‘Calypso King’ hails slavery museum

Aug 23 2007 by Liza Williams, Liverpool Daily Post

‘Calypso King’ hails slavery museum

THE world renowned ‘King of Calypso’ was in Liverpool yesterday to raise awareness about the legacy of the slave trade.

Singer turned social activist Harry Belafonte travelled across the Atlantic to visit Liverpool’s new International Slavery Museum (ISM), which is set to open to the public today.

One of the most successful Jamaican musicians and actors in history, Mr Belafonte, who now lives in New York, is best known for his 1956 hit, the Banana Boat Song.

Now a campaigner for social equality and board member of the Trans African Forum, the 81-year-old arrived at the museum on Liverpool’s Albert Dock for a tour of exhibits.

“It is a good thing that Liverpool, a city central in one of the greatest evils the world has seen, slavery, has chosen to provide a facility that has global significance in educating people about it, said Mr Belafonte.

“The greatest problem we face in the 21st century is issues surrounding race and until people understand what happened we will never address that.

“The effect of the transatlantic slave trade on African and Caribbean countries is still huge today, the places have not recovered and black people, especially in America are still amongst the lowest paid in society.

“They have experienced life at the lowest rung of the ladder of human experience and this legacy has stayed with us.

“This will continue and the people who help it continue are the ones who profit from oppression.

“I urge the people of Liverpool to take advantage of this gift, it is of global significance and is a step forward.”

Also visiting the museum yesterday was Culture Minister Margaret Hodge, who was joined by Loyd Grossman, chairman of National Museums Liverpool. Gee Walker, whose son Anthony was the victim of a racist murder in July 2005, was also present to mark the facility’s contribution to the fight against racism.

NML has dedicated an education suite to the Huyton teenager and staff say its place amongst the exhibitions helps address the legacy of racism left by the slave trade.

Ms Hodge said she was impressed with the finished museum. “This is the world’s first international slavery museum and we should be very proud, I congratulate all the people at National Museums Liverpool.

“Being here and seeing the exhibits is a very moving experience, the whole of this year has been powerful because it is the bicentenary of abolition but we must remember it took 20 years to get that bill through parliament.

“I hope this will really be a living museum, where people can remember history, it should never be forgotten.”

Addressing Gee Walker and her family, the minister said: “This is a living memory of your son and the atrocious act that you had to come to terms with.”

A VIP dinner was held last night at St Georges Hall to mark the opening.

lizawilliams