“The past is a foreign country; they do things differently there.” Removing the Eraser: Webinar 

Or do they? Building on the in-person Removing the Eraser panel event held earlier this month, USPG and the Diocese of London expanded the conversation globally with a webinar for Black History Month. Voices from Africa and the Caribbean came together to explore how Black histories and identities have been overlooked and how, in many ways, things haven’t changed. 

Hosted by The Revd Cathrine Ngangira, we were delighted to be joined by The Rt Revd Dr Dalcy Badeli Dlamini, Bishop of Eswatini, and Kevin Farmer, Executive Secretary of the Codrington Trust in Barbados both of whom championed the importance of confronting the past to create a hopeful, truthful path forward. 

“There is a danger in a story that is told from only one perspective,” Introduced The Revd Catherine Ngangira,  reflecting on her own education, where African history was never taught to her black European contemporaries, in the way that European history had been taught to her.  A reality true for many of us. Bishop Dalcy spoke too of how systems of power continue to shape societies today. Tribalism, she noted, allows privilege to thrive while marginalising cultures rooted in interdependence.  

These reflections set the stage for a wider conversation with Kevin Farmer, who traced similar legacies in the Caribbean, where the transatlantic slave trade uprooted millions of Africans and systematically sought to erase their cultures and identities.

“Our history must be continually interrogated, because it still shapes life today,” he said, noting the irony: the past may feel like a ‘foreign country,’ yet its impact is very much present. 

Religion, he also noted, had often been used as a tool of empire. “Some bishops even owned slaves”, he reminded us. “This is why the Church must now face its own complicity with honesty: We believe in faith. We believe in repair. We therefore can’t ignore the past.”. There were interesting discussions about what this looks like at a parish level developed in the Q&A session afterwards. 

Both speakers underlined that the consequences of colonisation remain deeply embedded. In Eswatini, Bishop Dalcy pointed out, the country’s legal system still bears traces of Roman-Dutch law from the seventeenth century, while education under apartheid sought to limit opportunity and ambition.  

Turning to signs of hope, Farmer called for greater connection across the Global South, urging participants to speak truth to power and to build solidarity across regions and communities. “How often do people in Barbados connect with people in Eswatini?” he asked, gesturing amicably to Bishop Dalcy, “Forums like this are opportunities to dream together.” 

As the discussion drew to a close, Revd Cathrine Ngangira reminded participants that transformation begins with listening. “Listening puts us in places that feel uncomfortable,” she said, “but it’s important. We all have a role to play.” 

To find out more and play your part: 

• Watch the full recording of Removing the Eraser Globally below. 

• Explore more Black History Month resources and reflections on the USPG website.

• Find out more about The Codrington Project here: https://uspg.org.uk/codrington-project/