Dear Sir,

I have read with interest the Black History Month stories in The Royal Gazette and find some of the stories fascinating.

However, I cannot help but notice that most of the articles are based on slavery and the post-slavery era. I consider most of the events as a dark and gruesome history highlighting the period of white supremacy, which controlled and determined black destiny in the so-called new world. I will admit, though, that many advancements and positive changes for blacks followed because of those events.

I am no expert or prolific in black history, but I have to ask why hasn’t the history of blacks in the pre-slavery/colonialism era been featured when blacks in Africa had a rich cultural/social history, with great rulers such as Endubis, King of Axum, who was the first king to mint coins. Or Musa Keita I of ancient Mali. Forbes named him the richest man of all time who established libraries, Islamic universities and massive buildings in Mali. Other names worth mentioning are black pharaohs such as Cush, Amenhotep and Rameses II.

Great nations were established like Mali, Benin, Congo and Egypt (Kemet) that had complex political structures. Art and technology flourished. In those times, Africans were particularly skilled in medicine, mathematics and astronomy. Ethiopia and Nubia, who built pyramids, were also great. Trade was immense throughout Africa and was also carried out with Europeans through merchants in West Africa.

Undoubtedly, those times were tainted with wars, but it was the time of true black greatness, with positive attributes and traditions that would have a positive educational impact on the modern black society — and whites, for that matter.

This part of black African history was rarely taught or talked about. There is a vast amount of information on the internet and many books available that feature pre- colonial, African history that can educate and enlighten one if desired.

IVAN CANN