Plans for a major new memorial to the victims of the transatlantic slave trade in London have ignited a public debate over its significant cost and purpose. The Greater London Authority (GLA) has awarded a contract worth £1.1 million for a seven-metre tall bronze sculpture, sparking mixed reactions from residents about the use of public money.
A Monumental Tribute in a Historic Location
The artwork, titled 'The Wake', is being created by artist Khaleb Brooks and is inspired by the form of a cowrie shell—a currency used in the slave trade. It is scheduled to be installed at West India Quay in East London later this year or in 2027, directly outside the Museum of London Docklands.
This location is profoundly symbolic. The quay was a key entry point for goods produced by enslaved people in the 19th century. The memorial will stand just metres from where the statue of Robert Milligan, a prominent British slave trader, was removed in 2020. Unlike existing monuments that honour either traders or abolitionists, 'The Wake' will focus squarely on the experience and memory of the enslaved Africans themselves.
Public Opinion: A Clash of Priorities
When asked for their views, local residents and museum visitors expressed sharply divided opinions, highlighting a tension between commemorating history and addressing present-day needs.
Shaheen Rashid, a Limehouse resident, argued the expenditure was "unwise" given current economic pressures. "People are struggling to buy food, they're not well enough," he said. "When there's more financial stability all round, then we can think about it. At the moment, spending this kind of money isn't wise." He urged authorities to focus on increasing the standard of living for Londoners first.
In contrast, museum visitor Cathy Kirk believed the memorial represented "good money, well spent." However, she suggested the removal of the Robert Milligan statue might have been a missed opportunity for education. "It's important to keep these things standing as a conversation point," she said, proposing that both monuments could foster dialogue about historical and modern slavery.
Context and Controversy
The Museum of London Docklands had stated that the Milligan statue had "stood uncomfortably" outside its premises, representing a "problematic regime of white-washing history." Milligan, who owned sugar plantations and 526 enslaved people in Jamaica, was instrumental in building the West India Docks.
Another visitor, Hilary Blakely, called the new memorial a "very worthy thing to pay our respects to people that were treated so appallingly," though she acknowledged the £1.1 million price tag was a "lot of money." She praised modern museums for providing crucial context about Britain's historical links to the slave trade.
The debate encapsulates a broader national conversation about how Britain memorialises its complex past, who funds such projects, and how to balance cultural remembrance with pressing contemporary social needs. The unveiling of 'The Wake' is poised to keep this conversation at the forefront of London's civic life.
