In 2007 a multi ethnic group of people came through Reading as part of a nationwide “march”, or walk, around the time of the commemoration of the official abolition of slavery in the United Kingdom and it’s dominions.
This was part of an ongoing ministry of reconciliation which had taken teams across Africa, Europe and the Americas.
(Images on this page, as will be evident, are not mine)
The simple model of the march was one of role reversal to underline the horror of the slave trade
Thus it was that those in chains and yoke were white and the “escorts” were black.
The team having walked from London, we joined them in Sonning to walk to Reading
then the next day on to Newbury
Gathering by the Mural opposite the Oracle, the Mayor and the Bishop both said a few words in recognition of the “march”
The imagery was powerful and some people found it profoundly shocking, occasionally even distasteful
