Obama deeply moved by 'evil' slave fortress

[Turborama]

On a historic visit to Africa, the president delivers a rallying cry for an end to war and corruption

The Observer, Sunday 12 July 2009

Barack Obama, creating history on his first visit to sub-Saharan Africa as US president, said visiting the slave fortress of Cape Coast Castle yesterday reminded him of the capacity of human beings to commit great evil.

After a stirring speech urging the ushering in of a new era of politics delivered to a packed convention hall in the Ghanaian capital Accra, Obama and his family toured the white-walled slave fortress to the sound of beating drums and chanting from a huge crowd outside. They walked through the maze of rooms and dungeons in which slaves had been kept captive and saw the famed "door of no return" through which tens of thousands passed on their way to a life of bondage in the New World.

Later, on a spot overlooking the ocean, Obama spoke of being deeply moved by the experience that reminded him of visiting Nazi concentration camps. "It is reminiscent of the trip that I took to Buchenwald. It reminds us of the capacity of human beings to commit great evil," he said, adding that he had been especially struck by the seeemingly incongruous presence of a church near the slave dungeons. "Sometimes we can tolerate and stand by great evil even as we think we are doing good," he said.

The moment has immense symbolism for both Africans and black Americans, so many of whom can trace their ancestors back to the slave trade. Though Obama himself is not descended from slaves, his wife and two daughters are. "It is particularly important for Malia and Sasha who are growing up in such a blessed way (to know) that history can take very cruel turns," he said.

In his speech earlier, he delivered a rallying call to end corruption and warfare. Obama lectured a crowd of assembled dignitaries - and an entire continent watching on television - to break from their troubled history. "At this moment history is on the move ... America will be with you every step of the way as a partner, as a friend," he said.

Full article: http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2009/jul/12/barack-obama


Accra, Ghana, 11 July 2009: U.S. President Barack Obama holds a baby
as U.S. first lady Michelle Obama watches during their visit to
LA General Hospital Photograph: Jason Reed/Reuters

[NYC_SKP]

1. How very odd of them to headline it, "moved by 'evil' slave fortress"

With quotes around "evil", like it's just an opinion, not their own.

:shrug:

[BlooInBloo]

2. I wonder if they described Obama as being moved by 'evil' concentration camp?

[Bolo Boffin]

3. I think it's in quotes because Obama called it evil

Not because anyone's questioning its evilness.

[AllentownJake]

4. People want to forget this country was built on slavery

Our oldest Federal Buildings were built with forced labor.

[wroberts189]

5. Obama is sending a message to the elite overlords.

I am getting ready to kick your whitey ass!

[slackmaster]

6. I don't sense that from him at all

Bear in mind that the enslavement of black Africans was every bit as dependent on black Africans as it was on white Europeans. It was black Africans who rounded up people to be sold for profit. Europeans provided the financial incentive. Black Africans did much of the dirty work.

[asteroid2003QQ47]

7. We've made great strides and evolved into multi-hued slaves with benefits, ...of sorts. n/t