(18j) Colonialism and why Europe still needs to apologise

Interesting article to read about the direct African-American slave trade that was approved just over 500 years ago by emperor Charles V and lasted for about 350 years although we still experience the consequences.

Consequences today: wars in Africa as leaders and their people were captured and leaderless societies became unstable while descendants of these black slaves are all over the continent America with the positive result of many different types of music such as rap, blues, R&B, samba and many more. Some white people remain racist who think white people are superior whereby they harm white people's reputation while many black people are angry for what happened to their ancestors but also because many still experience hostility and thus are not at the same level as white people in the country were both are born. Indeed, they are called African-Americans while white people are simply Americans as they are born in America and don't need to be reminded that their ancestors came from Europe. Therefore, I think Europeans should apologise.

Also important as a result of the discovery of America is not only the slave trade but also the almost complete extermination of the original American populations, i.e. many tens of millions of people. I admit, at that time people, including Europeans, didn't know much about immunity and diseases but again and again stories suggest the Europeans were only scared that their local slaves may die and for this reason imported African slaves while they continued to conquer and impoverish the local population. Even today those we call Indians are still much poorer than the invaders as Europeans took the best grounds for themselves to cultivate and descendants now claim they are the righteous heirs of those lands while they refused and still refuse to educate the original people how to increase yields so we can blame them for poor yields while Europeans destroyed their knowledge on how to farm. Similar in Africa. Therefore, I think Europeans should apologise.

Still, not only Europeans are to blame. Indeed, as the article mentions, also black people were involved as they captured and sold other black people as slaves to white people; this resulted in wars that continue up to today. But what could these people do to avoid enslavement themselves? Just as today many black African leaders accept corruption to become filthy rich while their citizens suffer and fight against each other to survive. These leaders could chose to defend their people although even that seems impossible. Indeed, western companies are still involved as many are located in Africa (and other underdeveloped places) to exploit the local people while enrich a few locals so the companies can gain maximum profits in the West where they sell their products expensive. When leaders refuse to collaborate with western companies, a coup can be organised to replace these leaders with more western-friendly leaders who accept bribes on condition they allow companies to exploit their own people. But even in the West, black people exploit other black people to become very rich instead of liberating each other. Yes, unfortunately but there is a reason why many black remain poor: many wealthy black don't use their powers to liberate other black people. Certain very rich black musicians are an example. But, don't tell or be called a racist.

Therefore, I think Europeans should apologise for all the harm done in the past and even up to today to people in almost every part of the world so white people can sincerely build better relations with those who feel disadvantaged. This also includes to prevent the exploitation of people in developing countries by western multinationals but also by international monetary funds that keep countries and thus also their citizens in poverty. Greece is an example how giving money resulted in an even poorer country. And, although also other societies mistreated other cultures, that is up to them to decide whether or not to apologise while white people need to apologise for the errors they made. Because, giving aid such as healthcare and education is not always sufficient if wrongs done are not acknowledged because than we allow that some continue to do wrong. And indeed, even today, slavery continues to exist and can only be stopped when we acknowledge it still exists.