White Debt
The Demerara Uprising and Britain’s Legacy of Slavery
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White Debt
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Narrated by:
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Ben Onwukwe
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Mark Meadows
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By:
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Thomas Harding
About this listen
When Thomas Harding discovered that his mother's family had made money from the slave plantations worked by people of African descent, what began as an interrogation into the choices of his ancestors soon became a quest to learn more about Britain's role in slavery. It was a history that he knew surprisingly little about - the myth that we are often taught in schools is that Britain's role in slavery was as the abolisher, but the reality is much more sinister.
In White Debt, Harding vividly brings to life the story of the uprising by enslaved people that took place in the British colony of Demerara (now Guyana) in the Caribbean in 1823. It started on a small sugar plantation called 'Success' and grew to become a key trigger in the abolition of slavery across the empire. We see the uprising through the eyes of four people: the enslaved man Jack Gladstone, the missionary John Smith, the colonist John Cheveley and the politician and slaveholder John Gladstone, father of a future prime minister. Charting the lead-up to the uprising right through to the courtroom drama that came about as a consequence, through this one event we see the true impact of years of unimaginable cruelty and incredible courage writ large.
Captivating, moving and meditative, White Debt combines a searing personal quest with a deep investigation of a shared history that is little discussed amongst white people. It offers a powerful rebuttal of the national amnesia that masks the role of the British in this devastating period and asks vital questions about the legacy we have been left with - cultural, political and moral - and whether future generations of those who benefitted from slavery need to acknowledge and take responsibility for the white debt.
PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.
©2022 Thomas Harding (P)2022 Weidenfeld & NicolsonListeners also enjoyed...
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance3 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- MS R.
- 13-01-24
Still seems a bit defensive
Definitely worth listening to as the political arguments for reparations gain ground. Other countries have made more progress than the UK, and it is not widely reported.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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- Kat P
- 12-07-24
Interesting Book
It’s horrible what people will do to other people. My knowledge around Britains history is rubbish and I am trying to educate myself. This book has definitely helped with that.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Darren Mason
- 15-02-23
Good slant on the slavery account
Took me a little while to get but once I did I was hooked.
Good arguments - good characters and great writing technique.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Justin Devereux
- 16-06-23
Superb
A detailed and thought provoking account of moments in colonial history often overlooked and moreover ignored. Fascinating and balanced- a superb read.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Dellyish
- 02-04-23
Fact Checked Story Telling at its Best!!!
This book took me by surprise and I listened to it very quickly, always feeling compelled to hear more. My OH and I have had some excellent discussion on the back of the content and I will be recommending it widely. This book has left me feeling even more pro-reparation than I did before reading it and I can articulate that more clearly now too.
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- Amazon Customer
- 16-03-22
Engaging retalling and examination
Whilst some of the horrors of slavery are common knowledge to many readers, this book give a greater understanding of the situation and factors at play. The book investigates the story of the Demerara uprising and its brutal suppression. It interweaves the stories of several key characters and interleaves reflection on what could or should be our response today. This book affects all of us as we reflect on our heritage.
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