Black Lives Matter Shakes The 'Slave' Island Of Goree In Senegal

Goree Island (Source: Commons Wikimedia)

JAKARTA - The echo of the "Black Lives Matter" (BLM) solidarity movement continues to reverberate. The Authority of Goree Island, Senegal, which for centuries served as a transit point for the trans-Atlantic slave trade has now changed the name of the town square known as Europe Square because it bears the name racism.

Today, the name Europe Square has been completely changed to Freedom and Human Dignity Square. It was inspired by the BLM movement which prompted governments around the world to consider changing street names and removing statues with past sins perpetuating racism.

"The name Europe Square is, in a certain way, a symbol of friendship between people," said Doudou Dia, president of the Goree Island Tourism Commission.

"But we also tell ourselves, that in another sense it celebrates the persecution. What happened to George Floyd was the last," he added.

The square on the island of Goree, which is housed in the shadow of an old French fort, was officially named Europe Square in 1998. The naming is believed to be a form of recognition for the contribution of European countries in preserving the World Heritage Site that UNESCO established in 1978 .

Today, the square has been transformed into a popular tourist attraction with rows of historic houses. Which people know as the House of Slave. In fact, full-blooded world, such as several Presidents of the United States (US), Nelson Mandela, and Pope John Paul II had visited the place where the slaves transit before being sent to the US.

No wonder the name change was welcomed by local residents. A chef from Gore, Alssane Niang revealed that this step has been long awaited. “For me, it could be African Square. That would be even better because the majority who lived here were black. Senegalese-Africans deserve the square. "