Commons Sense
As we approach the end of Black History Month, I was fortunate enough last week to take part in a commemorative event for Lord William Grenville. Lord Grenville was a former Prime Minister whose actions resulted in the abolition of the slave trade in the British Empire, and who just so happened to hail from Burnham, right here in Buckinghamshire.
It was a fitting time for such a tribute and serves as a timely reminder of the terrible legacy that slavery has had across Britain, and across the world. It is so important to utilise Black History Month as a method of highlighting black experiences and black voices to the same extent that we look upon white British history.
After all, the history of our ethnic minority, and indeed the histories of the peoples of the former Empire, should all be considered a part of British history.
Alongside this, two things struck me during the service. The first was this, this event was a harrowing reminder that although we have accomplished a great deal, the scourge of modern slavery still lingers.
But secondly, it made me think of the message of hope which this could send to the young children of Burnham and Bucks.
That no matter where you come from, you can have a impact in huge and unexpected ways.
In these troubling times where, young people are being affected so much by the current crisis, I’d like to resoundly reaffirm this message of hope.