HISTORICISING THE POLITICS OF SLAVERY AND THE AFRICAN DIASPORA

Abstract

African history and historiography have largely accounted for the question of slavery, colonialism, racialism and neo-colonialism. This is because the above phenomena passes as the experiences of the African people which have elicited responses from scholars and researchers of diverse civilizations largely because such phenomena have without doubt, altered the history of the continent of Africa as well as the trajectory and tapestry of the thought pattern of the African person. This paper attempts to historicise the politics of slavery as well as engage in a lucid discourse on the African diaspora which is a resultant effect of the politics that ensured both during the trade and the processes that lead to the abolition of the trade. It engages the expository and analytic methods of philosophical research and argues that the high point of the politics of slavery is evident in the fact that the trans-Atlantic slave trade would not have been successful and sustainable as it were if the Africans were not readily disposed to selling their kinsmen into slavery. This paper concludes in the final third that in view of the prevailing socio-political and economic realities of Africa, for Africa to rescue herself from, and overcome the numerous challenges confronting her, Africans should reject with vehemence, any semblance of neo-slavery, African diaspora organizations should not relent in contributing in whatever way they can to the development of African in a manner that is sustainable and accordingly, such donations and contributions should be used in prudent and frugal manner.