The Maafa

The Rev · 09-09-2010, 12:37 PM

Maafa - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Quote:

There is debate that the widely accepted view of the arrival of 10 million neglects to state how many left the continent of Africa. Estimates range from 40 million to 100 million from both the Arab Slave trade and the Transatlantic trade.[28] It has been estimated by Scholars like Karenga and Walter Rodney that the population of Africa in the mid 19th century would have been 50 million instead of 25 million had slavery not taken place.[28] Many Africans died during capturing or deportation to the coast, in the coastal dungeons or during the middle passage. It is estimated that the Portuguese trade was underestimated by half and the British trade by 1/3. There were also indirect effects of the slavers' actions, including broken families left behind and the spreading of European diseases.[19][28]

It is estimated that by the height of the slave trade the population of Africa unlike the rest of the World had stagnated by 50%.[28] Not only was the trade of demographic significance in the aggregate population losses but also in the profound changes to settlement patterns, epidemiological exposure, and reproductive and social development potential.[10]

Maafa is another name for the African Holocaust of Slavery. I've always been aware that there were quite a few africans brought to the Americas as slaves, but I never knew what a huge chunk of the actual population of Africa was displaced. Even if you go with the official number of 10 Million, that's around 1/4 to 1/5 of the entire population. Can you imagine what that did to the people who lived there, and how it affected the future growth of their culture?

I see this horrific event in a context which includes the genocide of the native peoples of the Americas as well. As the Age of Reason and the Enlightenment of the Renaissance rose to prominence, the two technologically advanced societies of the world, Europe and the Middle East, basically exterminated the two less advanced societies through hundreds of years of conquest, colonization, and exploitation. And it really blows my mind that this kind of unprecedented act of evil is so whitewashed by our current educational system.

Now, I don't think there's anyone left to blame, and I don't support the idea that anyone living owes anyone a debt for this. All the players are dead. However, there has to be damage that lingers on, in the cultural, societal, and even psychological lives of the descendents of the conquered peoples among us. And I think we owe it to ourselves, as a society that supposedly embraces equality and civil rights, to make every effort to heal the damage, and not carry the harm forward by pretending this never happened (or happened in any other way than it actually did) because we, as whites, identify with the perpetrators.

The Rev

Parallax · 09-12-2010, 03:10 PM

are white people the only ones to blame? i remember reading somewhere that some of the african tribes enslaved members of other african tribes and then sold them to the whites?

here is the link http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atlantic_slave_trade

farmergiles · 09-12-2010, 03:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Parallax

are white people the only ones to blame? i remember reading somewhere that some of the african tribes enslaved members of other african tribes and then sold them to the whites?

While slave trading is not the sole preserve of whitey that does not let anyone off the hook.

I hear that there are more slaves today than there has ever been. Next time you eat chocolate or drink coffee think about the slaves.

I also heard that there are more pirates today than ever.

The Rev · 09-12-2010, 04:08 PM

If you consider prison populations forced to work, alone, you have a pretty expansive slave population worldwide (a slave population that is disproportionately black here in the USA).

What blows my mind are the numbers involved. Enough de-population of Africa occurred to cripple the development of the continent, and destroy many different cultures there. Families were torn apart, as well, creating great pain and trauma for Africans. The indigenous peoples of the Americas were similarly wiped out, first by attempts at enslaving THEM and disease, then by outright war.

We talk alot about the Holocaust, which took over 6 million lives. But there were many many times that amount killed off, and whole cultures destroyed, in the extermination of the 16th-20th centuries. And we barely acknowledge that as a more than an unfortunate byproduct of commerce during a less enlightened time. One half of the human race killed off the other half. I can't imagine a historical event more serious and important.

The Rev

Parallax · 09-12-2010, 07:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Rev

We talk alot about the Holocaust, which took over 6 million lives. But there were many many times that amount killed off, and whole cultures destroyed, in the extermination of the 16th-20th centuries. And we barely acknowledge that as a more than an unfortunate byproduct of commerce during a less enlightened time. One half of the human race killed off the other half. I can't imagine a historical event more serious and important.

The Rev

bit off topic, but the holocaust took 6 million if you only count the jews, it was over 10 million, if you include the other groups. it seems like everywhere you look this 6mil figure always pops up, and the rest are overlooked. any one have any ideas as to why this is?

The Rev · 09-13-2010, 06:34 AM

I think, because of the strong anti-semitism that was central to nazi-ism, the number of jews killed has gotten more discussion. The gypsies, blacks, homosexuals, slavs, etc. that died in the camps were more "peripheral" in a sense, in a "oh, yeah, let's kill them too" kind of way (or so it appears). That's how it seems to me, anyway.

The Rev

hijabihippie · 09-14-2010, 07:18 AM

Not to mention people with disabilities. They were the first to go. Deaf people were forcibly sterilized.

hijabihippie · 09-14-2010, 08:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Rev

I think, because of the strong anti-semitism that was central to nazi-ism, the number of jews killed has gotten more discussion. The gypsies, blacks, homosexuals, slavs, etc. that died in the camps were more "peripheral" in a sense, in a "oh, yeah, let's kill them too" kind of way (or so it appears). That's how it seems to me, anyway.

The Rev

You might enjoy reading Destined To Witness: Growing Up Black In Nazi Germany by Hans Jürgen Massaquoi.

Parallax · 09-22-2010, 04:23 PM

its a stretch to say that the prison population of the usa are slaves, but real slavery goes on at this very moment all over the world, including africa. white people didn't invent slavery, nor did they have the most slaves, they did end slavery however in certain places.

nobody should be forced to compensate for what their ancestors did or didnt do

hijabihippie · 09-23-2010, 12:28 PM

The first part of your post is dead-on true, for the most part. I would say, however, that I think it is more accurate to say white people helped to end slavery in some places.

The second part of your post, I respectfully disagree with. For exqample, during WWII the US government confiscated the property & resources of West Coast Japanese-American citizens, & wrongfully incarcerated them. The US goverment paid compensation. Should they have been forced to, if neccessary, in order to have justice done? I believe so.

The Rev · 09-23-2010, 12:55 PM

The prison populations, if forced to work on chain gangs, for example, are slaves by definition. The only difference is that the government does not label them property. They are held as captives, forced to work against their will for the benefit of others, and have no say in the ordering of their lives. And, thanks to the WOD, they are also disproportionately black and latino (the descendents of the african and native american populations originally conquered by European colonists). I don't think that's a coincidence, any more than it is a coincidence that the system which owns, runs, and regulates the prisons consists of descendents of the conquerors.

Until everyone accepts what was done to these people, and finds a way to heal it together, the mutual distrust and fear between the races will continue to result in the strong races (those who hold the advantages) keeping the weaker ones (those who don't) "under control" in one way or another.

The Rev

hijabihippie · 09-24-2010, 04:55 AM

Suggestion-watch the film Traces Of The Trade: A Story From The Deep North.

POV - Traces of the Trade | PBS

It says it all, in my opinion.

Then, let's continue the discussion, please.

09-12-2010, 03:10 PM	#2 (permalink)
Parallax Admiral Join Date: Aug 2003 Posts: 4,739 Thanks: 160 Thanked 590 Times in 318 Posts	are white people the only ones to blame? i remember reading somewhere that some of the african tribes enslaved members of other african tribes and then sold them to the whites? here is the link http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atlantic_slave_trade __________________ FUCK THE ROBOTS!!! NUKE THE WHALES!!!

09-12-2010, 04:08 PM	#4 (permalink)
The Rev Clear Light Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: In my head, somewhere. Posts: 17,865 Thanks: 5,018 Thanked 5,420 Times in 2,865 Posts	If you consider prison populations forced to work, alone, you have a pretty expansive slave population worldwide (a slave population that is disproportionately black here in the USA). What blows my mind are the numbers involved. Enough de-population of Africa occurred to cripple the development of the continent, and destroy many different cultures there. Families were torn apart, as well, creating great pain and trauma for Africans. The indigenous peoples of the Americas were similarly wiped out, first by attempts at enslaving THEM and disease, then by outright war. We talk alot about the Holocaust, which took over 6 million lives. But there were many many times that amount killed off, and whole cultures destroyed, in the extermination of the 16th-20th centuries. And we barely acknowledge that as a more than an unfortunate byproduct of commerce during a less enlightened time. One half of the human race killed off the other half. I can't imagine a historical event more serious and important. The Rev __________________ Budforce - My Friend August 29, 1973- May 25, 2012

09-13-2010, 06:34 AM	#6 (permalink)
The Rev Clear Light Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: In my head, somewhere. Posts: 17,865 Thanks: 5,018 Thanked 5,420 Times in 2,865 Posts	I think, because of the strong anti-semitism that was central to nazi-ism, the number of jews killed has gotten more discussion. The gypsies, blacks, homosexuals, slavs, etc. that died in the camps were more "peripheral" in a sense, in a "oh, yeah, let's kill them too" kind of way (or so it appears). That's how it seems to me, anyway. The Rev __________________ Budforce - My Friend August 29, 1973- May 25, 2012

09-14-2010, 07:18 AM	#7 (permalink)
hijabihippie YaHookan Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 1,481 Thanks: 1,152 Thanked 655 Times in 515 Posts	Not to mention people with disabilities. They were the first to go. Deaf people were forcibly sterilized. Last edited by hijabihippie; 09-23-2010 at 12:30 PM.

09-22-2010, 04:23 PM	#9 (permalink)
Parallax Admiral Join Date: Aug 2003 Posts: 4,739 Thanks: 160 Thanked 590 Times in 318 Posts	its a stretch to say that the prison population of the usa are slaves, but real slavery goes on at this very moment all over the world, including africa. white people didn't invent slavery, nor did they have the most slaves, they did end slavery however in certain places. nobody should be forced to compensate for what their ancestors did or didnt do __________________ FUCK THE ROBOTS!!! NUKE THE WHALES!!! Last edited by Parallax; 09-22-2010 at 04:28 PM.

09-23-2010, 12:28 PM	#10 (permalink)
hijabihippie YaHookan Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 1,481 Thanks: 1,152 Thanked 655 Times in 515 Posts	The first part of your post is dead-on true, for the most part. I would say, however, that I think it is more accurate to say white people helped to end slavery in some places. The second part of your post, I respectfully disagree with. For exqample, during WWII the US government confiscated the property & resources of West Coast Japanese-American citizens, & wrongfully incarcerated them. The US goverment paid compensation. Should they have been forced to, if neccessary, in order to have justice done? I believe so. Last edited by hijabihippie; 09-23-2010 at 12:44 PM.

09-23-2010, 12:55 PM	#11 (permalink)
The Rev Clear Light Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: In my head, somewhere. Posts: 17,865 Thanks: 5,018 Thanked 5,420 Times in 2,865 Posts	The prison populations, if forced to work on chain gangs, for example, are slaves by definition. The only difference is that the government does not label them property. They are held as captives, forced to work against their will for the benefit of others, and have no say in the ordering of their lives. And, thanks to the WOD, they are also disproportionately black and latino (the descendents of the african and native american populations originally conquered by European colonists). I don't think that's a coincidence, any more than it is a coincidence that the system which owns, runs, and regulates the prisons consists of descendents of the conquerors. Until everyone accepts what was done to these people, and finds a way to heal it together, the mutual distrust and fear between the races will continue to result in the strong races (those who hold the advantages) keeping the weaker ones (those who don't) "under control" in one way or another. The Rev __________________ Budforce - My Friend August 29, 1973- May 25, 2012

09-24-2010, 04:55 AM	#12 (permalink)
hijabihippie YaHookan Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 1,481 Thanks: 1,152 Thanked 655 Times in 515 Posts	Suggestion-watch the film Traces Of The Trade: A Story From The Deep North. POV - Traces of the Trade \| PBS It says it all, in my opinion. Then, let's continue the discussion, please. Last edited by hijabihippie; 09-24-2010 at 07:20 AM.

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