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Should Tony Blair apologise
for the Slave Trade?
Interviewed by Darko Antwi
In the Prime Minister's two page text published early this year in New Nation, he expressed sorrow in condemnation to the Transatlantic Slave Trade, which Britain played a major role. He also hoped the bicentennial would be well celebrated, except that he failed to apologise.
As the dawn of the celebration comes so close, is it necessary (as posed above) for Blair to redefine his sympathies or if you like regrets? The following are views Public Square gathered from Londoners.
Mark Oladossu, 38
IT Consultant
Barnet
'If Tony Blair has written about his dissatisfaction of slavery to the whole world I think we have to spare him the apology. He has committed no crime for anyone to ask for apology or whatever you may term it.'
Kofi Anane, 51
Estate Agent
Edmonton
'Well, em, an apology is no harm. It will go to win hearts and wipe someone's tears. But looking at it from another angle, the PM has no direct connection to the evil of slave trade. You know, I can't hang it on his neck.'
Evans Peterson, 29
Banker
Croydon
We are living in a period that is about 200 years away from the times of the incident. But bruv, the descendants of those slaves, like me, could still be with the pain - one way or the other. Of course it has a lasing effect. And apology will do.'
Pamela Wright, 32
Hairdresser
Hackney
'I can understand why Blair wont back down on Iraq. It's political! To say sorry at the bicentennial will not make him any less a Labour gentleman. Give him some history books to read and he'll change his mind.'
Sadina Ali, 20
Student
Camberwell
'I think if he says sorry, it'll mean so much though. It's respect to the black people. I can't say much. Thank you.'
David Mutumba, 43
Factory Labourer
Tottenham
'No apology, no. I read Blair's article. It has enough passion to appeal to whoever is aggrieved. At least he doesn't condone to the atrocities of his forefathers. So that is synonymous to the apologies one would expect.'
Next topic for discussion: Multiculturalism or Integration: which should UK embrace?
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