04 JANUARY 2024
Episode 1: Slavery and The Beginning of Racism in The British Royal Family
This episode explores the relationship between the British Royal Family and the enslavement of Africans from Queen Elizabeth I to King William IV and the ingrained and systemic racism in the British Royal Family as an institution.
The enslavement of Africans and the continuation of racism against black people and people of colour is a continued blight on the history of mankind perpetuating systemic injustice, inequality, and the enduring struggle for true equality and social justice. Throughout my research, I’ve found that the British Royal Family has done just about everything short of erasing the monarchs from their history to eliminate their involvement in the business of slavery. While there have been attempts to downplay or distance themselves from this dark aspect of their past, the historical record is clear in revealing the deep connections between the British monarchy and the transatlantic slave trade. From financial investments in slave-trading companies to direct participation in the exploitation of enslaved people, the monarchy’s role is a stain that cannot be easily wiped away.
Addressing this historical injustice requires not only acknowledgment but also a commitment to actively contribute to dismantling the legacies of slavery and racism. This entails using their influence to promote education about the historical realities of slavery, supporting initiatives that aim to rectify the long-lasting effects of systemic inequality, and engaging in meaningful dialogue with affected communities. By openly confronting and learning from this painful history, the British Royal Family, like many institutions worldwide, has the opportunity to be a force for positive change and contribute to the ongoing fight for true equality and social justice. Only through such genuine efforts can we hope to move toward a future free from the shackles of systemic racism and discrimination, but alas, they would rather push their history in the slave trade to the shadows.
Notes
The research for this podcast was conducted through the British Royal Archives, Articles written by reporters from the Guardian paper, and peer-reviewed papers by historians from Cambridge University, Oxford University, The University of Chicago, the University of Bristol, the Australian Journal of Biography and History, Harvard University, the University of Southampton, the official royal website, Royal Museums of Greenwich, George Washington University, The Washington Street Journal, The New York Times, University of Glasgow, English Heritage, Princeton University… and more!
Recap & Takeaways
Every member of the British Royal Family from Queen Elizabeth I to King William IV were deeply involved with, perpetrated, financed and encouraged the enslavement of Africans for their own enrichment.
Racism is systemic not only in the British psyche but in their institutions as well.
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