A campaign has been launched to change the name of a major British music venue named after a slave trader.
The 150-year-old Colston Hall in Bristol has hosted major artists like The Beatles, Louis Armstrong and David Bowie and Bob Dylan under its present name.
But campaigners object to the associations with the slave trade – a major source of wealth for Bristol in the days of the British Empire – and want it to be renamed.
Activists under the name “Countering Colston” are calling for the venue to be called Freedom Hall instead.
The campaign follows similar efforts on US campuses to rename buildings associated with historical figures.
Yale recently agreed to rename Calhoun College – named after former US Vice-President John C Calhoun – because of his avowed white supremacism and defence of slavery.
Princeton is also under renewed pressure to scrap the name of its Woodrow Wilson School of Public Affairs over the former President’s racism.
Among those backing the move to rename Colston Hall are MTV award-winning group Massive Attack.
Kate Finnigan-Clarke, of Countering Colston, told the Daily Telegraph: “It is wrong that he [Colston] should be honoured by having a prestigious cultural venue named after him.”
There has, however, been a negative reaction to the plans from many local residents, many suggesting that changing the name would be an act of historical vandalism, and would whitewash history.
Local councillor Samuel Waite said “let’s hope the powers that be don’t bow to political correctness”.
Edward Colston made his fortune through the slave trade, and became a noted philanthropist. Also named after him is Colston Girls’ School, which the Countering Colston campaign also wants renamed.
Featured image via Flickr/Sam Saunders
