David Van Reybrouck: "Slavery was not a European invention. What was a European invention was the abolition of slavery"

David Van Reybrouck discusses the complexities of colonialism and its legacy in Europe, emphasizing the ambivalence surrounding historical narratives. He notes that while colonialism was once a source of pride, it has become a source of shame, leading to a struggle in confronting the past. Van Reybrouck highlights the need for a nuanced understanding of figures like King Leopold II and the role of Portuguese missionaries in the Congo. He argues that the current discourse often simplifies colonialism to symbolic gestures rather than addressing structural issues, such as climate change, that continue to affect former colonies. He advocates for a more comprehensive approach to discussing colonial history, including the involvement of African elites in the slave trade.