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The Transatlantic Slave Trade: 500 Years Later the Diaspora Still Suffers

August 26, 2025

The article examines the Transatlantic Slave Trade as a foundational element of American history whose legacy continues to impact society today. It highlights current political tensions around how slavery is taught and remembered, with concerns about attempts to sanitize this history. The piece explores the cultural, religious, and demographic impacts of forced African migration, which created distinct African American communities and influenced American culture.

Who is affected

  • Black Americans and people of African descent throughout the diaspora
  • African nations divided during the Berlin Conference
  • Museums and educational institutions like the Smithsonian
  • Modern societies in Europe, North America, the Caribbean, and South America
  • Cultural institutions that continue to reflect the legacy of slavery
  • Educational systems teaching about slavery's history

What action is being taken

  • The article series is being re-run to confront America's painful past
  • President Trump's administration is reviewing museum exhibits and threatening funding cuts to institutions presenting unvarnished history of slavery
  • Scholars and experts like Paul E. Lovejoy, Dr. Arikana Chihombori-Quao, and others are actively researching and sharing information about slavery's impacts
  • Institutions like UNESCO are documenting and presenting historical information about the transatlantic slave trade
  • The Center for Critical Race Studies and HBCU Green Fund are supporting education about slavery's history and impacts

Why it matters

  • The transatlantic slave trade fundamentally shaped American society and culture
  • Accurate historical understanding is under threat from political forces seeking to minimize slavery's brutality
  • The legacy of slavery continues to impact racial inequality today
  • Knowledge of slavery's full history provides insight into the resilience of African Americans
  • Understanding the economic benefits European nations and the United States derived from slavery helps explain current global power structures
  • Recognizing how slavery funded the development of industries, institutions, and arts illuminates its ongoing influence on modern aesthetics and culture

What's next

  • No explicit next steps stated in the article

Read full article from source: The San Diego Voice & Viewpoint