Luton Council is proposing to change the name of a road in the town that has strong associations with slavery.
In recent weeks, following the tragic death of George Floyd, there has been universal reflection and reconsideration of memorials erected to commemorate significant public figures.
In many cases, where these individuals have been known to be associated with the slave trade or been in sympathy with racial views that are unacceptable today, decisions have been taken to make changes.
The council has identified a road in the town, Hibbert Street, named after a man with local ties, who was at the same time a wealthy plantation landlord in Jamaica where he owned and profited enormously from slaves.
In a statement the Council said: “Slavery was and is abhorrent. The treatment and condition of the slaves on his plantations in the early 19th Century is historically documented to be particularly inhumane.
“To honour such an individual whose wealth was built on this detestable practice runs totally contrary to the council’s stand on Black Lives Matter, its longstanding position on equality and the Luton in Harmony principles which celebrate the town’s diversity.
“The council is absolutely committed to social justice and celebrates and rejoices in the ways the richness the town’s many diverse communities have benefited us all. We recognise that living in harmony and valuing each other as individuals is not just a question of words, but of actions.
“We do not believe it is possible to maintain the town’s proud position of treating all equally while this individual’s name remains part of our landscape.
“The council has a strong sense of direction to totally eradicate all forms of inequality and tackle poverty by 2040 and whilst changing the name of a road may seem a small measure, we feel it is a positive step in the right direction on that journey.”
Councillor Leader, Hazel Simmons MBE, said: “The Triangular Slave Trade was an evil blight on humanity that robbed millions of Africans of their liberty and rights.
“To think that past generations profited from such unspeakable commercial activity is revolting and runs against everything Luton Council stands for today.
“At this time of deep reflection on past injustices it is not right that our present and future remain tainted by glorifying the darkness of the past.
“When we lit up the town hall a few weeks ago in support of the Black Lives Matter movement we made a commitment to the community to demonstrate this through actions, not just words.”
To change the name of the street the council is required by law to consult with residents living there and we plan to start this process in the coming weeks.
