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Jodi Yaccino's avatar

What a horrible history lesson. You can be sure we never learned anything about this in USA public schools! But then again, the white-washed history they did try to teach us was mostly lies and misinformation. This new information just reinforces my hatred of capitalism, colonialism, and white supremacy.

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Gladwyn d'Souza's avatar

👏 👂 👏. You should turn this essay into a book, a more relevant melding of finance genocide and consumption. Albanese’s recent report provides additional context. “The VOC's business model—privatize profits, socialize violence—became the template for modern multinational corporations.“

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Bob Martin's avatar

Brilliant essay, a much needed history lesson. I agree with Gladwyn, you (or someone) should write a book about this.

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Lindsey Louther's avatar

We were taught in school that history in South Africa began in 1652 when the Dutch under the leadership of Jan van Riebeeck landed at the Cape (Cape Town). It was as if the indigenous peoples had not existed before then. Well, the rest is history. Thank you Karim for lifting the Dutch fingerprints on the many atrocities that they have committed in so many countries and for which they have never been held to account.

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Annabel's avatar

I just subscribed for your writing. My writing is not that great, so it's hard to express how beautiful, lucid and moving some of the pieces on Bettbeat have been.

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BettBeat Media's avatar

Thank you Annabel, that means a lot. - Karim.

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