In a twist that smacks of historical irony, the real heroes of the abolition of slavery were European powers and their pressures, predominantly led by white men. While it might not fit the narrative that today’s progressive circles love to propagate, the reality is rooted in historical facts. The transformation from a world where slavery was widespread to one where it was increasingly abolished unfolded within just a century. By 1900, major European powers and the United States had taken concrete steps to outlaw slavery.
Consider the role of the Royal Navy’s West Africa Squadron, which took on the daunting task of policing the seas to free African slaves. This monumental effort not only came at great cost but was managed almost entirely by British taxpayers—those same white folks who are often blamed indiscriminately in today’s discussions on historical injustices. Yet here they are, acting as pivotal forces in the cessation of a vile practice.
Moving across the Atlantic, it’s hard to ignore the staggering loss of life during the American Civil War, fought largely to determine the fate of slavery in the United States. Nearly 400,000 Union soldiers, the vast majority being white, laid down their lives. This sacrifice was capped by an entirely white Congress, which, through the 13th Amendment, legally ended the institution of slavery. It’s a sobering reminder that demonizing a group based on the actions of a few ignores the broader history they helped shape.
Yet today, there’s a strange calculus at play, championed by some, suggesting that certain historical debts can never be paid. It’s a slippery slope, implying that if the legacy of slavery demands perpetual compensation, then a similar logic could imply that every ethnic group owes every other ethnic group for past transgressions. This approach only serves to perpetuate division, rather than acknowledge shared efforts towards progress.
Employing historical scapegoating as a means to justify contemporary political goals does little to foster genuine reconciliation or understanding. It’s important to recognize the role of historical figures and groups not as monolithic villains or heroes but as people shaped by and acting within their time. Embracing this complexity is crucial to moving forward as a society that prizes unity over division.
