me about the different statues and landmarks, including the history of Edward Colston. I learned much more about this man during my school years. I share the feelings of abhorrence about the slave trade in which he took part and the fortune he derived from it. He was not alone — it was a global problem. Have the protesters read journals or accounts of what actually happened all those centuries ago? Do they realise many tribal chiefs in Africa were happy to betray their own young people, selling them off as slaves in exchange for goods? We do not know if Edward Colston ever regretted his deeds. But if he is known for his misdeeds, he should also be known as a great philanthropist. His gifts to the city include Colston Hall, a concert venue, and Colston’s school where a great many children enjoyed a schooling they might not otherwise have received. Now, no doubt, Bristolians will see the rewriting of our history with the changing of the names of these institutions. Finally, I have to ask why I pay a police precept on my council tax to watch officers standing back while rioters do as they please.
MARION WEBB, Bristol.