The Black History of Oppenheimer

The recent film Oppenheimer is guilty of one crucial omission:  the involvement of people of the Congo in the development of the atomic bomb.  

As is well known, the Congolese were forced to harvest rubber after the country was made the private estate of King Leopold of Belgium.  They were subjected to amputations if they failed to meet their quotas, as well as other horrific punishments.  I talked about this history here.  

What is probably less known is that the Congolese were also used to mine the uranium which Oppenheimer used to create the first atomic bombs. The highest quality uranium in the world came from Congo.  This was a top-secret operations in which the workers were exploited.  

As the author says, "I kept seeing what was missing: Black miners hauling earth and stone to sort piles of radioactive ore by hand".    Go here to read more. 

Go here for more African history blog posts.  

Were you aware of the role Congo played in the creation of the atomic first bomb?  Please comment below, and please share this with your networks.  Thanks.  

 

African History Blogs

Nelson Mandela and Family

I have listed some of my African history blog posts below.

See also:  Black History Blogs.    

Please note, I DO NOT distinguish between Black history and African history, but I have listed them separately because I know that this distinction matters to some people.

When we learn about what has happened, what has been done to people, on the African Continent and in the Diaspora, it is clear that it is all the same story. We are one people. 

Benin bronze

Please share these with your networks, and particularly with parents, children and young people, and teachers and schools.  Please leave your comments on the individual posts. 

And remember, EVERY MONTH IS BLACK HISTORY MONTH/AFRICAN HERITAGE MONTH.   

African History: Invasion 1897 - this links to some of my other African history blogs 
including blogs about Kenya, Namibia and the Congo..

Break the Silence Congo Week

Black People in the First World War

Mugabe: Villlain or Hero? 

Remembering Sharpeville and Sophiatown

The Sowetan:  Jumping the Border for Water

Sweet Crude - The Niger Delta

Film Review: Long Walk to Freedom

A Light Has Gone Out

World War One:  The Crucial Battle for Togo 


See also:   Black History Blogs. 

Please share these with your networks and please leave your comments on the individual posts.  Thanks.

Black History: Break the Silence Congo Week 2014

Mutilated in Congo

In the 19th century, under the rule of King Leopold II, Congolese people were enslaved, forced to work in their own country, which had been turned into the king's private estate, and mutilated when they failed to meet the quotas that had been set for rubber extraction. 

For a fifth year, Black History Studies will take part in the Break the Silence Congo Week for Black History Month. 

The purpose of the Break the Silence Congo Week is to raise consciousness about the devastating situation in the Congo and mobilize support on behalf of the people of the Congo. 

Click here for details.  

For lots more Black history images, see:  African Images and Black History International on Pinterest. 

Herbert Ekwe Ekwe on the Igbo Genocide and Biafra

Click here to watch some very interesting short videos about Herbert Ekwe Ekwe on the Igbo Genocide and Biafra.

Plus, check out this article on Africa's Hidden Presidents. I do not agree with its portrayal of African women. Most people rejected the portrayal of women exerting power in the bedroom 40 years ago or more.

Further, this article does not reflect the position of most women in Africa. However, it may have some validity.

We will continue to discuss African Networking on What U Need to Know in May. Click here to listen.

Child Soldiers in the Congo

When we see negative images of Black people on our screens, we are not given the historical and economic context for these issues.

On Saturday, on What U Need to Know, we will be discussing African Networking. Click here to listen at 2 p.m. EST/7 p.m. UK time.

Saw a very interesting programme on Channel 4's Unreported World, "The Children Who Came Back from the Dead", about a charity that is rescuing child soldiers in Congo and returning them to their homes. The man who heads the charity is himself a former chid soldier.

You can still catch it on 4OD. Click here to watch it.

Many of these children were running away from abusive homes. Others were seeking somewhere where they could find security and would have enough to eat. But when they joined the militia, they were subjected to further abuse, as well as drugging and sexual attacks.

The area where this is occurring, which is known as the Great Lakes region of Africa, includes Congo, Uganda, Rwanda and Burundi, all of which have seen some of the most vicious fighting in Africa over the past 15-20 years.

In the videos below, former child soldiers describe their experiences and the atrocities they were trained and required to commit. Obviously, this footage is very disturbing.

Child Soldiers Fighting in the DRC

The Life of a Child Soldier in Congo

Click here to read about Johnny Mad Dog, a film based on the experiences of child soldiers in Liberia.

See also: Africa United.

In Uganda, children are routinely abducted and forced to fight in the Lords' Resistance Army (LRA). For more about this, see Uganda Rising.