Amazing Grace, the story of abolitionist William Wilberforce.
Romance novels are often about fantasy – escapism from the harsh reality of the every day world but works of fiction, particularly historical romances, gives us the opportunity to explore the world as it was then and compare it to the world as it is now – the chivalry of medieval knights, the social pioneering of 18th Century reformers.
“And the man about to join them?” asked Selina, nodding at a distinguished but wan-looking gentlemen in his thirties now including himself in the group’s conversation.
“That is the Member for Yorkshire, Mr Wilberforce.”
“The abolitionist William Wilberforce?”
“The very same.”
– Moonstone Obsession
Thanks to the tireless efforts of English abolitionists, led by William Wilberforce, the abhorrent practice of human trafficking, of slavery has been abolished in the Western world.
We think very little of it today, apart from a little tut-tut of disapproval as we rewatch Gone With The Wind or cheer the blood-soaked vengeance of Django Unchained.
Slavery, both physical and intellectual, is a theme canvassed in Moonstone Obsession:
When William started to speak it was through clenched teeth.
“Have you ever seen a slave ship, gentlemen?”
– Moonstone Obsession
So much time has passed since The Slave Trade Act of 1807, that we tend to forget that slavery still exists today and just the past weekend was news of the the heartbreaking story of Traore who, along with many other families in Mali have only in the past couple of months been released from slavery just as brutal as that experienced by slaves of older times:
Traore was born into slavery. Her parents and grandparents were slaves of the same Tuareg family in a village 100 miles outside of Timbuktu. So were her three brothers and three sisters.
For as long as she can remember, Traore would wake up before sunrise to fetch water for the donkeys. At 10 years old, she was tending to the family’s small animals. As she got older, she would pound millet for lunch, cook, fetch wood and clean the house. She slept on the floor. She was paid no salary, received no education. She was given food, but even that depended on the appetites of her masters.
“After the family ate lunch, whatever was left in the pot, I ate,” Traore said. “After that, I had to make dinner and wash up afterwards. I went to bed only after the family went to bed.”
And if she was sick or tired, she would be flogged with sticks or whips made from animal skins, she said. “If the father beat me, the children would also beat me next,” Traore recalled matter-of-factly. “It was a very large family.”
Rather than being frivolous, the arts can illuminate great truths, tell the stories of real people and put a ‘face’ to men and women of history who would otherwise through the passage of years seem remote and like fictional characters themselves.
One great example of this is Amazing Grace an outstanding film that tells the story of Wilberforce and his fellow activists who risked social sanctions, their careers and in Wilberforce’s case, nearly his life to do what was right.
Sorry to be terribly serious on a Monday night, but if the plight of Traore and thought of children in other parts of the world living as slaves moves you, then consider joining, donating to, or otherwise publicising the work of anti-slave groups.
Another way you can help is to support organisations who feed, home and educate children in vulnerable communities. Doing this gives families options for their own sustainable and self-supporting future.
I am proud to support 100% Hope in Uganda, founded by the most amazing lady that I have ever had the pleasure to meet, teacher Trishelle Grady.