In NANTES, Dieudonne Boutrin, a descendant of enslaved people in the Caribbean, and Pierre Guillon de Prince, whose ancestors were ship-owners involved in transporting enslaved individuals, have connected despite their contrasting family histories. Their paths crossed in 2021 in Nantes, a city that was once France’s largest port for transatlantic slavery, leading them to work together in raising awareness about the past and its ongoing impact on society today.
Originally from Martinique, Boutrin, now 59, moved to Nantes in the 1980s and it was then that he delved deeper into the harsh realities of slavery. He learned that between the 15th and 19th centuries, at least 12.5 million Africans were forcibly taken and sold into slavery by European ships, with an estimated 2 million perishing during the gruelling Atlantic voyage known as the “Middle Passage.” France alone trafficked approximately 1.3 million individuals to the Americas, including the Caribbean region.
“The more I delved into the history, the more my anger grew,” Boutrin shared. “This led me to devote all my energy to honoring these men and women.”
As the president of Coque Nomade-Fraternité, a Nantes-based association, Boutrin aims to confront the silence surrounding slavery through educational initiatives. Despite France recognizing transatlantic slavery as a crime against humanity in 2001, the French Foundation for the Remembrance of Slavery acknowledges the persistence of racism in society.
Several incidents of excessive force by the police against Black individuals in recent years have underscored allegations of systemic racism within the French law enforcement, as highlighted by human rights organizations. Boutrin’s association is presently fundraising to complete a project initiated in 2018, involving the construction of a replica of an 18th century slave ship. The replica will serve as a center for learning and understanding the harsh conditions faced by captive Africans during that era.
Boutrin and Guillon de Prince, aged 83, have joined forces through the association to conduct guided tours exploring Nantes’ historical ties to slavery, including stops at the city’s slavery memorial. Guillon de Prince, always aware of his ancestors’ involvement in the slave trade as ship-owners, embarked on a deeper exploration of his family’s past in 2015.
Through their collaborative efforts, they are encouraging other descendants to participate in a group they have established to continue their shared commitment to preserving historical memory. “I was afraid this history would fade away, so I want to pass it on to my grandchildren,” Guillon de Prince expressed. “Addressing issues of racism requires dialogue between descendants of both the enslaved and the enslavers.”
Globally, there is a growing movement advocating for slavery reparations, with reports indicating increasing support from African and Caribbean nations for the establishment of an international tribunal to address the atrocities committed during transatlantic slavery. This momentum reflects a crucial step towards acknowledging and rectifying the enduring impact of historical injustices.
(Reporting by Stephane Mahe in Nantes and Catarina Demony in Lisbon; Editing by Aurora Ellis)
