Andy Burnham's article published in the Guardian on Friday acknowledges Manchester's reliance on enslaved labour but focuses on positive moments in history. The reality of Manchester's relationship with enslavement is something that we as a city are yet to fully appreciate and are only slowly beginning to unravel.
PM's response to enslavement calls 'leaves space for greater depth'
UKPulse News DeskAndy Burnham's article acknowledges Manchester's reliance on enslaved labour but focuses on positive moments in history.
- Manchester's cotton industry was built on the labour of enslaved people
- The region's former mayor, Andy Burnham, focused on white abolitionists and working-class solidarity in his response to calls for full recognition and reparation
Why this matters: Understanding our local or national relationship with enslavement requires a more nuanced approach, considering the true scale and reality of this history.
What this means for you: This has implications for how we understand our city's past and its ongoing impact on our present.