A book based on my life in Antwerp, Belgium
In 1914, when the Germans invaded Belgium during the war,
they committed many grievous atrocities against the civilian population. It is
estimated that nearly 6,000 Belgians were killed, and 25,000 homes and 837
communities were also destroyed. This historical fact is considered the
greatest crime against humanity in Belgium.
To a country like Belgium during that period, the destruction was
tough, but compared to what King Leopold II did to Congo during the colonial
era, one can agree that what the Germans did to the Belgians was just the tip
of the iceberg. Nevertheless, crime, whether small or big, should be punished,
even though many seem to elude it.
The swift European scramble for African territory took place from the 17th century to the 20th century.
The European Kingdoms, including France, England, and Belgium, took advantage
of the cordial relationship and trust between them and the tribal chiefs and
plundered the continent. Among the greediest, brutal, and savage was King
Leopold II of Belgium.
Leopold colonized Congo, which officially became his personal
property in 1876. Under the pretense of protecting the Congolese, the world
witnessed the slaughter of men, women, and children.
Dreaming of becoming the
world’s richest king and to supply the demand for rubber in Europe for the auto
and bicycle industries, King Leopold set up a reign of terror in the heart of
Congo.
To produce enough wild rubber, those who failed suffered the
consequences. Leopold’s men held the wives and children of the rubber tappers
hostage until they brought him exactly what he wanted.
Those unable to supply
his demand had their villages burned down, men were hanged, starved to death, and others genital organs tied.
Children's hands were chopped off as punishment for late
deliveries. While many were calling Leopold a murderer and seeking justice to
be hanged, the Belgians were covering up his crime.
There is no doubt that King
Leopold II is the moral forebear of Adolf Hitler, responsible for the death of
10 million people, during his exploitation of the Congo, between 1870 and 1900.
The rebellious rubber tappers who tried to fight Leopold’s
men were quickly defeated, and many fled to hide in the bush. Leopold told his
men to go after them in the forest, giving them instructions to bring the right
hand of every killed victim as proof.
How can the world go free, and Jesus
Christ, who hasn’t committed any crime, carry the cross alone? Instead of King
Leopold facing punishment for his crimes, he was hailed as a great humanitarian
king with statues, monuments, and streets named after him.
Sadly, Belgium has such a bad history, as a country
built on exploitation, suffering, and the flow of the blood of massacred
children.
No matter how hard they try to cover up this heinous crime, this
historical crime will remain indelible. What we are witnessing in Belgium
today is unusual.
Many are scared and predicting the end of the world. While
many are committing suicide, others are fighting for power, yet they don’t know
the hour.
Innocent blood can’t be shed; therefore, Belgium shouldn't pretend they have forgotten about this crime.
No sacrificial lamb or compensation could heal the wounds and broken spirits of
the victims of Congo as a country. King Leopold II of Belgium was nothing
more than a criminal, murderer, rapist, and thief.
I think he was worse than Adolf Hitler. His statues should
all be broken down, and all streets named after him should be denounced. As an African
writer, I feel very privileged to write this article, because no Belgian journalist would have written it since there isn’t any true journalism in
Belgium.
The truth must be spoken because it’s the only light that can conquer or overcome darkness. A Congolese holding the wrist of his
child, children, victims of amputation, and a father sitting and watching the
hacking of the wrist and foot of his child.
Photo credit: History photos. Excerpts from the book 'Little
Boygium-Wonderful Experience.'
