“Those who ignore the lesson of the past, will be doomed to repeat it.” George Santayana
Contemplations on History, Suffering, and Hope in the Light of the Gospel
As a Minister of the Gospel, I have often pondered the depths of human suffering. I reflect on the call the Lord places upon our hearts to pursue love, justice, and reconciliation. Yet, few chapters in the annals of history evoke as profound a sorrow within me. This sorrow arises from the era commonly known as the Scramble for Africa. Learning about the events of this time is heartbreaking. Powerful nations carved up a continent, indifferent to the humanity of its peoples. This was a heartbreak that echoes through generations. It was a time that changed the trajectory of millions of lives. It cast long shadows that still linger across the vast and vibrant lands of Africa.
The Scramble for Africa spanned roughly from the late nineteenth century into the early twentieth. It was driven by imperial ambition and greed. There was a disregard for the sacredness of every human soul. European powers convened at the Berlin Conference of 1884–85 under the guise of civilization and progress. They drew lines on maps with little heed for ancient kingdoms. They ignored cultures and the dignity of those who called Africa home. From the pulpit, we are charged to speak the truth in love. The truth is this: the division and dominion brought about during this period unleashed suffering. It caused exploitation and trauma on a scale that is hard to comprehend.
The Scriptures remind us that every person is created in the image of God, imbued with inherent worth and purpose. Yet, during the Scramble for Africa, this foundational truth was obscured by the darkness of colonial ambition. Families were separated, communities uprooted, and cultures suppressed. Untold numbers endured forced labor, violence, and indignity—wounds that often remain unhealed to this day. As a minister, my heart aches for those lost. My heart also aches for the generations forced to live with the consequences of decisions made in distant capitals. These capitals are far removed from the realities and aspirations of African peoples.
Minister A Francine Green
afrancinegreen.com 