May we listen and learn
As I sit down to reflect, a few thoughts come to mind. Slavery is unequivocally wrong because it cruelly dehumanizes one who is made in the image of God. A worldview which allows for one people group to dominate, control and enslave another does not truly uphold the dignity of each human as a bearer of God’s image. It follows logically that colonialism is also reprehensible because it seeks to dominate and control another people group (either as an end in itself or at least by default if the colonizers are more interested in land/resources than in the people themselves).
At the root of these beliefs are my Kingdom-of-God values that place the well-being of others over self-interest. Lest that statement come off as totally pretentious, let me quickly admit that I do it very imperfectly. Regardless, it is a deep-seated value. In a paradigm that normalizes putting others’ well-being ahead of our own, there is no room for exploitation and domination of others.
Interestingly, the two assigned texts for this week mirror some of these thoughts, all the while challenging a few of my assumptions. Let’s begin with the definition of racism found in Nigel Biggar’s Colonialism: A Moral Reckoning. He says racism “pre-judges the individual by regarding him or her simply as a member of a group, automatically attributing to the individual that group’s supposed characteristics, which are stereotyped in unflattering terms. So the sins of racism are two: first, the racial group is viewed in relentlessly negative terms; and second, the individual is not permitted to appear as anything other than a member of such a group. The group is simplified negatively, and the dignity of individuality is brushed aside.”[1]
Jeremy Black’s definitions are more succinct. In A Brief History of Slavery he calls out slavery as the “commodification of human beings” for economic advantage.[2] Black recounts a horrifying example of this in the case of the Zong, a ship carrying 470 captured Africans destined to be enslaved in Jamaica. When the ship’s supplies ran low, Captain Luke Collingwood had 131 of the weaker slaves thrown into the Atlantic to drown. Their value was then claimed against the ship’s insurance.[3] Black tells us that British painter J.M. Turner was so moved by this event that he painted this piece (below), which I found deeply poignant.[4]
This week’s readings also challenged several of my assumptions regarding racism, slavery and colonialism. We were reminded that slavery comes in many forms: serfdom, penal labour, arranged marriages for child brides, concubinage, indentured servitude.[5] We were also reminded that many of these conditions continue today in India, Brazil, and other places around the world in the form of debt-bondage, sexual slavery, and penal labor.[6]
Perhaps most challenging, we read about examples where there were genuinely good intentions (at least according to the perception of the colonizers or enslavers) behind historical injustices. Biggar argues that the expansion of the British empire was motivated in large part by the “Christian, humanitarian, ‘improving’ spirit” which generally sought to make a better life for other people.[7] To what extent the end result was actually an improvement for “other people” is a different conversation. Likewise, Black points out that the slave trade in Ethiopia in the 1500’s was intertwined with Islamic proselytism[8], which was presumably a positive intention in the minds of faithful Muslims at the time. Let me be clear, these perceived good intentions do not excuse injustice. Perhaps the lesson for us today is that we are all susceptible to blindness when the “water we swim in” (i.e. our society or culture) has normalized something that is, in fact, wrong.
Allow me to share one final example of how our culture can blind us so completely. I was struck by Biggar’s retelling of Captain Cook’s voyage to Australia. “He was instructed that, should he find the land inhabited, he was to ‘endeavour by all proper means to cultivate a friendship and alliance with [the native peoples]’ and ‘with [their] consent … to take possession of convenient situations in the country in the name of the King of Great Britain’. However, when the British reached Australia in 1770, they discovered a territory that seemed to them very sparsely populated and then only with foragers, not farmers settled on bounded land. It also seemed that there were no established political authorities among the natives with whom treaties could be made. So, in 1788, when the first fleet of convict ships arrived on the coast of what would become New South Wales, British settlement proceeded on the assumption that the land was terra nullius – belonging to no one. It soon became clear that that was not the view of the aboriginals, who, when they saw that the foreigners intended to stay, began to attack them.”[9] This example makes me both want to laugh and cry. How ignorant and how arrogant humans can be when we perceive only through our own cultural lens. Captain Cook ignored the intricacies of local culture when he assumed that if the aboriginals weren’t farming bounded land then they wouldn’t mind if Britain established settlements. He didn’t know what he didn’t know and those early British settlers suffered for it.
My hope, as I conclude these reflections, is that we might learn from past injustices and past missteps. May we listen carefully to history and listen carefully to each other across cultural divides. Above all, may we prioritize the dignity of each human being as one made in the image of God.
[1] Biggar, Nigel, Colonialism: A Moral Reckoning. London: Williams Collins Books, 2023. 38.
[2] Black, Jeremy. A Brief History of Slavery. Philadelphia, London: Running Press Book Publishers; Robinson, 2011. 10.
[3] Ibid., 202-203.
[4] J.M. Turner ,“The Slave Ship”, Oil on Canvas, 1840.
[5] Black, Jeremy. A Brief History of Slavery. Philadelphia, London: Running Press Book Publishers; Robinson, 2011. 4.
[6] Ibid., 246-247.
[7] Biggar, Nigel, Colonialism: A Moral Reckoning. London: Williams Collins Books, 2023. 20.
[8] Black, Jeremy. A Brief History of Slavery. Philadelphia, London: Running Press Book Publishers; Robinson, 2011. 53.
[9] Biggar, Nigel, Colonialism: A Moral Reckoning. London: Williams Collins Books, 2023. 62.
About the Author
Kim Sanford
8 responses to “May we listen and learn”
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Hi Kim,
A Great post. You wrote, “Let me be clear, these perceived good intentions do not excuse injustice. Perhaps the lesson for us today is that we are all susceptible to blindness when the “water we swim in” (i.e. our society or culture) has normalized something that is, in fact, wrong.
So absolutely true.
On a side note, If President McKinley had not annexed/colonized Hawaii in 1897, my identity would be quite different.
Rather than a U.S. Army Officer, missionary, and now doctoral candidate, I would be the subject of the Kingdom of Queen Liliuokalani. (No thanks, by the way.)
Things like colonialism cannot be undone. It happened, and we, the “colonized,” have to push through assimilation/prejudice and victimization.
I, for one, am content to pursue the “American Dream.” My daughter is in the US Air Force Academy, and my son is in the US Army.
As a former colonist, I am content.
On another side note, the Hawaiians killed then boiled the flesh off of Captain Cook (a high honor back then). Then they hid his bones. (another high honor).
No salt or pepper added.
Shalom.
Excellent post, Kim. Regarding colonialism and Biggar, he seemed to argue for a softer view of colonialism, where the practice had both good and bad intentions/processes/outcomes. Biggar wrote, “the British Empire did good as well as evil” in its colonial moral past. I completely agree with your assertion that we are subject to our own cultural lens (it can completely blind us) — If you were to advise Biggar to re-write his book, what would you suggest he include that he might not have included (or change?)?
Thanks Kiim,
You began and concluded your post speaking to the inherent dignity and value of each person made in the image of God. I have just started reading through the various blogs…but I suspect many of us will name this belief and value in our posts (I did as well)….and as I read your post, I had the question: If we just declared this one truth: That all people are made in God’s image and of inherent value, worth, and dignity….I wonder how radically that would have influenced not only the Trans-Atlantic slave trade…but all of the other various injustices and abuses that currently exist on our planet. It would seam to me that nearly every conceivable problem on our planet would significantly diminish or completely disappear if every person held this primary truth…
Let it be so, Lord!
Hi Kim,
I appreciate your thoughtful post. The story and art work are profound. I was particularly struck by this phrase, “…good intentions do not excuse injustice.” I have always wondered how missions efforts play into creating both positive and negative change. As you pointed out, both Christian and Muslim efforts contributed to the problems inherent in slavery and colonialism. I wonder about our modern day efforts and what unintended negative impacts we have right along with the positive. I have been sensitive and curious about that personally.
I remember as Cambodia opened up how wonderful it was to be part of the early Christian and humanitarian efforts and yet right along side us were those coming in to take advantage and sew seeds of evil. And of course, as a Buddhist nation, our Christian motives were suspicious.
What do you think are are some potential unintended effects today that we should be watching out for? Where are our blind spots?
You bring up a very important issue, one that we certainly wrestle with even today. The danger is probably more apparent in other parts of the world, but even in our European context we have to be very careful to avoid simply importing American ways of worship, discipleship, etc. I think the unintended consequence of failing to contextualize well is that a new church will feel foreign and thus not really feel normal to locals, especially those who are far from God.
How have you bumped up against this issue in your career? Any specific examples of something you wish you had contextualized better or differently?
Great post Kim, history is complicated isn’t it. I find myself wanting to put this group or that group into the “good” or “bad” category, sometimes you can, but many times you realize that the line between good and evil really does run through every human heart. It’s not just a white or European thing, its a human thing to want to exploit and dominate when given the chance. I love that you began with the “kingdom of God” and that another way of living and being has been brought into our world. Thank God.
Hi Kim,
I am very inspired by your post. The values you convey about colonialism are clear and firm. You also provide real examples from history so clearly. You wrote, “How ignorant and how arrogant humans can be when we perceive only through our own cultural lens.” In your opinion, how can Christian leaders today make people aware not to become modern colonialists who may no longer physically hold hostages but financially exploit them?
Blessings
Kim,
This was a thoughtful post. Thank you for sharing your perspective. You wrote, “My hope, as I conclude these reflections, is that we might learn from past injustices and past missteps. May we listen carefully to history and listen carefully to each other across cultural divides. Above all, may we prioritize the dignity of each human being as one made in the image of God.” That is my hope also, my friend.