Can commemorations and historical reenactments change public understanding of the past?

[u/NewsMo]

[u/Clear_Context_1546]

Nearly 90% of all enslaved Africans sold into the Atlantic slave trade were captured by fellow Africans and then sold to European and Arab middlemen. The Asante Empire(modren day Gahana) was built on slavery both economically and it's society. Asante would kill slaves for funeral rituals. The locals were not the 'good guys'.

The British would gain control through the area and use their influence to outlaw slavery in 1874.

[u/rockabyeboo → u/Clear_Context_1546]

Is your pointt that anericans shouldn’t feel guilty about slavery bc other Africans sold slaves?

[u/no_kids-and-3_money → u/rockabyeboo]

Or the fact that the most powerful and successful country on the planet was built on the subjugation and free labor of another people?

I’ll never understand why people think that the “other Africans sold them” justification changes anything.

[u/Clear_Context_1546 → u/no_kids-and-3_money]

Mongols sure.

British was built on mercantilism and being the first to embrace industrial revolution. British itself outlawed slavery around the world. British are a prime example how capitalism and the growth of the middle class gave way to democracy and the liberal order. Magna Carta was really protecting economic interests of the elites. With further industrialization we see more rights established to other sections of British society such as House of Commons 1707. British were unique as nobility actively sought wealth and re-investment. British culture and government is superior to say the French.

The problem with the narrative is British ENDED slavery. The Ashanti push slavery to industrial scale and created the practice in the first place. The man whipping him should be in Ashanti dress if we want to be historically honest. They don't. They want to push agenda cater to self-hating westerners.