Whilst Bristol has gradually begun to explore its direct relationship with slavery, from removing statues, challenging place names and hearing the voices of the Black community, Bath chooses to turn a polite blind eye and celebrate the connections with the Romans, spas and Jane Austin.  The wealthy, students and tourists may encounter the city’s poverty & homeless but its rather dirty secret is brushed aside.  I feel very privileged to live in Bath but hate the narrow view the city presents to the tourists.  This work is about addressing my feelings about our reluctant heritage

 

The rise of the Black Lives Matter campaign and a wider interest in black history led to the development in 2021 of a walk created by staff and students at University of Bath inviting you to discover the city’s complex links to transatlantic slavery. The aim is to guide you through the untold stories of the people who were involved in this system. More information at https://www.facebook.com/walkbathsuncomfortablepast/