Slavery, one of humanity’s darkest chapters, has left an indelible mark on societies worldwide, with the United States often singled out for its role in the transatlantic slave trade. This article explores the complex history of slavery, why the U.S. faces unique scrutiny despite slavery’s global prevalence, racial violence statistics from 1960 to 2024, and the troubling issue of race killings and chants in South Africa. It also examines whether media and government exacerbate racism and offers actionable solutions to address these enduring challenges. 

The Real History of Slavery 

Slavery predates recorded history, appearing as early as 6800 B.C. in Mesopotamia and becoming routine in ancient societies like Egypt, Greece, and Rome. In the modern era, the transatlantic slave trade (1500–1900) forcibly displaced over 15 million Africans to the Americas, with 10.7 million surviving the brutal Middle Passage. The United States, receiving about 400,000 enslaved Africans, was a smaller player compared to Brazil, which imported nearly 5 million. However, the U.S. system of chattel slavery—where enslaved people and their descendants were treated as property—stands out for its codified brutality and racialization. By the 18th century, American laws tied slavery to race, equating Blackness with servitude and whiteness with freedom, a legacy that entrenched systemic racism. 

Globally, slavery was widespread. The Ottoman Empire enslaved millions, including Africans and Europeans, while African kingdoms like Dahomey profited from selling captives. In Asia, systems like the Mughal Empire’s bonded labor persisted into the 19th century. The transatlantic trade, however, was uniquely devastating due to its scale, racial ideology, and economic impact, enriching European and American elites while impoverishing Africa. The United Nations estimates that the trade’s legacy—racism, inequality, and trauma—continues to marginalize people of African descent worldwide. 

Why the U.S. Faces Global Scrutiny 

The United States is often viewed negatively for its history of slavery due to several factors: 

• Scale and Documentation: While smaller than Brazil’s, U.S. slavery was meticulously documented, with institutions like banks and universities profiting directly. This transparency, combined with the U.S.’s global influence, amplifies its visibility. 

• Racial Legacy: The U.S. codified race-based slavery, embedding anti-Black racism into law and culture. Post-1865 Jim Crow laws, segregation, and ongoing disparities in wealth, health, and criminal justice perpetuate this legacy, drawing international criticism. 

• Global Leadership Role: As a self-proclaimed beacon of democracy, the U.S. faces heightened scrutiny for failing to live up to its ideals. The 2008 election of Barack Obama was seen as progress, but persistent racial inequalities undermine this narrative. 

• Comparative Context: Other nations, like Brazil, abolished slavery later (1888), but their histories of interracial mixing and less rigid segregation contrast with the U.S.’s stark Black-white divide, making American racism appear more entrenched. 

This scrutiny is not entirely fair, as slavery was a global institution, but the U.S.’s prominence and failure to fully address its legacy make it a focal point for criticism. 

Racial Violence Statistics (1960–2024) 

Racial violence in the U.S. has evolved since the Civil Rights era, with data reflecting both progress and persistent challenges: 

• 1960s–1970s: The Civil Rights Movement saw significant violence, including the assassinations of Martin Luther King Jr. (1968) and Malcolm X (1965). The FBI’s Uniform Crime Reports (UCR) recorded over 1,000 race-related homicides during this period, often tied to segregationist backlash. Lynching, though reduced, continued, with at least 20 documented cases. 

• 1980s–1990s: Hate crimes became better tracked after the Hate Crime Statistics Act of 1990. The FBI reported 8,000–10,000 hate crimes annually, with 50–60% motivated by race, predominantly anti-Black. High-profile cases like the 1991 Rodney King beating fueled tensions. 

• 2000s–2010s: Police violence gained prominence, with studies estimating 1,000–1,200 police killings annually, disproportionately affecting Black Americans (2.5 times higher per capita than whites). The 2014 Ferguson unrest and Black Lives Matter movement highlighted these disparities. 

• 2020–2024: The 2020 killing of George Floyd sparked global protests. Mapping Police Violence data shows 1,147 police killings in 2023, with Black Americans comprising 24% of victims despite being 13% of the population. FBI hate crime data for 2022 reported 10,299 incidents, 52% race-based, with 40% targeting Black individuals. Racial disparities in arrests persist, with Black Americans arrested at 3 times the rate of whites for violent crimes, linked to systemic factors like over-policing. 

These statistics reveal a decline in overt racial violence since the 1960s but highlight ongoing issues with systemic racism in policing and hate crimes. 

Race Killings and Chants in South Africa

South Africa’s history of apartheid, a system of racial segregation from 1948 to 1994, has left deep wounds. While not directly tied to the transatlantic slave trade, colonial exploitation and racial ideologies shaped its racial dynamics. Recent incidents of racial violence and inflammatory rhetoric include: 

• Farm Murders: Since the 1990s, attacks on white farmers have been contentious, with estimates of 1,500–2,000 killings from 1994 to 2024. These are often framed as racially motivated, though economic factors like land disputes play a role. Black farmers also face violence, but data is less centralized. 

• Xenophobic Violence: Attacks on African immigrants, particularly from Zimbabwe and Nigeria, spiked in 2008, 2015, and 2019, with over 700 deaths and thousands displaced. These incidents reflect tensions over resources and jobs, often fueled by anti-foreigner rhetoric. 

• Racist Chants and Incitement: In 2024, the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) faced criticism for reviving apartheid-era chants like “Kill the Boer,” which some interpret as incitement to violence against white farmers. The South African Human Rights Commission has condemned such rhetoric, noting its potential to inflame racial tensions. Conversely, right-wing groups have used inflammatory language against Black South Africans, perpetuating division. 

• Context: South Africa’s Gini coefficient (0.63) reflects extreme inequality, with Black South Africans facing higher poverty rates (55% vs. 10% for whites). Land reform remains a flashpoint, with 60% of arable land owned by white farmers despite Black South Africans comprising 80% of the population. 

These issues highlight how historical racial divisions continue to fuel violence and mistrust, exacerbated by economic disparities and political rhetoric. 

Are Media and Government Causing Racism? 

The media and government can both mitigate and exacerbate racism: 

• Media: Sensationalist coverage often amplifies racial stereotypes. For example, disproportionate focus on Black crime in U.S. media reinforces biases, with studies showing Black suspects are more likely to be depicted as threats. Conversely, media can educate, as seen in coverage of George Floyd’s killing, which spurred global anti-racism movements. In South Africa, media polarization—some outlets stoking fear of “white genocide,” others downplaying racial violence—deepens divisions. 

• Government: Policies like redlining (U.S.) and apartheid (South Africa) historically entrenched racism. Today, U.S. policies like stop-and-frisk disproportionately target minorities, while South Africa’s slow land reform fuels resentment. However, governments also drive progress, such as the U.S. Civil Rights Act (1964) or South Africa’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission (1995). Inaction, though, perpetuates systemic issues, as seen in the U.S.’s failure to address police reform comprehensively or South Africa’s stalled reparative justice. 

Both entities can inflame tensions by prioritizing political agendas or profit over truth. For instance, algorithmic bias in social media amplifies divisive content, while government rhetoric—whether downplaying systemic racism or stoking fear—can polarize communities. 

Solutions to Address Racism and Its Legacy

Tackling the legacy of slavery and ongoing racial violence requires multifaceted approaches: 

1. Education: Governments should mandate curricula on slavery’s history and its modern impacts, as recommended by UN Secretary-General António Guterres. This counters revisionism and fosters empathy. South Africa’s inclusion of apartheid history in schools is a model, though implementation needs consistency. 

2. Reparatory Justice: The UN and CARICOM advocate for reparations to address slavery’s economic fallout. In the U.S., proposals range from financial compensation to land redistribution. South Africa’s land reform must accelerate to address disparities without inciting violence. 

3. Policy Reform: U.S. policing needs oversight, with measures like banning chokeholds and mandating de-escalation training. South Africa should strengthen hate speech laws and address economic inequality through targeted job creation. 

4. Media Accountability: Media outlets must prioritize balanced reporting and avoid sensationalism. Fact-checking initiatives and diversity in newsrooms can reduce bias. 

5. Community Dialogue: Grassroots efforts, like South Africa’s Truth and Reconciliation model, can foster understanding. In the U.S., community-led forums on race can bridge divides. 

6. Global Solidarity: The UN’s Decade of People of African Descent (2015–2024) calls for data-driven policies to address systemic racism. Extending this initiative could unify global efforts. 

Slavery’s legacy—racial inequality, systemic discrimination, and violence—continues to shape the U.S. and South Africa, among others. The U.S. faces scrutiny for its codified racial slavery and persistent disparities, amplified by its global prominence. Racial violence, while reduced since the 1960s, remains a challenge, with police killings and hate crimes in the U.S. and farm murders and xenophobic attacks in South Africa reflecting deep-seated tensions. Media and government can fuel racism through bias and inaction but also have the power to drive change. Solutions lie in education, reparative justice, policy reform, and honest dialogue. By confronting slavery’s legacy head-on, societies can move toward equity and healing, honoring the resilience of those who endured its horrors. 

Sources: United Nations, Smithsonian Magazine, American Transportation Research Institute, FBI Uniform Crime Reports, Mapping Police Violence, South African Human Rights Commission, and others as cited.