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
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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 19th centuries. The movie tells the inspiring story of women warriors who fought against colonial forces, but it also sheds light on a very painful, heartbreaking, and uncomfortable aspect of history — the involvement of African leaders in the slave trade.
The movie challenged the simplistic narrative that portrays Africans solely as victims and depicts scenes where African kings, driven by power struggles and desires for wealth and resources, sold their own people in exchange for guns and horses. As King Ghezo said in the movie, “We joined them in becoming our own oppressors.”.
As an African woman with slave ancestors, I am deeply curious about the events that took place during the time of the slave trade.
The implications of the slave trade are profound and far-reaching. Its legacy reverberates through generations, shaping the present-day realities of systemic racism, social inequities, and institutional prejudices. But to truly confront this legacy, we must avoid painting a monolithic picture and acknowledge the collective responsibility we share in dismantling the systems that perpetuate inequality.
The initiation of the slave trade was not solely driven by African kings seeking wealth and power. It is not a simple tale of one group selling another into bondage. Rather, it is a complex web of economic, political, and social factors that spanned continents. It is a complex tapestry woven with threads of power, exploitation, and human suffering.
While it is true that some African leaders participated in the slave trade, it does not absolve the responsibility of European powers or diminish the systemic racism that underpinned the entire enterprise. The transatlantic slave trade took place within a global system of power imbalances, colonial expansion, and economic exploitation. The king’s involvement was motivated by a variety of factors such as intertribal conflicts, coercion, the desire to acquire European goods, attempts to forge alliances against external threats, and even manipulation by European powers.
Due to their insatiable thirst for wealth and resources, European powers sought to conquer new lands and this expansionist mindset, combined with the growth of plantation economies, created a great demand for labor. The Europeans themselves were decimated by disease and resistance, rendering them inadequate for the massive labor needs. It was at this point that the transatlantic slave trade emerged as a solution to fulfill the growing demand, leading to the establishment of the triangular trade and the commodification of human beings.
African kingdoms, navigating a turbulent landscape of intertribal conflicts and external pressures, found themselves entangled in this tragedy.
If you want to hold a people in chains, you must first convince them that they are meant to be bound — King Ghezo (The Woman King)
With its roots firmly rooted in the greed and exploitation of European powers, the slave trade dehumanized millions of people. Families were torn apart, cultures were lost, and generations of people were subjected to unimaginable horrors. Yet, despite this darkness, stories of resilience and resistance emerged.
Enslaved people fought to preserve their cultures, maintain their humanity, and resist the dehumanizing conditions they were subjected to. They forged bonds, celebrated their culture through music and art, and clung to their traditions as acts of defiance. Their resistance, both subtle and overt, became a beacon of hope in the face of overwhelming despair. These stories of bravery and endurance serve as a testament to the indomitable spirit of those who endured unimaginable hardships.
“The Woman King” served as a powerful reminder that the history of slavery is far from one-dimensional. It confronts the uncomfortable truth of African involvement in the slave trade, urging us to delve into the complexities of history and also acknowledge the role the Europeans played.
While reflecting on the African involvement in the slave trade may be uncomfortable, it provides an opportunity for critical self-analysis. It illuminates untold stories, amplifies marginalized voices, and prompts much-needed conversations.
By humanizing the group of people who were affected by the slave trade and depicting their struggles, we can foster empathy and inspire meaningful reflection on the enduring effects of racism, which can serve as a catalyst for understanding, healing, and reconciliation.
I’m coming to terms with the past. Knowing what I now know, I can no longer act like a victim. I am who I am now. I am not a slave. I am free to be the person God put me here to be. I am free to live in peace with everyone without their skin color being a problem.
We need white and black to make it complete.
My people made a mistake, but I refuse to live in the shadow of the past and be bound by my own limitations. I will no longer wear slavery as a badge or use it as an excuse.
By having this conversation, we can forgive ourselves and others and work toward love and healing for a more compassionate future.
