Empire……David Olusoga
Anyone else watching this history series? Very interesting, at times utterly harrowing. I like David Olusoga’s programmes, always worth tuning into, and he has such a good presentation style.
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David Olusoga is a great presenter, very knowledgeable and interesting to listen to. We have enjoyed the last couple of Empire programmes. As you say it is quite surprising to find out how native people were treated in past years, wherever in the world they were. I don’t understand why people want to hide any references to this part of our history, as horrific as it may be, it is still our history and it needs to be remembered and recognised for what it was. Learn from and never repeat.
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Totally agree @heddlo Its not just the slavery as well, the whole indenture and transportation system was horrific. You can’t help thinking that underneath a facade of wealth and privilege there was a horrible mindset, whilst not as horrific as the slavery, the British poor had dreadful and short lives.
David Olusoga’s siblings are very interesting as well.
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Haven’t watched the programmes but learned a lot by visiting half a dozen former British colonies - I expect Olusoga will paint his usual one sided picture but the British record in many parts of the world is not at all bad by any means.
More should go and see how India has prospered since the start we gave them, look at the millions who fled mainland China because life in Hong Kong was better, learn about progressive social policies which were introduced at a very early stage in New Zealand and the attempts to bridge relationships with the Māori people. Things were far from perfect in days gone by - but there are two sides to the story.0 -
You really need to watch the programmes ET. Olusoga takes a very balanced view. Tourists, (like yourself) are only allowed to see what ruling Governments want them to see.
Some of the Middle East countries still operate a form of indentured slavery now, the Kafala system. Behind all the trappings of wealth, prosperity, modernity lies an almost medieval life based on near slavery. Rife with no safety, violence, abuse, hence all the bad publicity around the Qatar World Cup, and lots of other sporting events. A very close comparison with the kind of indentured work researched by Olosuga for his series.
India was the most wealthy place on Earth prior to the British arriving by the way, that’s the very reason they went out there. Possibly not why it collapsed from that position, but it certainly made it easy for it to become ripe for exploitation. Every time I look at the “pink bits” on older maps, I can’t help thinking that at some point human beings are very likely to have been exploited or mistreated. Not the only “empire” by any means, but a great deal of the country we know and love has unsavoury elements hidden in the depths.
Being white, reasonably well off and male is an “unconscious bias” starting position.
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As usual, I find the content of the programs David Olusoga fronts is something we should all be made aware of. Judging our actions of two hundred years ago by modern standards is difficult, but our history is undoubtedly at times a vial and appalling thing, a disgusting embarrassment, but equally a reflection on how [most of us] have progressed in our actions towards our fellow man.. Whilst the content is enthralling what I find difficult is his presentation, that comes across as "pity me" with the weight of history on his shoulders alone. I will continue to watch though.
Colin
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David Olosuga doesn’t just “front” programmes @eribaMotters he researches, writes and presents them. He’s an award winning historian rather than a TV presenter. His background, upbringing is an interesting read.
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