No Spoonful of Sugar
by Timothy C. Morgan
A spoonful of sugar—not taken—helped bring down the global slave trade. Starting around 1791, abolitionists in Britain, with Quakers at the forefront, boycotted the sugar that slaves produced on Caribbean plantations. At the time, refined sugar was Britain's largest import and a crucial link in the global economic exploitation of human beings in sugarcane fields.
The genius of the sugar boycott was that everyone could understand it and anyone could participate. Some 300,000 Brits made common cause through the boycott. In response, retailers soon offered sugar "ready for sale, produced by the labor of freemen." Sales soared. The boycott's success became one of many factors that 200 years ago led the British to abolish the trading of slaves.Slavery is larger than ever. Tea with sugar may not be a "blood-sweetened beverage" in 2007, but hidden links to modern slavery may be in the clothes we wear or the food we eat.
[Christianity Today presents] a package of articles on modern-day slavery and slave trading, also known as human trafficking. ...Mark Moring, CT Movies editor, assesses Amazing Grace, the new feature film on Wilberforce.
Why devote so much attention to this topic? Slavery is larger than ever. Tea with sugar may not be a "blood-sweetened beverage" in 2007, but hidden links to modern slavery may be in the clothes we wear or the food we eat.
Beginner's Guide to Abolitionist Activism
Make a call.
Phone 1-888-428-7581 if you see someone being forced to work or held against their will. The U.S. Department of Justice operates this hotline.
Give a dollar.
Faith-based groups that fight slavery include the Salvation Army, World Vision, International Justice Mission, and Make Way Partners.
Read a book.
Many new titles on the market focus on either abolitionist history or modern-day slavery. Two of my favorites are Amazing Grace (Eric Metaxas) and Woman, Child for Sale (Gilbert King).
See a movie.
The feature film Amazing Grace, based on the life of Wilberforce, opens nationwide on Friday, February 23.
[View Film Clips From Official Movie Website Here.]
Sing a hymn.
On Sunday, February 18, Christians worldwide will sing "Amazing Grace" to commemorate the British parliament's vote...
This excerpt is quoted from Timothy C. Morgan's article,
"No Spoonful of Sugar" published by Christianity Today.
Related 
1. CT Movies' review of the film Amazing Grace will appear on Friday, February 23, 2007.
2. If you're passionate about politics or social change but don't know where to jump in, take a look at this excellent article, "What Would Wilberforce Do?"
3. Here is a comprehensive list of related articles by CT on abolistionist William Wilberforce and the grim realities of global child sex trafficking.4. Read the story behind John Newton's famous hymn "Amazing Grace."
Are you planning to take your family to see this movie? Photo Credits: Taniwha, roboppy (Flickr), & The Amazing Change.
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11 COMMENTS:
I just saw the trailer for it for the first time on Sunday. It looks amazing. I need to find out a bit more before I let my children see it (but it looks okay...). How cool is this???
I'm in and out fast, more soon, later :).
To be honest, this is the first time I have even heard about this movie. We don't have outside t.v. so I have to say I'm not up on the movies that are being shown.
Wow, what a lot of great information here! Can't wait to see the movie.
And to think tea was also the start of something big for all those Boston colonists in America in the 1700's.
I'm actually very intrigued to see this movie - you being the 2nd blogger I've heard about it from.
I possibly would take my family to see this depending on what age it would be best for. I'd love to see it though...
My English friend, Millie, who stops for tea, daily, said this is when the British began stirring jam into their tea, instead of sugar.
I'll catch it some time, probably not until it's out on dvd.
robin: Yes, it looks like a great film! (I believe it's rated PG.) I'll be over to see you again soon.
lori: I hope you have a chance to see this. :~)
rachelle: Thanks for stopping by!
kamryn: Historically, tea has been an amazing commodity... Thanks for visiting. :~)
amy: I hope you can go!
leftcoastonlooker: Really? Jam in tea? I've never heard of that. Thanks for the info!
Isn't it splendid that more Christian films hit the mainstream theaters now.
I know that slavery is very much still part of our society, which really saddens me. Thank you for the information where we can get involved.
I didn't know the 'back-story' of Amazing Grace (I was just singing it yesterday)--I think it is a very powerful song.
Thanks again for all the information.
Blessings to you and yours.
eph2810: Yes, it's so great that Christian films are becoming more available!
I'm happy you found this information useful. Like you, modern slavery saddens me deeply. As older Moms, I'm thinking that we have more time to get involved in troubled areas of the larger world. (I intend to do something myself in this arena.) Also, I'm pleased you learned a little about the background behind our beloved hymn, "Amazing Grace." Blessings! :~)
I have always been fascinated by Wilberforce. It is amazing what God can accomplish through the life of a single man. I have read, in the past, some of these heartbreaking accounts of modern day slavery. Thanks for bringing this to the forefront. I'd love to see the movie, but there is only one movie house in the nearest large town (40 miles away) and they have a very limited offering. I'll probably have to wait until it comes out on DVD. We usually only go once a year to the movies. It takes something spectacular to make us spend that much money!
laurie: The DVD option sounds like a good one for you and your family. Modern day slavery is a serious issue that I think Americans tend to overlook. Thanks for your interest and concern. :~)
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