Historian: ‘Influence of slavery underplayed in Cayman’

Descendants of former African slaves in the US can learn something here. Digging up the past is the pastime of idle troublemakers.

The legacy of slavery is likely underestimated in Cayman and has repercussions that still influence society today, according to a prominent local historian. Citing his own research, including more than 200 interviews with native Caymanians, Christopher Williams, a history professor at UCCI, said that many Caymanians continue to downplay the influence of slavery on the islands.

There were slaves working in Cayman, first on logging crews and later on cotton plantations, right up to emancipation in 1834. From 1802-1834, there were more slaves than free people in the islands.
Williams argues this means that Cayman was a ‘slave society’. However, more than 90% of people interviewed during his research – all of whom could trace their Caymanian ancestors back for three generations – believed that slavery was “not an important feature” in Cayman’s past.

https://www.caymancompass.com/2021/07/03/historian-influence-of-slavery-underplayed-in-cayman/

Some of the comments from readers :

Sad to read this attempt to create a feeling of victimhood about things that may have happened almost 200 years ago. It should not be given oxygen in our modern multicultural society.
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Can Mr Williams explain how slavery in the early 1800’s (when slaves were presumably owned by Caymanians), has produced discrimination against Caymanians in the workplace today?.
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This academic exercise of resurrecting old tribalism is all the rage in the US and is destroying any sense of community loved in Cayman. Is there anyone who works and strives for a better future for Cayman deterred by the color of skins of our people? There is more harm done to our sexual minorities in recent years than in Cayman 100 years ago but even that aspect of religious/political scapegoatism is on the wane. Do not let academics in politically-charged, subjective story-telling divide us!

Just never stops with these people does it?

The post that was quoted here has been removed

@rajk999 said
Descendants of former African slaves in the US can earn something here. Digging up the past is the pastime of idle troublemakers.

The legacy of slavery is likely underestimated in Cayman and has repercussions that still influence society today, according to a prominent local historian. Citing his own research, including more than 200 interviews with native Caymanians, ...[text shortened]... is on the wane. Do not let academics in politically-charged, subjective story-telling divide us!

@dood111 said
Just never stops with these people does it?

@rajk999 said
However, more than 90% of people interviewed during his research – all of whom could trace their Caymanian ancestors back for three generations – believed that slavery was “not an important feature” in Cayman’s past.

@vivify said
What's your point? There are people in the South who descended from secessionists who claim the Civil war wasn't about slavery, but was about "freedom". The list goes on:

https://www.latimes.com/books/jacketcopy/la-et-jc-texas-textbook-calls-slaves-immigrants-20151005-story.html

Schools in Texas taught that slaves were "immigrants", using terms like "workers".

What th ...[text shortened]... lieves isn't the same as what is factual. Just ask people who defend Biblical creationism as "fact".

@no1marauder said
The point is you shouldn't tell people facts that clash with right wing fairy tales because then they might not become gullible, right wing fools like the ones who dominate this Forum.

@mott-the-hoople said
The facts are neither you or vivify give a damn about slavery. Slavery here in the US ended long ago but is ongoing in many countries as we speak.

Havent heard a word about lebron james nike shoes made in china by slave/forced/child labor.

If slavery concerned you why do you give them a pass?

@vivify said
Yawn