Africans mostly responsible for slavery

SHAWNEE MISSION – Should we, the descendants of American slaves, receive reparation in the form of monetary compensation for the unpaid labor and bondage of our ancestors? Hold on to that thought. There are numerous controversial issues (both past and present) to resolve first if we’re to arrive at a judicious, if not historic, decision.

Please allow me to expound. Most of us are painfully aware of the significant roles performed by the United States and European juggernauts Britain, Holland, Spain and France during the height of slavery. However, we’ve failed to analyze the contradicting role Africans themselves played; most notably in the slave-trading kingdoms of western and central Africa.

History books tell us our ancestors were all kidnapped by a posse of evil white men seeking immense economic gain, as perfectly illustrated by the capture and sale of Kunta Kinte in the popular slave film “Roots.” The truth, however, is much more complicated. Like your local Walmart, slavery was big business executed strictly for the financial benefit of African sellers and European buyers.

Here’s more food for thought. Historians John Thornton and Linda Heywood of Boston University both estimate roughly 90 percent of those shipped off for free labor were enslaved by Africans then sold to European traders.

In other words, blacks sold out.

Fast forward the clock 400 years, and today we’re experiencing practically the same damn level of betrayal and distrust.

See, up to this point, too many blacks have behaved as hypocrites. Most of us lament the use of such repulsive terms as “niggas” and “bitches” when spewed from our non-black counterparts. Yet, we’ve patronized black comedians, gangsta rappers and entertainers who have commercialized the terms to secure sizable profit margins.

This, my friends, is hypocrisy in its purest form.

The ineptitude doesn’t end there.

Many of us applaud the colorful “Keep hope alive” speeches delivered by Reverends Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton, ignoring the simple fact it’s counterproductive for both to stomp out racism. Think about it. If I’m a successful owner of a profitable lemonade stand, why the hell would I call for the abolishment of lemons?

Like a hooker soliciting her next trick, Jesse and Al need racism to exist in order to collect a paycheck. The same argument can be made against the NAACP and other civil rights organizations. Gimminee Christmas! I find it mind-boggling more blacks haven’t caught on to this goofy political scheme.

See, true racism originates in-house. Contrary to popular belief, the slave trade was organized by a fraternity of greedy African merchants seeking lucrative returns.

Today, the black community has been undermined by a heinous culture of hypocrisy that has subsequently crippled our ability to build strong families and establish positive relationships.

Wayne Hodges, an MBA from St. Mary University, is the Editor-in-Chief of MassAppealNews.com. He also serves as District Committee Delegate in Johnson County, he’s a candidate for the Shawnee Mission School Board, and he’s an adjunct professor in Kansas City.