Behind the Bastards

Part One: Cecil Rhodes: The First Proud Boy

7 snips
Oct 6, 2020
Dive into the intriguing life of Cecil Rhodes, a controversial colonial figure whose ambitions shaped modern capitalism and racial ideologies. Discover how his privileged upbringing fueled a sense of entitlement and paved the way for exploitative practices in the diamond trade. The conversation humorously contrasts local coffee farmers who can't afford their own produce, shedding light on capitalism's absurdities. Explore the colonial history of the Zulu Wars and the evolution of a diamond empire, revealing the dark roots of exploitation and its lasting impact today.
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ANECDOTE

Child Cecil's Jam Order

  • Cecil Rhodes showed superior attitude even as a child, ordering his nurse to make more jam after eating it.
  • This story highlights his early sense of entitlement and command over others.
INSIGHT

Cape Colony's Early Legal Equality

  • Early Cape Colony law theoretically gave equal rights to black men who owned property.
  • However, segregation was not yet codified and some white lawmakers opposed discrimination legally.
INSIGHT

Rhodes on African Labor Views

  • Indigenous Africans preferred independence and self-sufficiency over laboring for wages.
  • Rhodes saw this as a problem for integrating them into capitalism.
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