Got TIPS or BREAKING NEWS? Please call 1-284-442-8000 direct/can also WhatsApp same number or Email ALL news to:newsvino@outlook.com;                               ads call 1-284-440-6666

The double edge sword of Colonialism

Thomas C. Famous. Photo: Provided
Thomas C. Famous

The English language is one of the most powerful tools in the world.

In one breath, one can use words such as Empire and Commonwealth. Simultaneously, visions of both global grandeur and worldwide holocaust come to mind.

These last two weeks, 11 days to be precise, have exposed us to a whitewashing of history. Some reveled in the pomp and pagentry of yesteryear. Others were reminded of how that gross amount of wealth really came into existence.

It is a safe bet that the world will forever be divided on how we view the British Empire and its Monarchs. As we have seen recently, some have allowed themselves to believe that colonisation and indoctrination was/is a good thing.

Others will forever reject the notion that genocide, slavery and land theft are values to be praised.

Some, will rightly say, "To each their own."

The next few years will be very interesting, as less and less former colonies accept someone from the UK as their head of state. No European nation accepts a foreign King. Why should another independent country do so?

Yet, we will have those apologists who will say we must forgive and forget how those countries became empires. That is a sign of Stockholm Syndrome when one has more sympathy for their captors than for themselves.

The calls for reparations will rise as well. There is no justification that Eupopean countries of; Britain, France, Spain, Portugal and Denmark, should retain the wealth stolen from persons in Asia, Africa and the Americas.

In the year 2022 are we really to accept that the colonisers should have trillions of dollars in stolen wealth and the colonised be struggling to survive?

Yet, alas there will be those who attempt to use carefully crafted words to step around these issues. Yes, the doubled edged sword called the English language.

9 Responses to “The double edge sword of Colonialism”

  • jack (20/09/2022, 18:47) Like (0) Dislike (4) Reply
    Another good read
  • Forbidden Truth (20/09/2022, 22:00) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    When it comes to Colonialism Mr. Famous. The razor blades are invisible.
  • BVI tourist (21/09/2022, 08:03) Like (1) Dislike (2) Reply
    The British were the 1st to end slavery. Imagine what the world would look like had they not colonized North America and the USA did not exist. Ask the people of Hong Kong if they would rather be part of the UK or China....
  • HIGH & FAMOUS (21/09/2022, 08:32) Like (3) Dislike (1) Reply
    ALL YOU AND A SET OF PEOPLE WITH
    CANNIBALISTIC MENTALITY SPEWING OUT THESE DAYS IS ( WHITE ) RACISM AND HATRED , HOW ABOUT THE ( BLACK ) ONE ❓ ???? / IF YOU HATE THE BRITISH SO MUCH , WHY USE THEIR LANGUAGE / CHANGE YOUR NAME , EVEN JESUS WAS CRUCIFIED , YET HE NEVER HATE ANYONE / THE QUEEN DIED , BUT SHE COULDN'T TAKE BUKINGHAM PALACE WITH HER / WE ALL COME AND MEET THIS LAND AND WE ALL WILL GO AND LEAVE IT HERE , GET A LIFE BRO / TRY PRAYING ????
  • @ HIGH & FAMOUS (21/09/2022, 13:24) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
    You are totally clueless. Praying is the only thing people like you can do. Equal Rights and Justice means reparation one way or the other. Keep dreaming.
  • @ high & famous (21/09/2022, 16:44) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    looks like you missed the message , so perhaps you and jokers like you can enlighten us on the ( true African history ) from the beginning , if you overstand ( EQUAL rights and justice ) then maybe you might see who is dreaming . AMEN
  • @ HIGH & FAMOUS (21/09/2022, 19:16) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    What has been making jokers like you high and famous is over. It will take many a long time to realize it others will never. Thomas Famous is perfectly right. Why does the truth offend so many people. What we are about to experience will come as a nightmare to many especially those with money and material possessions. Fasten your seat belts its gonna be a wicked roller coaster.
  • E. Leonard (23/09/2022, 12:26) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    The UK (~94,000 square miles) controlled a vast empire consisting of ~14M square miles, 25% of the globe, and over 400M people, stretching from North America to Antarctica and from Australia to Africa, Europe and Asia. The British Empire which included the slave trade, and slavery made the UK incredibly wealthy. But that wealth came at a high cost at the expense of the indigenous and enslaved people. The Empire inflicted much pain, suffering and murder on the people it subjugated. It changed communities, industries, cultures, and lives and livelihoods. In addition to the exploitation and expropriation of the land, labour, etc, the traditions, ie, language, religion, heritage, customs, and history of the local people were wiped out. It is important to note that the British Empire and slave trade and slavery had close links to the monarchy, QE1, Charles 1, Charles II (Royal African Company), etc. The monarchy and the UK benefitted immensely from the profits from slavery and the Empire. The passing of QEII ended an era and starts a new era for King Charles III. The reign and focus must include making the countries and people wronged whole, ie, reparation programmes, etc.
    • one sided (23/09/2022, 16:38) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      In the dark cloud of the Empire, it is unfortunate that you could not find any gray in the dark cloud about the Empire. Instead, you chose to beat upon that dead horse slavery. The UK has acknowledged that slavery was an atrocity. No need to continue beating a dead horse. Didn’t the plantation owners in the BVI left the land to slaves and their descendants? Is not that making slave descendants whole? Show some compassion and ease up on monarchy.They are in a state of mourning. Give the new royals a chance.


Create a comment


Create a comment

Disclaimer: Virgin Islands News Online (VINO) welcomes your thoughts, feedback, views, bloggs and opinions. However, by posting a blogg you are agreeing to post comments or bloggs that are relevant to the topic, and that are not defamatory, liable, obscene, racist, abusive, sexist, anti-Semitic, threatening, hateful or an invasion of privacy. Violators may be excluded permanently from making contributions. Please view our declaimer above this article. We thank you in advance for complying with VINO's policy.

Follow Us On

Disclaimer: All comments posted on Virgin Islands News Online (VINO) are the sole views and opinions of the commentators and or bloggers and do not in anyway represent the views and opinions of the Board of Directors, Management and Staff of Virgin Islands News Online and its parent company.