The following debate first appeared in the Voice Newspaper. Each week, I chair a debate with members of the Writers of Colour collective.

Even before he won Best Picture at this week’s 86th Oscar’s ceremony, British director, Steve McQueen’s mantelpiece was straining under the weight of awards including a Golden Globe and a Bafta.

12 Years a Slave, his presentation of Solomon Northup’s harrowing memoir of brutality under slavery, has everyone talking about this horrific period of human history again.

But is remembering slavery a vital part of understanding the world we live in now or a damaging ball-and-chain which keeps us stuck in the past? (more…)