Queen Elizabeth's death sparks discussions surrounding colonialism online
Reactions have poured in from all over the world in the aftermath of Queen Elizabeth’s death.
Her son, King Charles III, has shared his message of grief, while politicians like Prime Minister Justin Trudeau gave condolences to the Royal Family.
While most reaction from the public has been mournful, the Queen’s death has also sparked discussions surrounding colonialism.
Many stress that her participation in colonialism should not be overlooked.
“Reminder that Queen Elizabeth is not a remnant of colonial times,” said one Twitter user, sharing a DW News video about a woman who was tortured during Kenya’s struggle for independence from Britain’s rule. “She was an active participant in colonialism.”
Reminder that Queen Elizabeth is not a remnant of colonial times. She was an active participant in colonialism. She actively tried to stop independence movements & she tried to keep newly independent colonies from leaving the commonwealth. The evil she did was enough https://t.co/SDGi0boCzx
— Nsafoa’s Feminist Duck 🏳️🌈 (@YaaAsantewaaBa) September 8, 2022
A brief history lesson on British colonialism
The British Empire was built by European colonizers, including members of the Royal Family who enslaved African and Indigenous people, and exploited the colonies’ resources.
While Queen Elizabeth reigned during Britain’s post-colonial era, her goal was to preserve it as much as she could through the Commonwealth.
According to Smithsonian Magazine, the political association was formed as a response to India gaining independence in 1947. The British Empire was crumbling and this was meant to maintain its relevancy outside of the UK.
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In a guest essay for The New York Times, Harvard history professor Maya Jasanoff details the atrocities that continued to occur under the Queen’s rule.
“What you would never know from the pictures — which is partly their point — is the violence that lies behind them,” she wrote, referring to a photo of Queen Elizabeth at a Commonwealth leaders conference.
Jasanoff lists Britain’s acts of violence against anti-colonial movements in Kenya, Cyprus, and Yemen. Civilians in these countries were sent to detention camps and subjected to brutal torture, all during the Queen’s reign.
The professor acknowledges that we may never truly know whether the Queen knew about these crimes. However, a Guardian article from 2012 revealed that Britain actually destroyed records of colonial crimes that “might embarrass Her Majesty’s government.”
“Don’t speak ill of the dead”
Many were sympathetic and condemned others for choosing to criticize the Queen in the aftermath of her death.
Americans are welcome to shitpost but they should be warned of intense depths of feelings here: it’s hard to explain but millions feel the Queen is their spiritual grandmother. It’s not like a dying President. But the passing of the chief saint of a still felt British religion.
— Ben Judah (@b_judah) September 8, 2022
You don’t need to be a royalist to admire and respect someone who gave a lifetime of service in a way that was unparalleled. Both views can exist in harmony. #QueenElizabeth #RestInPeace pic.twitter.com/CEXic2TjkY
— Helen (@Helen_E78) September 8, 2022
While others pointed out that “don’t speak ill of the dead” glazes over the Queen’s flawed history.
A person can be loving & loved, widely respected, and still be someone who has caused great harm – either directly, or indirectly, or by perpetuating unexamined attitudes and/or behaviors
These are not mutually exclusive
Crucial to admit -especially- with influential figures
— M. Belanger (@sethanikeem) September 8, 2022
“don’t speak ill of the dead” is for your aunt who got a little too tipsy at parties and didn’t season her food, not heads of a colonialist empire who made many, many, many people’s lives actively worse, hope this helps <3
— rot girl summer (@1001cranes) September 8, 2022
One Twitter user even reflected on how she is the first of her family not to be born in a British colony.
As the first generation of my family not born in a British colony, I would dance on the graves of every member of the royal family if given the opportunity, especially hers. https://t.co/yeIQRSyCQM
— Zoé (@ztsamudzi) September 8, 2022
Twitter user @tha_rami put it succinctly:
Queen Elizabeth II has passed away. My condolences to those who mourn her, and to the many who instead use this momentous moment to mourn & reflect on the atrocious effects the British crown & government had & has during her reign on their nations, economies, liberty, and people.
— Rami Ismail (رامي) (@tha_rami) September 8, 2022