http://www.jamaica-gleaner.com/glean.../letters1.html
Though I cannot deny the fact that without the aid of fellow Africans, other Africans might not have been sold to the Europeans, I categorically state here and now that slavery in of itself was a terrible act. Xavier needs to check, re-check, and then examine himself. His take on slavery of the black man is stupendous and disappointing coming from a man who gave the impression that he is of the black diaspora.
Xavier obviously read alot about Africa, ruthless African leaders, famine, disease and dangers on the continent. But what he apparently failed to grasp or to comprehend, is the horrifying state under which the slaves in the world survived. Forced labour, whippings, separation of family, rape, in some instances 16-hour day labour, stripped dignity, lost identity, lost family tree, lost name, new diseases, torture, used as breeding stock and treated like animals are but a few of the things the black man endured during slavery.
Furthermore, many wealthy and established families (in Spain, England, Belgium, France and the USA) quite likely owe their wealth to the ill-gotten gains amassed from slavery.
For Xavier to say that no apology is necessary is akin to the house slaves in the Western World shouting out : ''Look master, they're planning to burn OUR house.''
Though I cannot deny the fact that without the aid of fellow Africans, other Africans might not have been sold to the Europeans, I categorically state here and now that slavery in of itself was a terrible act. Xavier needs to check, re-check, and then examine himself. His take on slavery of the black man is stupendous and disappointing coming from a man who gave the impression that he is of the black diaspora.
Xavier obviously read alot about Africa, ruthless African leaders, famine, disease and dangers on the continent. But what he apparently failed to grasp or to comprehend, is the horrifying state under which the slaves in the world survived. Forced labour, whippings, separation of family, rape, in some instances 16-hour day labour, stripped dignity, lost identity, lost family tree, lost name, new diseases, torture, used as breeding stock and treated like animals are but a few of the things the black man endured during slavery.
Furthermore, many wealthy and established families (in Spain, England, Belgium, France and the USA) quite likely owe their wealth to the ill-gotten gains amassed from slavery.
For Xavier to say that no apology is necessary is akin to the house slaves in the Western World shouting out : ''Look master, they're planning to burn OUR house.''
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