Withdrawal of books and censorship of professors: Colonialism disappears from British universities

In the Anglo-Saxon academic world, the colonization It has become a taboo subject. The only acceptable thesis is one that supports the exploitation of blacks by the oppressors of whites. The basis of “systemic racism” for which (all) whites are the creators and responsible. Colonialism was certainly (also) this, but to propose treatises different, or at least with nuances compared to the Vulgate, is not recommended by those academics who do not want to be a victim of the guillotine of “cancel culture”.

In fact, proposing uncomfortable theses can cause many problems. Robert Hughes, author of the hit article, knows something about it whine culture (Adelphi), where he mentions how the African slave trade, for example, the trade of blacks, was an Islamic invention,”Developed by the Arab merchants in the enthusiastic co-operation of their fellow blacks, it was institutionalized with the most heinous savagery centuries before the arrival of the white man on the African continent; It continued long after the North American slave trade had been suppressedAn intolerable treatise for extremists of political correctness.

It is forbidden to talk about colonialism

As Giulio Miotti writes the papernow finally in the dock Nigel BiggarLecturer at the University of Oxford. The professor was approached by the English publishing house Bloomsbury to write a book on colonialism. Terms were agreed upon and Biggar delivered the book, titled Colonialism: A moral reckoningAt the end of 2020. The article’s thesis is that the British Empire learned from its mistakes and was increasingly motivated by humane and liberal ideals, particularly through the abolition and suppression of slavery. In the past, Biggar had already been publicly criticized by several colleagues when he launched an interdisciplinary project in which he proposed to lay the board and study the strengths and weaknesses of English colonialism.

A letter signed by more than 170 scientists From the United Kingdom, the United States, India, South Africa, and other countries have argued that the university was wrong in supporting Biggar’s project, called “Ethics and Empire,” and supported by the university’s MacDonald Center. Also on that occasion, Biggar was accused of being an “apologist” for British colonialism. Now, the same publishing house that entrusted Biggar with the book Colonization has decided to dump it and cancel the contract. Sarah Broadway, co-chair of Bloomsbury, explains:Conditions are not conducive to publicationIn response to a request for more in-depth explanations, the publishing house responded with the following:We believe that public opinion on this subject does not currently support publication of the book and we will re-evaluate it next year“.

Professor Gilly’s case

Before Biggar, another lecturer was treated similarly. This is a Portland State University professor, Bruce Jellyauthor The Last Imperialism: Sir Alan Burns’ Epic Defense of the British Empire. The essay, which was to be published in 2020, was to be the first volume in a series published by Rowman & Littlefield. As you remember the paperJelly’s book has passed editing and proofreading by Lexington, a subsidiary of Rowman & Littlefield, and has won the endorsement of two colonial history princes, Jeremy Black and Tirthankar Roy. result? It was picked up at the last minute, even though the distributor had already been dispatched. “I attribute the ease and speed of my recent cancellation to the moral panic caused by Black Lives Matter. It has taken cultural inclusivity to new heights.” Explanation on columns Wall Street Journal.

Previously, the professor actually ended up at the center of the controversy, a few years ago, when he wrote an academic article arguing that colonial rule also brought benefits to the indigenous people. A trifle, if you will, which cannot be repeated publicly: indeed, the article unleashed a storm of protest and indignation on the part of the academic left. A few months ago, Geli returned to the topic, publishing a book arguing that the lands were under German colonial rule. They reaped great benefits. The academic world should not treat colonialism as an “indisputable evil”: one can easily admit its crimes without denying that there is a reverse side to the coin. But in the Anglo-Saxon universities the ideological approach – always in one direction – seems to prevail unfortunately.