The Black race globally has struggled to heal from the HISTORICAL HUMILIATION brought upon them by slavery. Blacks suffered under the PAINFUL and DEMEANING chains of SLAVERY. The Black race remains the ONLY race enslaved by ALL other races of the world; if not Caucasians, it's Arabs or Asians. Under slavery, blacks outside Africa faced complete destruction of their CULTURE, IDENTITY, BELIEFS, and TRADITIONS, leading them to adopt those of their masters.
From early times, slavery was widely practiced by all nations of the world, even here in Africa, but the HORRORS of slavery were experienced by BLACKS outside Africa.
Here in Africa, 'slaves' were acquired through wars, people with a bad record in society, highly indebted people. But their PLIGHT was EASIER as nobody had authority over their life except the king or chief. Also in Africa, slaves could even become kings, and their children could be treated EQUALLY with the master's children. African slaves could even acquire skills which would be beneficial to them, enjoyed freedom of movement to wherever they wanted, and their culture, beliefs, and identity upheld. Could they be compared to their kins OUTSIDE Africa?
The first enslavement of Africans outside Africa was pursued by ARABS in what history records as the Trans-Saharan slave trade. Here, Africans were taken to the Arabian Peninsula and the Ottoman Empire where they TOILED on their farms. The majority of Africans were taken from East Africa and were famously called Zanjs 'the Bantus'. Slavery was later founded on African soil after the Sultan of Oman resettled to Zanzibar and expanded his sultanate through slave conquests. From Ibn Battuta's records, the Sultan of Kilwa RAIDED present-day Tanzania for SLAVES.
Up to now, HORRORS and CRIES of our brethren still HAUNT the slave dungeons in East Africa. Arabs practiced forceful kidnappings of Africans and enslaving them. To note also, there were Africans who NOTORIOUSLY BETRAYED and SOLD their African kin to Arabs, e.g., Tippu Tip. African males were CASTRATED before going to Arabia to prevent multiplication. According to al-Idrisi, a Persian ruler raided ZANJ country (AFRICA) and took many Zanjs as slaves. Under Arab slave trade, Islam was used as a tool to pursue that as they believed non-Muslims should be condemned to enslavement.
Despite all tribulations Africans faced, they still understood the need for FREEDOM, and in the 9th century, Africans led the first slave rebellion 'ZANJ REBELLION' where free and enslaved Africans stood together in solidarity against slavery.
Caucasians later joined in the African slave trade in what history records as the Transatlantic slave trade. Africans were mostly taken from East and West African coasts to the Caribbean, America, and Europe to cultivate their plantations. Famous dungeons were Elmina Castle and Cape Coast of Ghana and Ouidah of Benin. The first Transatlantic slave shipment was done in 1619 by the PORTUGESE.
European slave trade was also SANCTIONED by the Christian religion where Pope Nicholas V ordered European nations to ENSLAVE non-Christian peoples. Also, the church was involved as there was a POPE who collected TAX from slave ships passing the MIDDLE PASSAGE. The church was actively involved in promoting the slave trade as it openly encouraged Africans to be SUBMISSIVE to their Christian masters, to OBEY their masters as the whites are in the image of God, Africans should BEAR suffering as they were created with HARD HANDS and TOUGH SKINS to do the white man's hard tasks. Blacks were denied even to read the Christian book and when they were allowed, SLAVE BIBLE was introduced which encouraged blacks to SUBMIT to slavery as Joseph was a good slave and later was blessed. The Europeanized slave bible became consolation for Africans as they assured themselves that their oppressors would be JUDGED after DEATH.
Despite this, the GREATNESS of Africans was still shown as they UNITED to REBEL against the harsh conditions they were forced to be in. Africans in Haiti led by Charles Deslondes united to rebel both enslaved and free but were all later MASSACRED by the then-governor William Claiborne. In Brazil, Africans led by Ganga Zumba REBELLED and ESTABLISHED their kingdom. Frederick Douglass, Olaudah Equiano are remembered to have led the ABOLISHMENT of slavery campaign.
Later, under pressure from anti-slavery campaigns and the introduction of machines, slavery was abolished, making enslaved Africans 'free', but how could they be free without any compensation for their sufferings instead the slave owner was the one being compensated. Quoting Frederick Douglass ' when I look on the BEAUTIFUL skies of America, beautiful lakes and rivers, her fertile lands. I am filled with great admiration, but when my conscience is checked, I remember under her skies greatest violence was unleashed to my African brethren, her soil drank of my kins blood murdered and her rivers are full of tears of my brethren, I curse myself if something sweet about America could come from my lips'.
Slavery was also practiced by INDONESIANS against Africans as when they brought their spices they returned with African slaves in addition to ivory, skins. CHINESE also enslaved East African Bantus' as in the 7th century Chinese emperor was presented with two Zanjs.
Slavery has LEFT a great SCAR among Africans abroad and in Africa as an aura of SUSPICION has grown between these. Africans abroad DOUBT their kins in Africa because it's SOME of them who sold their ancestors to slavery. Also, slavery led to the DEMEANING position of blacks in the world as they became considered as slaves of every race. EUROCENTRIC history may try to make Africa share the burden of slavery, but this is wrong as African empires clearly FOUGHT AGAINST slavery eg Kongo Empire, Ndogo Kingdom. Those who should be blamed for slavery are the BENEFICIARIES NOT those who SUFFERED after their kins were kidnapped and taken away.
Fellow Africans, let's be ONE with our African brethren abroad. Let THEIR PAIN be OUR PAIN, their insecurity ours, their struggles ours, their cries ours, and in so doing we participate in DEFEATING this GREAT HISTORICAL INJUSTICE done against the black race. Remaining SILENT when Africans abroad are SUFFERING is also showing SOLIDARITY with those OPPRESSING them. Our kins living in Babylon, your time for SALVATION is nearing, and you shall return to your ZION because we Africans are more determined than ever to bring to FRUITION your longing to RETURN to your MOTHERLAND AFRICA. Our brethren in Haiti, we feel your pain and understand your SUFFERINGS under IMPERIALIST, AFRICA WILL DEFEND YOU.
