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We Joined Them in Becoming Our Own Oppressors
If you want to hold a people in chains, you must first convince them they are meant to be bound
As an African woman with slave ancestors, I am deeply curious about the events that took place during the slave trade. Growing up, I often wondered how the slave trade was even possible and how foreigners were able to come to our land and ship off people they called slaves to distant lands. I wondered what the powerful kings and queens of Africa did to stop the slave trade not knowing the truth of what they had done.
Spanning from 1440 to about 1833, the slave trade stands as one of humanity’s most harrowing chapters, a dark era of oppression, suffering, and systemic racism. The effects of this dark period have left an indelible mark on me as a slave descendant and on societies around the world. I wish to gain a deeper understanding of the forces that shaped this period.
The movie “The Woman King” did a wonderful job motivating me to confront the intricate and multifaceted dynamics at play during this dark period in history. Directed by Gina Prince-Bythewood and starring Viola Davis, the movie compelled me to delve deeper into the history of the slave trade. In the movie, I am transported to the Kingdom of Dahomey, a powerful African nation in the 18th and…
