One thing that can really help with the study of colonialism is the proper sourcing of (and translating if needs be) of first hand accounts. This should be the

One thing that can really help with the study of colonialism is the proper sourcing of (and translating if needs be) of first hand accounts. This should be the starting point of any discussion. Dr Remi does this well. There are two objections I have to this piece. The academic points are sound and very good, however There is a throw away at the end "opening the door for white people to shed any guilt". This feels very catholic original sin. Barbarism underscores colonialism, as does greed, this is undeniable. But we cannot tar an entire race with the sins of their ruling elite forebears. (just as its inexcusable to discriminate on the basis of race) The second is the underplaying of the level of colonialism in europe it's self. It suggests (wrongly) that the europe was the land of milk and honey. At the time that the newly formed united kingdom was sniffing around india (pre nationalisation of the EIC) napoleon had invaded most of europe. The ramifications we still feel today. At the time of the british empire was collapsing, russia was brutalising the eastern bloc.