> For example, do you feel it's appropriate to blame race
Where did I "blame" race? And for what?
People who are white have done horrible things in Africa. People who are black have done horrible things in Africa. It is, however, a simple fact that the people who are white came to Africa from other places.
Looking at the history, I don't think it's difficult to make a strong argument that, on the whole, the arrival of white Europeans on the continent has hurt the (black) people who were already there more than it has helped them.
That's not blaming white people for all that ails Africa. It's also not disingenuously dismissing the malign influence white Europeans have had on the continent.
Again, let's look at the statement the OP took issue with and suggested was racist:
> Men like Denard but perhaps a little less theatrical—many of them South Africans—took the next logical step. They founded businesses with boring-sounding names but a deadly purpose: to fight Africa’s nastiest conflicts on behalf of corrupt, inept governments, and for profit
Where's the racism in this? Is this not true?
Where did I "blame" race? And for what?
People who are white have done horrible things in Africa. People who are black have done horrible things in Africa. It is, however, a simple fact that the people who are white came to Africa from other places.
Looking at the history, I don't think it's difficult to make a strong argument that, on the whole, the arrival of white Europeans on the continent has hurt the (black) people who were already there more than it has helped them.
That's not blaming white people for all that ails Africa. It's also not disingenuously dismissing the malign influence white Europeans have had on the continent.
Again, let's look at the statement the OP took issue with and suggested was racist:
> Men like Denard but perhaps a little less theatrical—many of them South Africans—took the next logical step. They founded businesses with boring-sounding names but a deadly purpose: to fight Africa’s nastiest conflicts on behalf of corrupt, inept governments, and for profit
Where's the racism in this? Is this not true?