Never be slaves

The Last Night of the Proms storm in a teacup over ‘ Rule Britannia’ and ’ Jerusalem’ is an object lessons in the foolhardiness of kowtowing to the racial grievance industry.

Does it really need pointing out how much “never, never, never shall be slaves!” feels to most Afro-caribbeans in the street, as opposed to Chi- chi Nwanoku seeking her 15 minutes of fame?

Written in the early 18 th century, it caught on due to the activities of the West African Squadron (1808-60), a detachment of the Royal Navy along with pirate ships under letters of marque which seized slavers and emancipated more than 150,000 African sd estined for the Americas.

One ship, HMS Black Joke (named after the bawdy song in Ho garth’ s“A Rake’ s Progress”) became a legend throughout the British Empire at this time. Manned by Royal Marines and West African members of theKrootri be (who suffered greatly from the activities of slavers), no other ship chased down slave ships so zealously, even when heavily outgunned.

Yet the deeds of the West African Squadron–once a source of humble pride as we were making amends for past wrongs – was systematically suppressed over time to spare the blushes of American and European nations which continued slaving long after we ceased. Whenever I hear ‘Rule Britannia’, I remember those who sailed, fought and died

not to line a purse, but so Africa’s daughters and sons would never be slaves.

MARK BOYLE Linn Park Gardens Johnstone, Renfrewshire