Talks & Resources
Documentary, recorded Q&A and toolkit for churches wishing to explore how the 18th-century Church became embroiled in chattel slavery and to consider reconciliation today.
The Movement for Justice and Reconciliation presents, AFTER THE FLOOD: THE CHURCH, SLAVERY AND RECONCILIATION. This 67 minute feature documentary shows how the 18th century Church became embroiled in chattel slavery. We discover how the Church justified its involvement in the trade and its lasting impact. The film then explores what this means for Christian reconciliation today. Watch the trailer above.
A screening of the powerful feature documentary After the Flood was held on 9th March 2024 at Cedars Hall, Wells. This Wells and Transatlantic Slavery event was organised by the following organisations in particular: Diocese of Bath and Wells, Wells Cathedral, Somerset African Caribbean Network, Movement for Justice & Reconciliation (MJR), Wells Cathedral School who kindly hosted the event at Cedars Hall, and Wells Civic Society who kindly helped fund the event.
The Q&A that followed, featuring key voices from the film and community leaders, is also available to watch here.
Revd Alton Bell, Chair of Movement for Justice & Reconciliation (MJR), chaired the Q & A, and the panel consisted of:
Robert Beckford, Professor of Climate and Social Justice at Winchester University, BAFTA award winning film maker and the narrator of the film ‘After the Flood’.
Revd Prebendary Narinder Tegally, Diocesan Interfaith Adviser
Susann Savidge, Chair of Somerset African Caribbean Network
What can we learn from the past to address and end modern slavery today?
Professor Robert Beckford
How would you know when change has really happened?
Revd. Prebendary Narinder Tegally
What do you think would be the most powerful thing we can do in Wells to highlight the contribution of slavery derived wealth to the city’s prosperity today?
Susann Savidge, Chair of Somerset African Caribbean Network
How can we be creative about reparations?
Professor Robert Beckford
How is the clergy engaged with issues of racism and racial justice in Bath and Wells?
Revd. Prebendary Narinder Tegally
Is change possible in terms of racial justice within the Church?
Professor Robert Beckford
What was the driver to stopping the Bristol Brass Industry trade to Africa, and what can we learn from this to help us stop modern slavery today?
Professor Robert Beckford
Do you think the Colston statue should be put back on the plinth rather than hidden in the Museum?
Professor Robert Beckford
Has Jesus always been represented in Western art as a white man?
Professor Robert Beckford and Revd. Prebendary Narinder Tegally
How do you feel when you realise that the Church in England was involved in the buying and selling of black bodies?
Susann Savidge, Chair of Somerset African Caribbean Network
As an Asian priest, have you ever been ‘othered’ and how did you cope with it?
Revd. Prebendary Narinder Tegally
How should the money the Church gives for reparations be spent?
Professor Robert Beckford and Revd.
‘Still I rise’ poem by Maya Angelou
Read by Revd. Prebendary Narinder Tegally
Following the film screening, Wells Cathedral piloted a 4-week study group aided by the After the Flood workbook that is available from MJR to use as an educational resource alongside the film. Please contact [email protected] if you would to find out more.
The documentary and workbook were produced by the Movement for Justice & Reconciliation. Further details of how to host your own film screening and obtain a copy of the workbook are available here.
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