African Wars, European Greed, and the Real Origins of the Slave Trade

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I have written several recent articles including "Beyond Black and White", and "The Great Re-Enslavement." In doing so, I have reflected on the profound resilience and inner strength passed down to us through generations. Despite some readers questioning my heritage due to my hazel eyes and gray hair, it's essential to recognize the rich and diverse ancestry that shapes us. My African roots run deep, connecting me to remarkable figures whose legacy continues to inspire and empower us today.

Before I start my article, allow me to introduce some of my African ancestors who have left an indelible mark on history:

• Cab Calloway, 7th Cousin, 4X removed – The legendary American jazz singer and bandleader, sharing an ancestor with me, Elizabeth Wallace (1632–1708).
• Nat King Cole, 8th Cousin, 2X removed – Celebrated African-American jazz pianist and singer, connected through our shared ancestor, John Hall (1605–1676).
• Miles Davis, 8th Cousin, 2X removed – Iconic jazz trumpeter and composer, with a common lineage traced back to Dorothy Thompson (1624–1709).
• Dizzy Gillespie, 8th Cousin, 2X removed – Renowned jazz trumpeter and composer, sharing ancestry with Elizabeth Isabella Miller Lewis Yard (1640–1704).
• Alex Haley, 8th Cousin, 2X removed – Author of "Roots," documenting his African lineage back to Kunta Kinte, with a shared ancestor, William Fletcher (pre-1712).
• Bessie Smith, 7th Cousin, 3X removed – Influential blues singer, with a common ancestor, William McDowell (1682–1759).
• Derek Jeter, 8th Cousin, 1X removed – Famous baseball player, also sharing ancestry through Dorothy Thomas (1670–1755). By the way, he "looks white" too.
• Harriet Tubman, 6th Cousin, 4X removed – Iconic figure in the fight against slavery, connected through John Warren (1585–1667).
• Malcolm X, 7th Cousin, 3X removed – Influential civil rights leader, with a shared ancestor, Jan Corszen (1649–1703).
• Martin Luther King Jr., 9th Cousin – Civil rights leader, sharing a lineage with Catherine Wallace (1672–1733).
• Otis Redding, 8th Cousin, 1X removed – Legendary singer, connected through Mehitable Mowry (1646–1730).

These connections highlight the deep and diverse roots that contribute to our collective heritage. The stories of these ancestors embody the resilience and strength that have been passed down through generations, reinforcing the importance of acknowledging and celebrating our shared history.

Besides, according to National Geographic and supported by extensive genetic research, every living person has African ancestry. This shared heritage underscores the fundamental unity of all humans, and in my opinion, racism is a clear display of ignorance but also a reflection of inner self-hatred.

Very few of us are entirely of African descent. The average Black person descended from enslaved people has approximately 75% African ancestry and 25% European ancestry.

That's why, even though I might "look white," I am very proud of my African heritage.

Now onto my article...

The transatlantic slave trade, which began in the 15th century and lasted until the 19th century, saw millions of Africans forcibly transported to the Americas. Driven by European colonial powers eager to exploit the labor-intensive agricultural economies of their New World colonies, this trade was far more complex and harrowing than a simple transactional exchange. It is a tale of human suffering, resilience, and the indomitable spirit of those who endured unimaginable hardships.

African Societies and the Roots of Slavery

Long before European contact, slavery existed in various forms within African societies, often resulting from warfare. Captives were integrated into the victors' communities, absorbed into family structures, or used as labor. Their enslavement was not necessarily based on race, and they could eventually gain their freedom.

With the arrival of European traders, the nature of African slavery dramatically changed. The Europeans' insatiable demand for labor to work on plantations in the Americas fueled internal conflicts and increased the scale of slave raids. African kingdoms and traders, enticed by European goods and coerced by threats, became entangled in the trade, capturing and selling their own people to meet European demands.

The Brutal Realities of the Transatlantic Slave Trade

The transatlantic journey, known as the Middle Passage, was marked by unspeakable brutality. Captives were packed into ships in abhorrent conditions, with little regard for their humanity. Disease, malnutrition, and abuse were rampant, leading to high mortality rates. Those who survived the journey arrived in the Americas weakened and traumatized, only to face the horrors of forced labor and dehumanization on plantations.

European colonial powers, driven by greed and the desire for economic dominance, saw the exploitation of African labor as a means to fuel their agricultural economies. Plantations in the Caribbean, South America, and North America thrived on the back of slave labor, producing lucrative crops such as sugar, tobacco, and cotton. The wealth generated from this exploitation enriched European nations and entrenched the institution of slavery in the New World.

African Involvement: A Complex Narrative

Africans involved in the slave trade were not monolithic. Some African leaders resisted the trade, recognizing its devastating impact on their societies. However, others participated in it, often for economic gain. These participants included various kingdoms, traders, and intermediaries by what many blame for being caught in the web of European manipulation and coercion. The dynamics of power, survival, and complicity created a complex narrative that defies simplistic interpretations.

The Arrival and Integration in the Americas

The notion that many Africans were already in the islands and the Americas before the transatlantic slave trade is a topic of debate among historians. There is some evidence suggesting pre-Columbian contact between Africans and the Americas, including:

1. Olmec Civilization: Some scholars argue that the Olmec civilization, which thrived in Mesoamerica from around 1400 to 400 BCE, shows evidence of African influence. The colossal heads, with their distinctive facial features, have been cited as possible evidence of African contact.
2. Historical Accounts: Early Spanish and Portuguese explorers documented encounters with people in the Americas who they believed had African features. Additionally, accounts from Mali's King Abubakari II, who supposedly sailed westward across the Atlantic in the early 14th century, suggest possible African expeditions.
3. Linguistic Evidence: Some linguists have identified similarities between certain Native American languages and African languages, suggesting possible interactions or migrations.

While these pieces of evidence are intriguing, they remain controversial and are not widely accepted as definitive proof of significant pre-Columbian African presence in the Americas.

The Scale and Impact of the Transatlantic Slave Trade

In stark contrast to these speculative pre-Columbian contacts, the transatlantic slave trade was a massive and well-documented enterprise. As stated earlier, beginning in the 15th century and continuing until the 19th century, millions of Africans were forcibly transported to the Americas. This process had a profound and lasting impact on the demographic and cultural landscapes of the New World.

1. Demographic Changes: The sheer number of Africans brought to the Americas during the transatlantic slave trade dwarfed any possible pre-Columbian African migrations. The trade created large African-descended populations throughout the Caribbean, South America, and North America.
2. Cultural Influences: The enslaved Africans brought with them diverse cultures, languages, and traditions. These cultural elements blended with those of Indigenous peoples and European colonizers, creating rich, hybrid cultures that persist to this day. African influence is evident in music, dance, cuisine, religion, and language across the Americas.
3. Resistance and Resilience: Despite the brutal conditions of slavery, Africans and their descendants resisted their oppressors in numerous ways. From outright rebellions and escape to the establishment of Maroon communities, enslaved Africans showed remarkable resilience. This spirit of resistance and cultural preservation is a testament to their strength and ingenuity.

Theories on African and Native American Interactions

While the transatlantic slave trade was the primary means by which Africans came to the Americas, the possibility of earlier interactions between Africans and Native Americans is a fascinating area of study. These interactions, if they occurred, would have been on a much smaller scale but could still have had significant local impacts.

1. Trade and Navigation: Some theories suggest that African sailors and traders could have reached the Americas via transoceanic currents and trade routes. These early explorers might have engaged in trade and cultural exchanges with Native American societies.
2. Shared Technologies and Knowledge: Potential exchanges of agricultural practices, technologies, and knowledge could have occurred, influencing the development of both African and Native American societies.

The Broader Implications

Understanding the history of slavery and the transatlantic slave trade is crucial for comprehending the contemporary social, economic, and racial dynamics in the Americas. The legacies of this period continue to influence societies today, from systemic racism to cultural identities.

Thus, while it is true that some Africans sold captives taken in war, reducing the transatlantic slave trade to this single aspect oversimplifies a complex and painful history. The involvement of European colonial powers, the demand for labor in the Americas, and the subsequent brutal exploitation of millions of Africans are all critical components of this historical narrative. Acknowledging this complexity is essential for a nuanced understanding of our shared past and its ongoing impact on the present. The resilience of Africans and their descendants in the face of unimaginable hardships is a powerful testament to the strength of the human spirit. By acknowledging and understanding these diverse historical narratives, we can better appreciate the rich cultural heritage that shapes our world today.

What do YOU think?

The Middle PassagePhoto byNPS