Feb 21 • 07:00 UTC 🇬🇧 UK Guardian

Antiques auction selling neck shackles accused of ‘profiting from slavery’

An antiques auction in Scotland selling neck shackles associated with the enslavement of African people has sparked controversy over the ethics of profiting from such historical items.

An auction in Scotland, hosted by Cheeky Auctions, is set to feature neck shackles linked to the enslavement of African individuals in Zanzibar, which has generated significant backlash over the ethical implications of profiting from slavery. The chains, dating back to the Omani-Arab trade in the late 18th century, have been valued at approximately £1,000. Auctioneer Marcus Salter has stated his intention to confront the historical significance of these artifacts, but commentary from local and cultural leaders has highlighted broader concerns about morality and exploitation in the auctioning of items tied to such a painful past.

Labour MP Bell Ribeiro-Addy, who advocates for African reparations, expressed her disapproval of the auction, indicating that selling these shackles is tantamount to continuing the legacy of profit derived from the slave trade. The reaction has sparked a public conversation around the responsibilities of auction houses and society at large in handling historical artifacts that are associated with oppression and exploitation. Local individuals, like retired lawyer Nigel Murray, have voiced their outrage, calling for a boycott of the auction house as a statement against commodifying a painful history.

This controversy raises important questions about the intersection of commerce, history, and ethics, particularly in contexts where colonial legacies continue to impact descendants of enslaved populations. As the auction approaches, this situation may provoke further discussions on reparations and the re-evaluation of how societies engage with relics of history that symbolize suffering and injustice.

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