One downside of the commemorations is that the emphasis on enslavement reinforces the belief that there was no African history before European domination. In many ways Africa is still a "blank space" in most European peoples' consciousness. The media carry images of conflict and famine, but there is very little coverage of the continent's history. Before slavery devastated vast areas of the continent, however, several European travellers recognised that, in terms of architecture, trading and systems of government, African societies were as advanced as their own. The west African empire of Mali, for example, was reputed to be one of the largest, richest and most powerful states in the world during the 14th century.
A consequence of the ignorance about pre-slavery Africa is that it is hard for Africans and African-Caribbeans to have an open, honest debate about the role of African traders in enslavement. Some questions are rarely discussed publicly, partly for fear of the use to which such debates may be put by those anxious to direct attention away from the brutality of Britain's slave-trading history.
Thanks to the Guardian for running the piece.
Technorati Tags: slavery, Africa, transatlantic, abolition
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