An Amazing Legacy

February 01, 2007

By Brian Hobbs

With February being home to Black History Month and Presidents Day, it is an especially good time to celebrate heroes for humanity. This year, I am pausing to admire an unsung hero.

I refer to William Wilberforce, the British parliamentary leader who spearheaded the abolition of the slave trade in 1807. Friday, February 23, marks the 200th anniversary of the abolition of the slave trade in the British Empire. It is on that day in which a new motion picture debuts about this great man.

Amazing Grace tells the story of Wilberforce as he guided Britain to put an end to the barbaric practice of the slave trade and ultimately slave ownership itself in 1833. It would take America another 30-plus years and cost some 623,000 lives to do likewise.

The film takes its name from the popular hymn composed by John Newton, a close spiritual mentor to Wilberforce. Indeed it was not until Wilberforce experienced a Christian awakening in 1785 that he realized his grand purpose in life and embarked on a 20-year effort in parliament to end the slave trade.

But he did not act alone. He was aided by some of the most capable men and women of his day, including William Pitt the Younger and his own wife, Barbara Ann. My favorite of his fellow abolitionists is Thomas Clarkson, whose famous slave-ship drawing shocked the conscience of an apathetic generation.

In the end, though, it was Wilberforce himself - with his unparalleled oratorical ability and sense of purpose - who persevered to bring about the end of the slave trade, and ultimately abolition of slave ownership itself. Although a wealthy aristocrat, Wilberforce's path was not easy. He endured numerous battles with poor health, death threats, and - perhaps most costly of all in a day and age that greatly esteemed honor - he risked his own reputation on behalf of the weak and powerless.

On Sunday, February 18, many churches throughout the world, including more than a dozen in Oklahoma, will hold "Amazing Grace Sunday," in which they sing the hymn. This enthusiasm is indicative of many groups wanting to adopt the Wilberforce legacy.

One such group is the "Amazing Change Campaign," which seeks to complete Wilberforce's life work of ending the slavery, a practice which surprisingly lingers in many parts of the globe today. United States Senator Sam Brownback has even been referred to as a "Wilberforce Republican" due to his desire to alleviate suffering. The pro-life movement, also working toward a form of abolition, has also been inspired by Wilberforce's efforts, as have state-based think tanks such as OCPA and the Mackinac Center in Michigan, which has made Wilberforce the subject of many of its writings.

A strong argument could be made for each of these as to who is the true heir to his legacy. But as is the case with any outstanding hero, there is room for many to be inspired. To that end, I hope all who read this will see Amazing Grace this month, a time to celebrate all heroes for humanity.

Hobbs (MBA, Oklahoma City University) is director of marketing and public affairs at OCPA.

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