Certainly, the early days of the Empire’s colonization were less than friendly to the colonized in many cases. But during the later days, the Brits did much that was positive and eventually (mostly following WWII) left those colonies to govern themselves. Some of them may or not be better off for it, but they are entitled to their sovereignty and independence, for better or for worse.
Hard to imagine what our world would be like.. if, those “colonies” had been left to develop on their own.. would they still be a stone/bronze age.. at best, culture? History shows their development to be pretty stagnant and it took the greed of Europe to.. “enlighten” them.
I don’t get linking Queen Elizabeth 2nd to the sins of colonialization. It’s true that she inherited colonies when she ascended the throne. It’s also true within a decade most of those colonies granted independence. If you’re going to stick her with the blame for all of England’s past colonialization, at least give her the credit for letting those countries go.
The British Empire became the Commonwealth of Nations during Elizabeth’s reign because so many former territories became independent countries. She was not a colonizer – nor were her parents – and in fact, the royal family has very little influence over foreign policy.
Is the history of colonialism being twilight in British schools? I would hope so. The RWNJs that want to bury anything bad about the U.S. need to realize that ignoring history stops people from having the whole picture. Learning about the wart’s doesn’t make me ashamed. They gave me a greater understanding of challenges between various groups of people.
All of this is insane. Queen Elizabeth had absolutely nothing to do with British colonialism, and everyone who equates her with it is absolutely wrong. This is akin to condemning all the people who live in the south today, for the institution of slavery.
“Upstairs, Downstairs” a very successful British television series (1971-5) about the life of a rich London family and their servants in the early years of the 20th century. It was common in the houses of such families for the kitchen to be below the ground floor level, i.e. ‘downstairs’. Today it’s barbeque
Colonialism is always with violence, war, rape, pillage and extermination are key components of it. Those that survived could work for their new owners. In modern times since 1619 whites called themselves to be superior to those of darker colors. A difference from the past where color wasn’t the chief guiding principle of colonialism and empire. That caste system of whites on top and blacks on the bottom is still in operation and needs to be squelched and eliminated. It is institutionalized since before the formation of the USA where it still holds sway especially in policing organizations all over the country. Many policing systems were related to those black slave returning units created to drag them back to where they escaped from.
She is not personally responsible for imperialism. That doesn’t mean she, as heir to those who perpetrated it, could not have taken responsibility for it. I don’t know enough of her personal history; did she?
I like the ancient Egyptian idea of weighing one’s heart against a feather. Then, based on the result, you either went to a sort of Elysian Fields place, or you got eaten up by a really nasty creature.
It’s like blaming Trump for chickenpox blankets, or blaming Biden for Japanese internments. Yeah it was bad, and needs to be addressed, but it’s not on the person who had nothing to do with making those decisions.
Did Queen Elizabeth II contribute directly herself to the past abuses perpetrated by the monarchy? If not, then I’m not in favor of this political cartoon. As drawn, it appears to target her specifically rather than the institution of the monarchy, and I don’t think she deserves that.
As I post this, and now having read the vast majority of the comments posted before mine, I think I have it right and I totally agree with all of those other commenters.
I recently learned that the royals will no longer tour the countries of their former colonized brown and black indigenous people due to the bad photo ops: whites being driven around waving and grinning from open vehicles. There was never any real purpose for those visits by the queen. Unlike Princess Diana, she never personally interacted with the sick and infirm or actually walked among the citizens.
morningglory61 Premium Member 9 months ago
She wasn’t Queen Victoria, that was before her time. As far as I know the UK hasn’t been colonizing for a long time.
thelordthygod666 9 months ago
The last royal to influence English foreign policy was George IV in 1820s, although I understand the symbolism of the monarchy and colonialism.
guyjen2004 Premium Member 9 months ago
Certainly, the early days of the Empire’s colonization were less than friendly to the colonized in many cases. But during the later days, the Brits did much that was positive and eventually (mostly following WWII) left those colonies to govern themselves. Some of them may or not be better off for it, but they are entitled to their sovereignty and independence, for better or for worse.
Neat '33 9 months ago
A good example of “the haves, ’n the have nots”
Alberta Oil Premium Member 9 months ago
Hard to imagine what our world would be like.. if, those “colonies” had been left to develop on their own.. would they still be a stone/bronze age.. at best, culture? History shows their development to be pretty stagnant and it took the greed of Europe to.. “enlighten” them.
tung cha cha cha 9 months ago
The white invaders treated the black and brown people not as equals but as serfs!!!! Disgusting!
ChristopherBurns 9 months ago
I don’t get linking Queen Elizabeth 2nd to the sins of colonialization. It’s true that she inherited colonies when she ascended the throne. It’s also true within a decade most of those colonies granted independence. If you’re going to stick her with the blame for all of England’s past colonialization, at least give her the credit for letting those countries go.
Bill Löhr Premium Member 9 months ago
Just how much influence had Queen Elizabeth to do with the colonies? Wouldn’t any blame lie with parliament and the prime ministers?
ChattyFran 9 months ago
The British Empire became the Commonwealth of Nations during Elizabeth’s reign because so many former territories became independent countries. She was not a colonizer – nor were her parents – and in fact, the royal family has very little influence over foreign policy.
Nantucket Premium Member 9 months ago
Is the history of colonialism being twilight in British schools? I would hope so. The RWNJs that want to bury anything bad about the U.S. need to realize that ignoring history stops people from having the whole picture. Learning about the wart’s doesn’t make me ashamed. They gave me a greater understanding of challenges between various groups of people.
GaryCooper 9 months ago
Very apt.
Lola85 Premium Member 9 months ago
All of this is insane. Queen Elizabeth had absolutely nothing to do with British colonialism, and everyone who equates her with it is absolutely wrong. This is akin to condemning all the people who live in the south today, for the institution of slavery.
knutdl 9 months ago
“Upstairs, Downstairs” a very successful British television series (1971-5) about the life of a rich London family and their servants in the early years of the 20th century. It was common in the houses of such families for the kitchen to be below the ground floor level, i.e. ‘downstairs’. Today it’s barbeque
Monchoxyz 9 months ago
When the chicken come home to roost.
Night-Gaunt49[Bozo is Boffo] 9 months ago
Colonialism is always with violence, war, rape, pillage and extermination are key components of it. Those that survived could work for their new owners. In modern times since 1619 whites called themselves to be superior to those of darker colors. A difference from the past where color wasn’t the chief guiding principle of colonialism and empire. That caste system of whites on top and blacks on the bottom is still in operation and needs to be squelched and eliminated. It is institutionalized since before the formation of the USA where it still holds sway especially in policing organizations all over the country. Many policing systems were related to those black slave returning units created to drag them back to where they escaped from.
Havel 9 months ago
She is not personally responsible for imperialism. That doesn’t mean she, as heir to those who perpetrated it, could not have taken responsibility for it. I don’t know enough of her personal history; did she?
rionmorrison69 9 months ago
Our record is just as bad!
William Bednar Premium Member 9 months ago
I like the ancient Egyptian idea of weighing one’s heart against a feather. Then, based on the result, you either went to a sort of Elysian Fields place, or you got eaten up by a really nasty creature.
CorkLock 9 months ago
The Good Lord does not blame Her Highness for other people’s sins. We are judged for our own.
RabbitDad 9 months ago
It’s like blaming Trump for chickenpox blankets, or blaming Biden for Japanese internments. Yeah it was bad, and needs to be addressed, but it’s not on the person who had nothing to do with making those decisions.
Rich Douglas 9 months ago
Elizabeth didn’t colonize anyone. Also, more than 40 former colonies and territories became independent nations during her rule.
Totally Not a Killer Dolphin 9 months ago
I think Mr. Alcaraz has his Elizabeths mixed up.
LeftCoastKen Premium Member 9 months ago
Did Queen Elizabeth II contribute directly herself to the past abuses perpetrated by the monarchy? If not, then I’m not in favor of this political cartoon. As drawn, it appears to target her specifically rather than the institution of the monarchy, and I don’t think she deserves that.
As I post this, and now having read the vast majority of the comments posted before mine, I think I have it right and I totally agree with all of those other commenters.
tung cha cha cha 9 months ago
I recently learned that the royals will no longer tour the countries of their former colonized brown and black indigenous people due to the bad photo ops: whites being driven around waving and grinning from open vehicles. There was never any real purpose for those visits by the queen. Unlike Princess Diana, she never personally interacted with the sick and infirm or actually walked among the citizens.
CorkLock 9 months ago
Rule the masses? Thank God my Lord is LORD of All. Not Man.