Two Perspectives on African Involvement in the American Institution of Slavery

A fictional letter from African historian John Thorton to conservative talk show host Michael Medved, concerning this article:

http://www.townhall.com/Columnists/MichaelMedved/2007/09/26/six_inconvenient_truths_about_the_us_and_slavery

October 3, 2007

Esteemed Mr. Medved---

My name is John Thorton and I recently read your article "Six Inconvenient Truths about the US and Slavery." As I am sure you are aware, I am a trained African historian and author of the book Africa and Africans. Many of the points in your article parallel the ones that I examine in my book, although with a different focus. I emphasize that Africans were active participants in the creation of the Atlantic World, including of course the slave trade. You stress that the United States was not "uniquely blameworthy" for the institution of slavery. Essentially, our arguments go hand in hand. I want to thank you for taking my arguments seriously and making them available to a wider audience.

I definitely agree with your statement that "slavery was an ancient and universal institution, not a distinctively American innovation." I would especially like to praise you for recognizing that the practice of slavery in Africa was a "timeless norm long before any intrusion by Europeans." In my book, I explain how African societies essentially had the upper-hand in the Trans-Atlantic slave trade. They were, after all, the ones who generally captured future slaves---not the Europeans, as is commonly believed. The Africans sold their prisoners of war, debtors, and criminals into slavery because it was a lucrative market for them even before European contact. Once they began trading with the Europeans, though, it became even more desirable of a practice, in which they could obtain weapons, textiles, and other valuable commodities. All in all, Africans chose to engage in slave trade. The Europeans did not force them into it. You are absolutely right in asserting that slavery was not an American invention.