Te acuerdas un incómodo pasado

Summary

This script discusses the historical context of slavery in Cuba, highlighting an 1832 Havana newspaper ad selling a young black woman. It emphasizes the legality of the slave trade until 1820 in Spain and its abolition in 1886. The script also touches on the origins of banking linked to slave trade profits and the religious justifications that led slave traders to fund philanthropic projects like schools, markets, and churches as penance. The narrative serves as a reminder of Spain's recent history with slavery and the significance of the World Day Against Slavery.

Takeaways

• 📰 The script discusses a newspaper advertisement from Havana, 1832, which offered a young black woman for sale, highlighting the historical reality of human trafficking.
• 🚢 Between 1.5 to 5 million African slaves were transported to Cuba during the transatlantic slave trade, which was a legal business until 1820 in Spain.
• ⚫ The term 'barcos negros' or 'black ships' refers to the vessels that carried enslaved Africans from Africa to the colonies.
• 🇪🇸 Slavery was not abolished in Spain until 1886, marking a late end to this inhumane practice in the country.
• 🏦 The slave trade is mentioned as one of the origins of modern banking, indicating the economic impact and the involvement of financial institutions in this dark history.
• 💼 Many slave traders were religious individuals, reflecting the complex interplay between faith and commerce during that era.
• ⛪ The Catholic Church did not condone slavery, and those involved in the trade were often required to perform penance, such as building schools, markets, and churches.
• 🌍 The World Day Against Slavery is an opportunity to reflect on the historical acceptance and profitability of slavery in Spain, which was only 125 years ago.
• 🗓 The script emphasizes the relatively recent nature of Spain's abolition of slavery, providing a historical context for contemporary discussions on human rights.
• 📖 The advertisement from 1832 serves as a stark reminder of the commodification of human beings and the long-lasting effects of the slave trade on societies and individuals.

Q & A

What is the main subject of the newspaper advertisement from Havana, 1832?

The main subject of the advertisement is the sale of a young black woman, indicating that human beings were being sold as commodities at that time.

How many African slaves are estimated to have arrived in Cuba during the 18th century?

Between 3 and 5 million African slaves are estimated to have arrived in Cuba during the 18th century.

What were the 'barcos negreros' mentioned in the script?

The 'barcos negreros' were slave ships that transported African slaves from African coasts to colonies. They started their journeys from Spanish ports.

When was the slave trade considered legal in Spain?

The slave trade was legal in Spain until 1820, and it was not abolished until 1886.

What is one of the origins of banking mentioned in the script?

One of the origins of banking mentioned is the slave trade, which was a lucrative business during that period.

What did the religious slave traders do to atone for their actions according to the script?

The religious slave traders built schools, markets, and churches as a form of penance to atone for their participation in the slave trade.

What is the Vatican's stance on the slave trade as mentioned in the script?

The script implies that the Vatican did not condone the slave trade, as it required those involved to perform penance, such as building educational and religious institutions.

What is the World Day Against Slavery and why is it significant?

The World Day Against Slavery is significant as it serves as a reminder of the historical tolerance and profitability of the slave trade, which was only abolished in Spain 125 years ago.

How does the script describe the attitude of the society towards the slave trade during the 18th century?

The script describes the society's attitude as one of tolerance towards the slave trade, considering it a lucrative business, even among the religious who were supposed to condemn it.

What is the connection between the slave trade and philanthropy as discussed in the script?

The connection lies in the fact that some slave traders, who were also religious individuals, turned to philanthropy by building schools, markets, and churches as a way to atone for their involvement in the slave trade.

What does the script suggest about the role of the Catholic Church in the context of the slave trade?

The script suggests that the Catholic Church, while not condoning the slave trade, played a role in the atonement process by requiring those involved to perform acts of charity and build institutions.