and considered the issues raised by the COBG position statement. A number of points were discussed and noted by the Deputy Chief Executive with the aim of taking them back to the Bristol Partnership for approval. Chief amongst the concerns were issues of : the sentivities of "celebration", the depth and sustainability of the city's plans, and the naming of the Bristol city-centre development as 'Merchants' Quarter'.  Some representatives also expressed concern for the lack of consultation with Afrikan communities, and consideration of the deeper sensitivities raised by the issue.

 

The city council representatives were keen to reach an agreement which would secure the co-operation of Afrikan Caribbean community in particular, and get their plans on track. The city council representatives was keen to ensure that the city marked the occassion appropriately, without offence to Afrikan-Caribbean people, while including and acknowledging other communities and ethnic groups.

 

Amogst the representatives of the Afrikan Caribbean community present, there were mixed views on the degree of co-operation that should be adopted with the city. While some thought it essential to work with the city's heightened interest in the issues of the Transatalantic slave trade and its legacy, others thought it was too late coming, and will be too-short-lived.  They were unanimous in the view that what ever was done to mark the bicentenary, any initiatives should have a deep and sustainable impact for the city and its people of Afrikan heritage in particular.

 

A number of ideas have already been generated through consultations and meetings held in various community and arts settings. Proposals cover a range of ideas across education, arts and media, monuments and gestures, and making strategic national and international links. Other ideas emerging have called for more sustainable impact to be made to address inequalities experienced amongst Afrikan heritage descendents of the Transatlantic slave trade.  

 

Ideas proposed have yet to be taken forward in any detail, as the city council and the Bristol Partnership have struggled to formalise and co-ordinate their commemoration plans,The COBG position has dealt a further blow to the city's agenda.

 

The COBG statement, announced at the Bristol Partnership meeting on 16th March, recommended that Afrikan groups do not get invovled in the council's plans and deemed them to be opportunistic and insensitive. That statement prompted the Bristol Partnership to establish this working group to look at the concerns and plans.

 

 

Discuss (Bristol/General) on Forum [other topics also available on Forum - home]