My name is Helen Wilson. I’m a Black Artist from Easton Bristol.
I have two children.

I’ve lived in Bristol all of my life. When I was young I knew very little about the slave trade, but growing up as a teenager I became aware of its importance through hearing people talk about Bristol’s history.

When people bring up the slave trade in Bristol, it always seems to stir up some kind of debate. It arouses passions, fears and prejudices. Some people – both Black and White – feels ashamed of Bristol’s involvement in the slave trade. Some people just want you to move on and not dwell on that negative aspect of Bristol’s past. And others get very passionate about the subject and want a more public acknowledgement of what went on in Bristol.

This project sets out to stimulate debate about the slave trade in Bristol and whether the city should establish a memorial site by 2007, the year in which there is a national commemoration of the abolition of slavery.

During the project, I interviewed many people – artist, historians, academics ‘ordinary’ adults and children-and learnt a lot from listening to their thoughts and opinions. Some people felt that they weren’t qualified to comment on the slave trade as they hadn’t read enough about it. But I feel that everybody should be able to voice their feelings and opinions on the matter. Many people I spoke to said there should be a more permanent reminder of Bristol’s slave trading past-for example a memorial garden where people can sit and reflect, and congregate on special commemorative days. What comes through loud and clear, however, is that there should not be simply one response – such as the siting of a public sculpture – but many different ways in which people can contribute to the commemoration.

I believe it is a healing process. People need to heal their wounds, and there needs to be a more visible acknowledgement that Black people have always contributed to the wealth of this city and will continue to do so in the future.

Overall, it’s a journey. I hope people can learn a small amount from this website, but also go deeper into the subject – as I have by reading more books and articles and listening to people about the slave trade and Bristol’s past. It’s important that we form our own views and don’t simply rely on what’s written and said by academics.