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billb's avatar

Every African shipped across the Atlantic had been captured, enslaved, and sold by fellow Africans. That slave trade had been going on for at least five centuries before any European became involved. It had its roots in the polygamy practiced by the Bantu people, which meant that there were large numbers of men who were essentially surplus to their societies. Such men were then easily exploited in armies or sold to Arab or European merchants.

Given the history of the West African slave trade, I suggest that Hilary Beckles and others should address any calls for reparations to the countries of West Africa that instigated the enslavement.

In a way, those taken to the Americas were the lucky ones since Arab slavers routinely castrated their male slaves, even though it resulted in up to 90% mortality.

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Jonathan Harston's avatar

The former slave owners who had their assets compulsarily purchased - as that is exactly what it was - had the funds taxed off them within 15 years.

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