It was an interesting 12 months, with 2007 being the Bicentenary of the so-called Abolition of the Slave Trade Act of 1807, I emphasize Act, because that’s all it was, an Act. It was interesting how the British State and media handled 2007, from the lack of an apology for slavery to the sudden interest in the deaths of young black men, which is normally the reserve of local newspapers.

Over the last year, there has been a systematic increase in the amount of negative propaganda about Afrikan people in general. It seems that Britain is eager to distance herself and distract the general public from understanding her pivotal role in its ‘trade’ of enslaved Africans and as the leading Instigator and supreme benefactor of this crime against humanity, which was brought to the forefront during 2007. However, this did not detract from the excellent work of our Grass Roots organisations who did much to counter this onslaught, with talks, presentations and events taking place well in advance of the Bicentenary after correctly suspecting what was about to take place.

I personally started to prepare after I received an email from a friend regarding some workshops taking place at South Bank University by the Pan Afrikan Society in conjunction with Truth 2007, challenging the lies about William ‘Wilberfarce’, the Hull MP and so-called Abolitionist, who is presented as our Saviour (as in the film Amazing Grace). These workshops were remarkable and really helped me to overstand the truth of the enslavement period and its continuing legacy. Not only was the truth told about the role Europeans played, especially Britain, but the myth of Wilberfarce was also finally put to bed!

Some of the organisations that did a lot of work to counter the 2007 Bicentenary lies were 100 Black Men, Akebulan Revivalist Movement and Nubeyond who held a series of workshops and presentations examining the truth about our experience during the enslavement period. For me, 2007 was very much like being a student again, but this time around I’m wide awake, eager and hungry to learn! For I am learning about myself for a change, and being taught by people who look like me!

Several presentations by Robin Walker, the Historian and Author of “When we ruled” over in Clapham, went a long way to re- educating our people about who and what we were long before the transatlantic age. Nubeyond’s Black Fridays Reasoning sessions held over in Catford allowed us to dig deeper into the British media and State’s role in this mis-education and all other aspects of our experience. We were also edutained by the likes of Paul Obinna with his incredible Time Line, which illustrates our 6,000 year history; every Afrikan needs to have this in their homes and should study it well! Further presentations from Dr Hakim the Film Doctor, Sista Sandra Richards, Anthony Browder and Twilight Bey, helped with our overall overstanding and possible solutions to our situation.

Another exceptional event to take place for me, was the screening of The “MAAFA” (Swahili word meaning ‘great disaster’ or ‘tragedy’) Truth 2007 documentary by the Ligali Organisation, produced and directed by Toyin Agbetu the founder and courageous brother who stood up for his people during the memorial mass for the 2007 Bicentenary. This film is a monumental work, telling our story thoroughly, with highly researched accounts and interviews with leading activists. Several screenings took place all over England with packed houses; our people are hungry for the knowledge.

Later on in the year we had Afrikan Liberation Day and Marcus Garvey Afrikan family Day, which again allowed for Afrikans to come together to celebrate, reason and pay homage to our great leaders and Ancestors who worked towards the liberation of our people.

So in light of the above, I am feeling very positive for 2008, in seeing the continuing trend of growing audiences for talks and lectures presentations about our history, culture and spirituality and not just focusing on the transatlantic age but our history and achievements before this horrific period. It is always encouraging for me to see the turn outs for these gatherings, which are truly uplifting and nourishing for the soul. I am looking forward to attending more workshops this year, and hope to participate actively myself, I have got the bug! Another positive development I am seeing are organisations getting financially organised and introducing financing schemes, this is a trend that I hope will really take off, and is in perfect tune with the Honourable Marcus Garvey’s philosophy of self reliance. Let’s hope we continue to do our part and support these organisations either financially or by giving up our free time and using our skills to help them develop.

Panyin Aikins