Happy New Year to you. I've been back to work now at the Lit and Phil for two weeks and it's been difficult to get a book open and do some research. Its been meetings galore, with all those people who are interested in the research, planning to do their own research, event or project surrounding the region's involvement with the slave trade and abolition.
I should be pleased.
Just like I should be pleased by the number who turned out for the first real event in the North East to mark the anniversary; the talk given by Hazel Edwards and Elizabeth O'Donnell at Cafe Scientifique, the other week. But I left that gathering worse for wear I must say. And it was because of the number if people who seemed to have their own agenda's, who seemed to be selfishly using and abusing this year to further their own needs and wants, ideals and opinions.
I fear that the real focus of 2007 is going to be lost.
People may say that being the Writer in Residence at the Lit and Phil is furthering my own writing career. Or that the funding identity on tyne has got for the Roots Initiative is being used as a smokescreen to develop the first black centre for literature in the North East.
I say let them say it, as I know that I am not losing sight of what is important about 2007 and it is about revealing a hidden history, revealing a much clearer picture of the slave trade and the abolition movement within the North East. And using this to gain some understanding of our humanity and how we treat one another.
All this information, stories, facts and sources have been here all a long, available to any one who chose to take a look. The only difference now is that we have the time, energy and impetus to look today, or tomorrow, or next week. And then share it. And that's all I want to do, if only I could get some time away from all these meetings.
