A stolen plaque at Portchester Castle has reignited discussions about systemic racism, as descendants of African-Caribbean prisoners transported to Britain in the late 18th century condemn the act as part of a broader legacy of discrimination. The plaque commemorated the forced removal of 2,500 Black and Indigenous people from the Caribbean, including a delegation from Belize that recently visited the site to pay tribute. Families say the theft underscores the persistent erasure of their ancestors’ history and the ongoing impact of racial injustice across generations. The incident has prompted reflection on how historical oppression continues to shape contemporary attitudes.
Descendants say theft from Portchester Castle reflects spirit of racism that has haunted ‘generation after generation’The theft of a plaque in Hampshire that told the little-known story of African-Caribbean prisoners in 18th-century Britain reflects the enduring racism that has fuelled centuries of atrocities against Black and Indigenous Caribbean people, their descendants say.Drummer Ronald Raymond McDonald was part of a delegation that travelled from Belize and elsewhere to Portchester Castle last week to honour their ancestors: 2,500 men, women and children transported to Britain as prisoners of war in 1796. Continue reading...
