Students urged to join Reparations fight after ‘The Color of Slavery’ film

A small group of secondary school students, their accompanying teachers, and representatives of various African-based culture groups had the opportunity to view the award-winning film, ‘The Color of Slavery’.

The film is directed by Patrick Baucelin from Martinque who visited SVG to screen the film and interact with students.

The Color of Slavery examines the Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade and its effects on enslaved Africans, forced to work in the Caribbean. It is a historical documentary with reconstructed scenes, and saw close to 300 actors on set to tell the story of resistance and resilience of the enslaved population.

Baucelin, a native French speaker, was translated by Principal of the Union Island Secondary School, Darrel Williams. He said it was important to show the journey for enslaved Africans from their homeland to the Caribbean, and how they were treated.

“I wanted to show a realistic film of the true history of slavery that took place in the Caribbean. How they were brought here, and the different treatment that they would’ve undertaken.

“I think it is important to let the world know what slavery was all about and a true representation of what happened.

I think it also important that our young people have an idea of what slavery was within our nation.”

Minister of Education, Curtis King, applauded the SVG Media Unit for pulling the event together at short notice. Commenting on the importance of film screening for the students in attendance King said: “What impressed me most about the film was how the producer was able to capture that aspect of our history which reminds us of the resilience of our people”.

Also in attendance was representatives of the Caribbean Reparations Commission, and Minister King described the film as a “call to action” for youth to join the reparations fight.

“They [Commission] are engaged in a battle to ensure that those responsible for the atrocities will one day apologize, and that they would pay recompense. The overall impact of this production I’m hoping, will continue to resonate with those who participated today.”

To date the film has received about 68 awards in Europe and in the Caribbean.