In a thought-provoking discussion, Alex Renton, author of 'Blood Legacy' and descendant of slaveholders, unearths his family's unsettling ties to the transatlantic slave trade. He shares the emotional turmoil of discovering ancestral letters revealing brutal truths about slavery. Renton emphasizes that the impacts of this history are not just ancient relics, but ongoing realities affecting racial justice today. The conversation also touches on the complex legacy of Enlightenment figures and the urgent need for reconciliation and reparations in contemporary society.
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question_answer ANECDOTE
Family History of Slavery
Alex Renton discovered family archives referencing Jamaica and Tobago, hinting at his family's involvement in slavery.
His mother dismissed it, claiming everyone was involved, but this prompted Renton to investigate further.
insights INSIGHT
Renton's Motivation
Renton's investigative nature and skepticism of the establishment fueled his deep dive into his family's history.
His posh education, including attending Eton with Boris Johnson, fostered this rebellious spirit.
question_answer ANECDOTE
The Fergusons and Slavery
The Fergusons, Renton's ancestors, were prominent figures in Scotland, involved in politics and the Edinburgh Enlightenment.
They were considered decent and educated by 18th-century standards, yet they owned and traded slaves.
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The Patient Assassin by Anita Anand delves into the life of Udham Singh, an Indian revolutionary who assassinated Sir Michael O'Dwyer in revenge for the Jallianwala Bagh massacre. The book explores Singh's journey from a low-caste orphan to a determined assassin, weaving together historical events and personal narratives. Anand's work provides a nuanced view of Singh and the broader context of India's struggle for independence.
The Anarchy
The East India Company, Corporate Violence, and the Pillage of an Empire
William Dalrymple
The Anarchy recounts the remarkable rise of the East India Company from its humble beginnings in 1599 to its military dominance over the Indian subcontinent by 1803. The book details the company's territorial conquests, starting from the Battle of Plassey in 1757, and its eventual control over large swaths of Asia. Dalrymple draws from previously untapped sources, including Indian, Persian, and French materials, to provide a vivid and detailed story of corporate greed, violence, and the fall of the Mughal Empire. The book also explores the broader implications of corporate power and its impact on colonial rule.
The Slaves Lament
The Slaves Lament
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Robert Burns
While not a full-length book, "The Slaves Lament" is a powerful poem by Robert Burns that expresses the suffering and oppression of enslaved people. Written in the voice of an enslaved person, the poem vividly depicts the horrors of slavery and the longing for freedom. Burns's work stands in stark contrast to the realities of his own potential involvement in the slave trade, highlighting the complexities of his legacy. The poem's emotional intensity and its condemnation of slavery make it a significant contribution to anti-slavery literature. It serves as a reminder of the human cost of slavery and the importance of empathy and compassion.
Legacy of Blood
Jews, Pogroms, and Ritual Murder in the Lands of the Soviets
Elissa Bemporad
Elissa Bemporad's "Legacy of Blood" meticulously examines the persistence of pogroms and blood libels in the Soviet Union, challenging the myth of their eradication. The book delves into the complex relationship between the Soviet regime and its Jewish population, revealing the ambivalent nature of their alliance. Bemporad analyzes the Soviet response to antisemitism, highlighting the fluctuating policies that ranged from condemnation to disregard. The study also explores the impact of the Civil War and World War II on Jewish communities, examining the lasting effects of violence and trauma. Ultimately, "Legacy of Blood" offers a nuanced and comprehensive understanding of antisemitism's enduring presence in the Soviet context.
Slavery may have been abolished in 1838, but its legacy lives on in Britain today. A lot of the nation benefited financially from the trade, none more so than the slaveholders who were compensated during abolition. Today, William and Anita are joined by Alex Renton, whose family were such beneficiaries. Listen as he argues that slavery is not ancient history: it's a bit of our past that still haunts the present in real and tangible ways.
Empire 
