LETTERS

The hand-wringing over the revelation that Glasgow University has benefited from the profits of slavery raised a wry smile from me.

I am a naturalised Scot of more than 45 years whose West Indian heritage apparently includes both slaves and slave traders. Apart from having a little knowledge of colonial history, I remember my mother saying that she remembers Scots overseers on colonial sugar estates of what is now Guyana as being amongst the “harshest”. I have been amazed over the years that many Scots have come to accept the idea that Scots were somehow not part of, or at worst, “unwilling participants” in some of the evils of British colonialism. The idea that Scots gained disproportionately (more) in terms of size of population relative to England, from slavery must come as a blow to those who seek to pretend that Scots are somehow more virtuous than the English. Much of the wealth of modern Scotland is as a direct result of slavery and colonialism. Some of our finest buildings, estates and even street names are physical evidence of this.

So, should Scots be proud or ashamed of their heritage? Should I feel hatred of or be aggrieved by my own? I did not personally experience the pain of slavery, so to claim victimhood would be wrong. Neither did I inflict or directly benefit from it – so shame or apology would also be inappropriate. Similarly, I had no influence on how Britain and the ex-colonies have matured so I should feel neither shame nor pride in being British.

What I can feel is glad. Glad that Britain’s evolving laws and democracy allowed us to move away from the injustices that were common to so many countries in the past. Glad that our combined ancestors had the wisdom and freedom of thought to eventually end slavery and colonialism. Glad that many of those former colonies have also evolved well – keeping the good and rejecting the bad.

My extended family now includes, people of West Indian, Eastern European, Jewish, Indian, Scandinavian, East Asian as well as British descent, many of whom have the education and lineage that would allow them to have a choice of countries to live in. However, the vast majority chose either Britain or former colonies that have become free, safe, representative democracies.

All of us are benefiting from the net effects of the good and evil of the past. Not perfect but still evolving. Our ancestors would be glad, so should we be!

Earlswells Road Cults, Aberdeen