UN Commemorates the Global Remembrance of the Transatlantic Slave Trade

The Transatlantic Slave Trade is intrinsically linked to American history, as Black Americans experienced its cruelties firsthand. Their forebears were violently uprooted, compelled into harsh labor, and denied their basic humanity. This unsettling legacy reverberates throughout contemporary society, as the foundations of the slave trade were as brutal as they were pivotal. Presently, this historical truth faces significant challenges. President Donald Trump criticized the Smithsonian Institution for what he perceives as an excessive emphasis on the grim realities of slavery, suggesting a need for a narrative that highlights triumph. He characterized calls for truthful reflection as “woke,” perceiving them as threats to national pride. In remembrance, August 23 marks the United Nations' International Day for the Remembrance of the Slave Trade and its Abolition. This observance urges global reflection on the historical implications of the slave trade's legacy. Activists and scholars like Felicia M. Davis emphasize the necessity of revisiting slavery's origins to fully grasp its far-reaching ramifications.

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