“Damaging impacts” of slavery continue to be felt – Gladstone heirs offers apology for slavery and indentureship

…Centre for Migration and Diaspora Studies launched

In their first step of correcting the wrongs of former slave owner John Gladstone in Guyana, his descendants on Friday offered a formal apology for their family’s involvement, while noting the dire impacts that continue to permeate society even today.

The University of Guyana and the Guyana Reparations Committee had invited members of the Gladstone family to participate in the launch of UG’s International Centre for Migration and Diaspora Studies.
Chair of the Guyana Reparations Committee, Eric Phillips, accepted the signed apology from the Gladstone family. Simultaneously, a silent protest was organized at the George Walcott Lecture Theatre as the apology was being handed over.
John Gladstone is the father of William Gladstone – four-time British Prime Minister. After the passage of the Slavery Abolition Act of 1833 by the Parliament of the United Kingdom, he received the largest of all compensated emancipation payments made via the Slave Compensation Act 1837 for the loss of his slaves. He is responsible for enslaving over 2,500 persons in Guyana.
Charles Gladstone, on behalf of his family, stated, “We wish to offer his sincerest apologies for his actions in holding your ancestors in slavery in Guyana…
“Slavery was a crime against humanity, and its damaging impact continues to be felt across the world today. It is with deep shame and regret that we acknowledge our ancestor’s involvement in this crime, and with heartfelt sincerity that we apologize to the descendants of the enslaved in Guyana. In so doing, we recognize slavery’s continuing impact on the daily lives of many.”
He also called on other descendants of slave owners to open discussions on their ancestors’ contributions to what is considered crimes against humanity, and discuss ways in which they can offer contributions.
“We understand that we cannot change history, but we believe that we can have an impact on the world in which we live. In apologizing for the actions of our ancestors, we hope to work towards a better future.”
Gladstone voiced support for the 10-Point Agenda for Reparatory Justice under the umbrella of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM): which speaks to repatriation, an Indigenous people’s development programme, the establishment of cultural institutions, eradication of illiteracy, development of an African knowledge programme, debt cancellation, among other things.
“We urge the British Government to enter into meaningful discussions with Caricom, so that both parties can move towards a better future together,” said the junior Gladstone.
The family will be creating a financial fund to assist various projects in Guyana in creating long-term relationships. The family also recognized John Gladstone’s role as one of the architects of bringing indentured immigrants to Guyana after the slave trade was abolished.
After slavery came to an end with emancipation in 1838, Gladstone proceeded to expel the majority of the newly-emancipated freedmen from his plantations and imported large numbers of indentured servants from British India as part of the Indian indenture system.
Quamina and his son John Gladstone, who led the 1823 Rebellion, were enslaved on Gladstone plantations. The University itself is founded on plantation lands upon which part of the revolutions were enacted.
The Gladstone ancestor is also recorded as “one of the initiators of schemes for the exporting of indentured labour to the Caribbean”. It is also indicated their ancestor John Gladstone, who died in 1851, might have owned the Whitby and Hesperus, the ships which transported the first East Indian Indentured to Guyana.

Compensation
One day prior, it was reported that President Dr Irfaan Ali had called for that apology to include compensation and reparative justice.
President Ali welcomed the Gladstone heirs’ apology, which he said was the first step in the process of reparative justice. He said it is an acknowledgement of the cruel nature of African enslavement and indentureship in Guyana, as well as an act of contrition that paves the way for justice.
“The apology offered by the descendants of John Gladstone underscores their willingness to confront their family’s dark past, and to acknowledge the immense pain, suffering and indignities inflicted upon innocent persons through their family’s actions,” the Head of State was quoted as saying.
According to the President, the Gladstone family has already admitted that it benefitted from African enslavement and indentureship on the Demerara and other plantations owned by its patriarch, and has agreed to undertake certain actions.
To this end, he declared, “I therefore propose that the intended apology include issues of compensation, reparative justice, and those involved to be posthumously charged for crimes against humanity.”
Based on historical records, John Gladstone was an absentee owner of plantations in Jamaica and Guyana who built on his wealth earned from the mercantile trade in India, the United States, and the West Indies. After British seizure of the colonies that became Guyana in 1803, John Gladstone began to invest in them. His interests and acquisitions included, at one time, the plantations at Belmonte, Coverden, Hampton Court, Industry, Met-en-Meer-Zorg, Success, Vreed-en-Hoop, Vreedenstein and Wales.
Despite the 1823 Demerara Slave Revolt at his plantation at Success, Gladstone was not deterred from expanding his investments in the then British Guiana. At the time of slavery abolition, he received compensation which at today’s value is estimated at more than £10 million, while the freed Africans received nothing.

Silent protest
As the programme was ongoing, a group of persons flocked the back bleachers inside the George Walcott Theatre, displaying placards in protest to object and share their concerns as to why they believe it’s not enough at the time. Briefly speaking with reporters, one of the protesters said he believes the real apology must be accompanied by substantial actions.
Additionally, African activist Nicole Cole said an apology is not enough, but added that it is a step in the right direction.
Chairman of the Guyana Reparations Committee, Dr. Eric Phillips, accepted the apology from the Gladstone Family.
Meanwhile, commenting on the protest and the objections of the protesters, Eric Phillips, executive member of the African Cultural and Development Association and the Repatriations Committee, said everyone has a right to protest.
“We welcome it, but we have to understand our history.”

<<Diaspora studies>>
The University of Guyana on Friday launched its International Center for Migration and Diaspora Studies, in collaboration with the National Reparations Committee. It will be focusing on research and data analysis for slavery and indentureship.
The Diaspora and Migration Centre is set up to pursue five specific areas of research interest, including Diaspora and Migration in and around Academia; Youth, Technology and Vulnerable communities; Indigeneity; Indentureship and Slavery as specific and integral aspects of dispersion.
UG Chancellor Professor Edward Greene noted that the new institution would foster belongingness and healing, explore the intersections of diaspora, and place greater emphasis on the future of youths.
“I can imagine that the Center would help the University to project achievements in terms of new standards, adopt policy proposals, promote ambitious cooperation programmes, and identify and disseminate good practices. But there are other important spinoffs and expectations that should also be of benefit to Guyana’s overall concern,” said Professor Greene.
Head of the Diaspora Unit, Rosalinda Rasul, said the importance of research and data collection to guide decision making and to heighten the awareness of changing dynamics with migration is paramount.
“The Government of Guyana recognizes the importance and power of its diaspora and their work as investors, philanthropists, lobbyists, ambassadors, and agents of change. The Government recognizes their capacities and resources that contribute to social and economic development,” she said.
The Centre will, on Monday, launch a suite of courses on migration studies. This undertaking is supported by the Canadian Embassy and UNICEF. (G12)