Colin: The parallel between the African experience and the Roman
colonisation of Britain is close in my view. Britain had a thriving culture
before the time of the Romans just as African nations had thriving cultures
before the arrival of the Europeans (never perfect but at least with some
stability, and I would guess happy enough). Under Roman rule a good deal of
development took place. Everybody liked the roads. Then the Romans pulled
out and Europe entered the "dark ages", Britain included. Why? Had the
Britons not already demonstrated their own culture? Had they not developed
further under the Romans? How more promising could it have been when the
Romans left for ever? I would maintain that the Roman culture had never been
organic. When Britain established itself as a significant nation (or group
of nations) a millennium later the good side of Roman occupation was not
lost for ever. My guess is that the people in various African countries may
look back in a thousand years and regret some of the things that are
happening now. I may not be alive to see it, but the thought is comforting.
Colin, I wonder where Britain and Europe would have been without the
blinders of the Church which may have made the plagues worse and definitely
contributed to dark ages in original thinking.
But the 19th century colonies are a bit different than Rome's at least under
the Republic. Then, generally, Rome's only care was security and (as
individuals in the ruling class, dignity). The areas they conquered where
mostly left to their own religion and culture as long as they produced and
did not revolt or cause room trouble. Whereas, in Africa, the Victorians
(no matter where in Europe they came from), set out to civilize the savages
(we did too btw) while holding them in bondage as inferior beings.
I hope someone in the world can look back in a 1000 years.
Gary
Feb CE Chaffin, Celebrations and Blessings at:
http://gardawg.homestead.com/gardawg.html --- Writer's Hood at
http://www.writershood.com/... Poets for Peace.... ˇPoemas sí, balas no!
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