THE PEOPLE’S HISTORY SHOW, STV, 8pm
THIS is a special edition which focuses on Scotland’s role in the abolition of slavery.
Professor Geoff Palmer, a descendent of Jamaican slaves, says Scots might be surprised to find their ancestors were heavily involved in slavery, but can take comfort from knowing Scotland had an important role in ending the terrible trade.
He meets historian Stephen Mullen, who wanders through Glasgow’s Merchant City, whose handsome buildings were built by the Tobacco Lords and the “sugar aristocracy” who accrued unbelievable wealth from slavery.
It was great to hear Mullen’s unapologetic Glasgow accent, which hadn’t been put through the corrective cultural grinder normally required for Scots or people from northern England when they are on TV. Later we turn to abolitionist James McCune Smith, the first African American to get a medical degree at Glasgow, and the wider 1830s campaign in Scotland to end slavery.
GROWING UP WITH CANCER, BBC1, 7.30pm
NORMALLY I hate these programmes because I’m a coward and a snivelling hypochondriac. I fear they’ll affect me too deeply so I sneak away and watch repeats of The Simpsons instead. There’s nothing to fear from The Simpsons – except the horror of accidentally straying beyond Season 12.
We enter the Teenage Cancer Trust Unit at Glasgow’s Royal Hospital for Children and meet some teenagers whose attitude will put most of us to shame.
This place is full of colour and activity, with pool tables and areas to socialise. Declan says it’s “no different to hanging out with regular friends apart from the drips going off every five minutes”.
We also meet Natasha who attends five times per week – yes, per week – for chemo sessions, but refuses to feel sorry for herself.
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