With the growing tensions over racism in America, it is essential to revisit uncomfortable truths about history that are often ignored or deliberately suppressed. Central to this discussion is the role of Black Africans in the origins of the transatlantic slave trade, their ongoing migration to predominantly white countries, and the double standards perpetuated by movements like Black Lives Matter (BLM), which refuse to address these complexities.
This article explores why Black Africans sold their own people into slavery long before Europeans arrived, why freed Black slaves often chose to remain in America rather than return to Africa, and why modern migrations mirror a “slave trade 2.0.” It also examines the one-sided focus of the media on white-on-Black violence, the dismissal of Black-on-Black and Black-on-white violence, and the cultural self-hatred evidenced by Black men preferring white women over Black women.
To address racism honestly, all sides must acknowledge the historical roles they played and the lasting impact of those choices. True progress requires the courage to face facts, no matter how inconvenient or politically incorrect they may be.
The Slave Trade: A History of Complicity and Hypocrisy
The slave trade is not unique to any one race or region. For millennia, tribes and nations worldwide enslaved their enemies, turning captives into laborers, concubines, and commodities. Egyptians enslaved Hebrews, Romans enslaved Greeks, and Arab Muslims engaged in widespread slave trading across the Middle East and Africa. Yet, few acknowledge that African kings and merchants were active participants in the transatlantic slave trade, selling their own people to Arab and European traders.
Black Africans and the Arab Slave Trade
Long before European involvement, African tribes waged wars to capture and enslave rivals, often selling them to Arab Muslims. The Arab slave trade began as early as the 7th century and lasted well into the 20th century, with millions of Africans transported across the Sahara and the Indian Ocean. This historical reality is rarely acknowledged by modern movements like BLM, which focus exclusively on European colonialism and its effects.
The European Role in the Slave Trade
When European explorers arrived on the African coast, they found an established slave market. African leaders profited heavily from selling their own people, driven partly by the spread of Islam, which condoned and institutionalized slavery as a religious practice. European traders simply tapped into this pre-existing system, transporting slaves to the Americas to work on plantations.
Ironically, it was white Christians in America and Europe who ultimately fought to end slavery, often at great personal and national cost. The American Civil War, fought largely over the issue of slavery, saw white Americans sacrificing their lives to free Black slaves—something rarely acknowledged by critics who blame all white people for the institution of slavery.
The Aftermath of the Civil War: Why Freed Slaves Stayed
One of the most revealing aspects of the post-slavery era is the fact that the majority of freed slaves chose to remain in America rather than return to Africa. Despite the hardships they faced, they recognized that life in a white-majority country offered better opportunities than returning to an Africa plagued by tribalism, poverty, and political instability.
The Failed Promise of Liberia
Liberia, founded as a haven for freed African Americans, serves as a stark example of the challenges of “returning to roots.” While some freed slaves emigrated there, the majority stayed in the United States, recognizing that their future was brighter in a country shaped by white Christian values and infrastructure. Liberia, meanwhile, struggled with internal conflicts, corruption, and economic stagnation—issues that continue to plague much of Africa today.
Modern Migration: Slave Trade 2.0?
Today, the migration of Africans to white-majority countries echoes the patterns of the transatlantic slave trade. Desperate for better opportunities, many Africans risk their lives crossing dangerous waters to reach Europe or North America. However, unlike the forced migration of their ancestors, this is a voluntary exodus driven by the failure of African nations to provide stability, prosperity, and opportunity for their citizens.
Why Africa Fails to Retain Its People
Africa’s struggles stem from a combination of corruption, poor governance, and internal conflicts. Despite being rich in natural resources, African countries often fail to translate this wealth into national prosperity. Instead of addressing these issues, many African leaders rely on foreign aid while their citizens flee to white-majority nations, perpetuating a cycle of dependency.
Brutalities of Black-on-Black Violence
While BLM and the media focus on white-on-Black violence, the far more prevalent issue of Black-on-Black violence remains largely ignored. From gang violence in American cities to civil wars in Africa, the toll of Black-on-Black brutality is staggering.
African Civil Wars
The atrocities committed during African conflicts, such as the South Sudanese Civil War, are horrifying. Acts like mutilation, rape, and child soldier conscription reflect a level of brutality that is rarely discussed in global media. These crimes are perpetrated not by colonial powers but by Africans against Africans, undermining the narrative that external forces are solely to blame for Africa’s woes.
The Media’s Role in Perpetuating Division
The media bears significant responsibility for fueling racial tensions by selectively reporting incidents of white-on-Black violence while ignoring Black-on-Black and Black-on-white violence. This one-sided reporting creates a distorted narrative that vilifies white people while absolving Black people of responsibility for their actions.
Black-on-White Violence
Incidents of Black-on-white violence, including robberies, assaults, and even racially motivated murders, receive little to no media coverage. This deliberate omission feeds resentment and division, as white victims are denied justice in the court of public opinion.
The Profit Motive
By sensationalizing white-on-Black violence, the media capitalizes on the outrage and chaos it generates, increasing ratings and profits. This cynical exploitation of racial tensions undermines efforts to achieve genuine understanding and reconciliation.
Cultural Self-Hatred: The Preference for White Women
Another unspoken issue within the Black community is the preference of many Black men for white women over their own. This phenomenon, often justified as “personal preference,” reflects deep-seated issues of cultural self-worth and identity. By rejecting their own women, Black men perpetuate stereotypes of inferiority within their culture, further fracturing their community.
The Path Forward: Acknowledging the Truth
If America is ever to overcome its racial divisions, all parties must confront the uncomfortable truths about history. Black Americans must acknowledge their ancestors’ role in the slave trade and the ways in which their communities have contributed to modern racial tensions. White Americans, in turn, must continue to push for equality while holding the media and movements like BLM accountable for their divisive rhetoric.
Education and Honesty
True progress begins with education. Schools must teach an accurate and balanced account of history, highlighting the roles of all parties in the slave trade and the ongoing consequences of those actions.
Mutual Accountability
Both Black and white Americans must take responsibility for the present state of race relations. This means acknowledging past wrongs while focusing on building a future based on mutual respect, shared values, and a commitment to truth.
Conclusion: Can Racism Ever End?
America’s racial tensions are deeply rooted in history, but they are exacerbated by modern forces that prioritize division over unity. The media, Hollywood, and movements like BLM profit from perpetuating racial strife, making it unlikely that harmony will be achieved as long as these entities dominate the narrative.
However, there is hope. By addressing these issues honestly and fostering mutual understanding, it is possible to create a society where people are judged by their character rather than their skin color. The question is whether America—and the world—is ready to embrace this challenge.
