University Professor Verene Spepherd accepts a plaque from Prime Minister P.J. Patterson on Monday at the launch of plans to observe the abolition of the transatlantic slave trave. With them are Andrew Holness, Opposition Spokesman for Education, and Minister of Education Maxine Henry-Wilson. - RICARDO MAKYN/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
ON MAY 1,1807, the British Parliament passed a law abolishing slave trading in its colonies, ending almost 200 years of the transatlantic slave trade in the Americas.
Two hundred years to the day, the Jamaican Government will recognise the milestone with a series of commemorative events.
On Monday, Prime Minister P.J. Patterson announced the establishment of a committee, to be chaired by University of the West Indies Professor, Verene Shepherd who will oversee the events.
According to Mr. Patterson, recognising the abolition of the slave trade is as significant as the emancipation of slaves which took place in 1834. He said one of the objectives of the bicentenary is to make Jamaican youth aware of the struggles of their ancestors.
Professor Rex Nettleford, vice-chancellor Emeritus of the University of the West Indies, who also spoke at Monday's launch, said that there was still a reluctance in some quarters of Caribbean society to accept that slavery continues to have an impact on the region.
