This is a difficult post to write.
When I signed up for the tour, I saw that we had “several hours” in Liverpool between Wales and Cumberland and I immediate hit the travel sites to see what we would do with our unprogrammed time.
The Beatles, obviously. Or the Tate Museum. Or the International Slavery Museum….as I read those words a chill went up my spine. Of course I had to visit that exhibit. Every fiber of my being said I had to visit it. Fortunately my progressive husband (who also likes the Beatles) didn’t argue; he was all for it, even as I second guessed myself and wondered why on earth would I want to see such a place while on vacation.
My world perspective was rocked. First, by the accounts of modern people, from every race and country, who had been sold or trafficked into slavery.
Second, by the well documented section on the historical global slave trade, which for the first time made me realize the economic impact of the practice. The untold wealth generated by unpaid humans who were ripped from their homes and bred to provide an unending supply of more workers.
The last few years have brought media attention to economic injustice and the racist institutions that perpetuate generational poverty – I’m not an expert nor am I personally affected by this. But I know that it exists, and the exhibit at this museum brought home the truth.
I’ve heard a lot of people dismiss U.S. Slavery by saying “well, slavery still happens today” like that cancels out the past. It doesn’t. It can’t be swept aside like it’s history with no lasting impact.
It’s a big issue and I have no answers for fixing it, but I am learning. I appreciate the opportunity to learn. It was so important for me to know this.
And when I was shaking with rage and horror, I went to second floor to the Titanic exhibit to cheer up. It was that impactful.
Corgi and a Cuppa Tea 