Burns Night, celebrated by Scots in Scotland and around the world on or around January 25th, marks the annual commemoration of Scotland's national bard (poet) Robert Burns, who was born January 25th 1759.
Leading up to the annual celebration, media outlets will present the public with selective facts, eulogises, quizzes and even recipes encouraging all (even non-Scots) to pay tribute to Burns' legacy.
However, amongst the plethora of lauding there is little mention regarding Burns' plans and ticket purchase to emigrate to the slave plantations of Jamaica in order to make a fortune as a 'negro driver'. Not only was such a degenerate ambition in stark contrast to the perception of Burns as a champion of freedom, but it is also the likely reason why this, make-or-break topic concerning his seeming approval of the slave trade, is so neatly avoided by mainstream media channels.
The paradoxical twist that potentially lacerates this revered Caledonian is further explored in a rare and insightful article by Ian Allison of the International Business Times:
Paradoxical Bard
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