| March 25 marks the International Day of Remembrance for the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade. To honor this year’s International Day of Remembrance for the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade, a permanent memorial of the most horrific tragedies of modern history will be revealed at the United Nations Headquarters in New York. The memorial is entitled “The Ark of Return,” and is designed by Rodney Leon, an American architect of Haitian descent. The Ark of Return pays tribute to the courage of slaves, abolitionists and unsung heroes, while promoting greater recognition of the contributions made by slaves and their descendants worldwide. For over 400 years, more than 15 million men, women and children were the victims of the tragic transatlantic slave trade, and is being called one of the darkest chapters in human history. This year’s theme, “Women and Slavery,” specifically pays tribute to the strength of many enslaved women who endured unbearable hardships, including sexual exploitation, as well as those who fought for freedom from slavery and advocated for its abolition. It is estimated that one third of the approximately 15 million people who were deported from Africa through the Transatlantic Slave Trade were women. Enslaved women carried a triple burden. In addition to enduring the harsh conditions of forced labor as a slave, they experienced extreme forms of discrimination and exploitation as a result of their gender and the color of their skin. According to U.N. General Secretary, Ban Ski-Moon, the dangers inherent in racism must be made crystal clear to all. “The Ark of Return will bring home to people around the world the terrible legacy of the slave trade. It will help us to heal as we remember the past and honor the victims.” |