Angered by the Historic Grievance Industry

This whole 'slavery reparations' issue has angered me a little. Last night, as I was settling down for bed, I asked myself why. Why does this annoy me so much?

On reflection I think it's the dishonesty.

The lawyers of international Marxism will say, "It's not about money. We just want a formal apology. That's all we want ..just one little apology."

Of course, when you give it they then use that official admission of guilt as leverage for the reparations: "You owe us! You even admitted it! Look we have the apology. If you didn't do anything wrong what were you apologising for?!"

It's sneaky behaviour, and it's a common pattern. Whether it's wanting Boris to apologise for 'partying' during lockdown, or wanting the government itself to apologise for some other specific issue.

"We just want an apology. We just want some acknowledgement."

My instinct is to say something very sexist now: That this is how women behave in relationships. However, I think that would be unfair, as when women say this to men they generally do want the actual acknowledgement. They're not cynically using it as political leverage to get money and power (usually, lol).

Of course, once you become wise to this political tactic you realise that giving an inch means they take a mile. But alas, the problem with just stone-walling them is that it then looks like you don't care (or even actively support) the thing they're complaining about. In this case, something very heinous - slavery.

It's a double bind.

So it's annoying that they're doing it, but it's also annoying that I'm falling into the trap.

Yesterday I got blocked on Twitter by the author Michael Rosen for quote tweeting "How much will you personally be giving, Michael?" in response to him tweeting about the Caribbean sugar trade.

It irked me a little that he blocked me, but I also irked myself, as my comment was a bit reactive and childish. It wasn't a very adult way to argue a point. He's a leftist who no doubt genuinely believes in the rightness of the opinion he holds. The worldview is ingrained in the minds of our political and educated class. Especially those of a certain age. So I need to remember this. There are whole swathes of people that genuinely believe that Britain is the big bad monster, responsible for all the world's ills. They're not all Lawyers of International Marxism, chasing ambulances. Eyes lighting up at the thought of government billions.

Of course, it is an industry. The money goes somewhere, and it certainly doesn't go to the long dead victims of the actual slavery.

Again though, the 1960s liberal mindset (I want to say boomer, but I can't quite bring myself to do it). It almost doesn't understand the concept of money. It's an abstract mathematics used to weigh up justice in their minds. They throw around crazy figures that can just be magically given. Not understanding the burden they place on current and future generations.

And it's easy to throw around, as it's not just other people's money, it's Britain's money ..and as Britain is an abstract monster in their mind the money is abstract too. There's no sense that living people, that had nothing whatsoever to do with slavery, will be paying for it in reality.

I've made the analogy before that people on the left have a relationship to power similar to the relationship between a child and parent. When a toddler playfights with an adult they can throw all their weight behind their little punches, safe in the knowledge they can't possibly harm the adult, as the adult is so much bigger. Then when they get older they retain that same sense - that the adult is impervious. So continue to hit hard. At some point with children you have to say to them, "Listen, you're six years old now, when you punch me it actually hurts. I'm not as big and tough as you think I am. You're going to break my nose if you hit me in the face. So stop, or playfight more gently."

This is similar to what leftists are like when they get power, only, unlike the child, they often don't learn to show mercy and go easier on their opponents.

The left were in the ascendant all through the twentieth century. They've already had a lot of success. Britain has already given vast amounts in aid. We now have the empire within our border, as we house people from all over the world. Whilst the great grandchildren of those that ran the British Empire are now struggling to buy or rent their own homes. And that's even if you fully buy into that narrative ..the reality is, most of those great grandparents were working in factories and down coalmines.

Whichever way you frame it, these boomers (there I said it), ever increase the burden, without ever questioning if Britain can bear it. Endlessly and carelessly giving away money they'll never be responsible for paying.

It's like a prince watching their father, the mad king, dole out money and jewels as the castle walls crumble.

Any Prime Minister worth their salt should say, "No, it's 2026. Britain and the Royal Navy ended slavery a long time ago. The people of modern Britain have nothing to apologise for."