That Africa sold African Americans into slavery is one of the most persistant and deceptive stereotypes involving the continent. Africa DID NOT sell African Americans into slavery. Several handful African kings and merchants in a handful of west African countries sold their conquered enemies into slavery. In addition to this millions of slaves were kidnapped and forced into slavery.
An entire country can not be held accountable for the actions of a misguided tyrant, let alone an entire continent. It must also be pointed out that almost every society in the world had some type of slavery. This was not a unique practice native to Africa. What was unique was "chattel" slavery that Europeans practiced in the Americas, where blacks were treated like animals. The participation of "some" Africans in the Trans-Atlantic slave trade is certainly not a proud moment in our history. However the belief that Africans, not Europeans, were ultimately responsible for black slavery is a deceptive tactic by whites to absolve themselves of the responsibility for how "they" treated African American slaves. It saddens me that there are African American who are actually adopt this viewpoint.
An entire country can not be held accountable for the actions of a misguided tyrant, let alone an entire continent. It must also be pointed out that almost every society in the world had some type of slavery. This was not a unique practice native to Africa. What was unique was "chattel" slavery that Europeans practiced in the Americas, where blacks were treated like animals. The participation of "some" Africans in the Trans-Atlantic slave trade is certainly not a proud moment in our history. However the belief that Africans, not Europeans, were ultimately responsible for black slavery is a deceptive tactic by whites to absolve themselves of the responsibility for how "they" treated African American slaves. It saddens me that there are African American who are actually adopt this viewpoint.