I woke to a follower writing to tell me that, if the British had never colonised the world, slavery would never have ended because the Brits are the only ones civilised enough to have ended it (glossing over the fact that the Brits were also the biggest traders in the 18/19thc) 1

This is an extremely superficial & downright perverse view of history. I'm not a complete Manichean where Empire is concerned. Colonialism can have good effects on the colonised, both intentional & accidental. The motives of individual colonisers vary. 2/

It allowed some to do enormous good they might never otherwise have done (hello, Annie Besant & William Jones). And some horrific customs were ended (sati). Noble savages are a myth & native tradition is not a good in itself. 3/

It also led to some accidental but unavoidable consequences that have been enormously helpful (hello to the approx. 10% of Indians who are superbly fluent in English). But that shouldn't obscure the fact that colonialism is about exploitation. 4/

And that the wealth of Britain in its heyday was founded on the despoiling of the colonies (esp. India) & on the economics of the slave trade. We conveniently forget since most of it took place away from these actual shores). But where do you think the cotton & sugar came from? 5

I really don't understand the constant need to whatabout & apologise for & glorify British imperialism. It's OK. I don't hold you responsible for the sins of your ancestors; I don't consider any country to carry some indelible moral stain. I don't believe in collective guilt. 6/

But I DON'T think the fact that some good came of British colonial projects means no evil was done by anyone or that because there have been many other empires & many colonial projects throughout history, we MUST NOT study this one or must put on rose-tinted specs to view it 7/

And this is what I get from my followers EVERY SINGLE TIME I mention this topic: WAAAAH! I am crying & my feelings are hurt! Other people also enslaved people; other empires existed. Therefore, WE MUST NEVER EVER TALK ABOUT THIS. SHUT UP SHUT UP SHUT UP SHUT UP! 8/

Don't be so infantile. 9/

Anyone who messages to tell me the Bengal famine was good actually because reasons will be permanently muted. I'm also muting this thread because too many of you are too childish to cope with this subject. 10/