Tevi

This book is such a harrowing read that it took me a long time to finish it, but it was worth every second. 

I grew up in Malaysia and I'm half British, half Malaysian Indian, so the history of colonialism is very much relevant to me - I probably wouldn't exist without colonialism and Malaysia is still, honestly, an outpost for neocolonial interests that gets away with a certain amount of affluence because it tows the line to the economic and political interests of the global north. 

Under the British education system, imperialism might as well not have existed. It's as if every country colonized by Britain simply popped into being that way, and were granted a huge favor when the British 'ended slavery' and 'granted them independence.' That's when colonialism is acknowledged at all - the most I recall were a few footnotes in the coverage of WWI and II stating that they were called "world wars" because the colonies were involved, but the framing was very much that all the important stuff was happening in Europe. 

This book contextualizes everything, deconstructing the myth of racial purity that the modern British government is intent on selling in its anti-immigration messaging: that the racial identity of Britain is and always has been white, and that people of color are relatively new arrivals who don't really deserve to be here. 

It covers archaeological findings proving that black people have been in Britain for thousands of years; the founding of slavery, which the British would very much like to pretend they didn't start; how and why Britain then became the first European power to campaign for the abolishment of slavery; all the way up until the the modern era and the current government's racist policies. 

Although the book doesn't draw this link, I feel I better understand the specific racism of British society, which is capable of saying heinously racist things while simultaneously having the attitude of being the most progressive country in the world and above reproach. The "I'm not racist, but..." and the "I have black friends, but..." of it all. Much of the anti-slavery movement in Britain hinged on a feeling of moral superiority over the United States, an attitude that was reinforced during WWII by the attitudes of white US GIs. When faced with such a contrast, it seems natural that British citizens would see their manifestations of racism as neutral and rational, and politicians have evidently been able to capitalize on that with their rhetoric.

Something that particularly struck me was the importance of international solidarity. Much of the anti-slavery movement in Britain came from the working class; exploited workers in the cotton mills who sympathized with the plight of the slaves in the cotton fields and who were all being exploited for the material gain of the ruling class. A struggle which is still starkly relevant, and which highlights why the ruling class and the far right's strategy revolves so much around driving wedges between marginalized communities. 

I could go on and on about this book and never do it justice. It's essential reading if you're interested in any of these topics, and honestly, this material should be compulsory teaching in British schools. 

Next up is to read a trashy lesbian romance novel. Then it's on to finish Culture & Imperialism by Edward Said.