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| Facing up to the shame of our imperial past | Facing up to the shame of our imperial past |
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| George Monbiot writes a very powerful article on our colonial past (Deny the British empire's crimes? No, we ignore them, 24 April), but the sins of the fathers cannot justifiably rest on the sons and daughters. However, we must acknowledge what has happened in the name of the British and try to gain some pardon for the past. One way is to actively provide support to the descendants of these people, and my nephew is doing this via a charity called The Friends of Kadzinuni. The charity provides funding and support for health, education, recreation and economic development in Kadzinuni, a village a few miles inland from Mombasa. My wife and I visited it five years ago, and it was a humbling experience. While there, we also visited an orphanage for children orphaned or abandoned because of Aids. This charity, Tumaini (Swahili for hope), was set up by a lady from the UK during a visit to the area. | George Monbiot writes a very powerful article on our colonial past (Deny the British empire's crimes? No, we ignore them, 24 April), but the sins of the fathers cannot justifiably rest on the sons and daughters. However, we must acknowledge what has happened in the name of the British and try to gain some pardon for the past. One way is to actively provide support to the descendants of these people, and my nephew is doing this via a charity called The Friends of Kadzinuni. The charity provides funding and support for health, education, recreation and economic development in Kadzinuni, a village a few miles inland from Mombasa. My wife and I visited it five years ago, and it was a humbling experience. While there, we also visited an orphanage for children orphaned or abandoned because of Aids. This charity, Tumaini (Swahili for hope), was set up by a lady from the UK during a visit to the area. |
| Altruistic endeavours like these might perhaps do something towards giving back something for the lives we previously ruined. Brian Roberts Storth, Cumbria | Altruistic endeavours like these might perhaps do something towards giving back something for the lives we previously ruined. Brian Roberts Storth, Cumbria |
| • George Monbiot claims that the myth of the British empire goes unchallenged. I would go further and say that it continues to be actively promoted. Last year a statue was raised in Wales to the "controversial" explorer Henry Morton Stanley, celebrating his achievements in Africa. Using inhumane methods, Stanley, in the employment of Leopold II, helped set up the Congo colony that Conrad later described as the "heart of darkness". Fellow adventurer Richard Burton said of Stanley that he "shoots negroes as if they were monkeys". Stanley is sometimes described as a misfit but, like Nazi Germany, the British imperial project valued the services of misfits. The statue of one is to be found outside the library in darkest Denbigh. John Lloyd London | • George Monbiot claims that the myth of the British empire goes unchallenged. I would go further and say that it continues to be actively promoted. Last year a statue was raised in Wales to the "controversial" explorer Henry Morton Stanley, celebrating his achievements in Africa. Using inhumane methods, Stanley, in the employment of Leopold II, helped set up the Congo colony that Conrad later described as the "heart of darkness". Fellow adventurer Richard Burton said of Stanley that he "shoots negroes as if they were monkeys". Stanley is sometimes described as a misfit but, like Nazi Germany, the British imperial project valued the services of misfits. The statue of one is to be found outside the library in darkest Denbigh. John Lloyd London |
| • "Unless you have a strong stomach I advise you to skip the next paragraph," wrote George Monbiot. I neglected to follow the advice and read the paragraph, and it's horrifying. Nevertheless I am grateful to Monbiot. We must face the truth about our past or we will repeat it. We British are not angels, and nor are our rulers. We must open our eyes to what they have done, what they are doing, and fight for justice in our dealings with our fellow human beings. Penelope Maclachlan London | • "Unless you have a strong stomach I advise you to skip the next paragraph," wrote George Monbiot. I neglected to follow the advice and read the paragraph, and it's horrifying. Nevertheless I am grateful to Monbiot. We must face the truth about our past or we will repeat it. We British are not angels, and nor are our rulers. We must open our eyes to what they have done, what they are doing, and fight for justice in our dealings with our fellow human beings. Penelope Maclachlan London |
| • Having read George Monbiot on British actions in Kenya in the 1950s, I urge those who served in the British army in east Africa during those dreadful years to join me in returning the Kenya Campaign Medal to the Ministry of Defence. The medal is easily recognisable – it has the Queen's head on one side and on the other Britannia leading Africa (represented by a lion) towards the future (represented by a rising sun) – not a mass grave in sight. Stuart Scott Newcastle upon Tyne | • Having read George Monbiot on British actions in Kenya in the 1950s, I urge those who served in the British army in east Africa during those dreadful years to join me in returning the Kenya Campaign Medal to the Ministry of Defence. The medal is easily recognisable – it has the Queen's head on one side and on the other Britannia leading Africa (represented by a lion) towards the future (represented by a rising sun) – not a mass grave in sight. Stuart Scott Newcastle upon Tyne |
| • Sign over the entrance to British internment camp in Kenya in the 1950s: "Labour and freedom". | • Sign over the entrance to British internment camp in Kenya in the 1950s: "Labour and freedom". |
| Sign over the entrance to Auschwitz: "Arbeit macht frei". Dudley Turner Westerham, Kent | Sign over the entrance to Auschwitz: "Arbeit macht frei". Dudley Turner Westerham, Kent |
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