In the early 1990s, a contentious debate emerged when Farrakhan’s Nation of Islam published “The Secret Relationship Between Blacks and Jews,” drawing from research by Jewish historians. This publication implicated contemporary Jews in various historical injustices, including involvement in the slave trade centuries ago. The controversy escalated when a professor at Wellesley College included the book in an African-American history class, prompting protests from Jewish students and calls for the professor’s job review by several national Jewish organizations. The Simon Wiesenthal Center and the Anti-Defamation League condemned the book, likening it to notorious anti-Semitic propaganda from the 20th century.
While some acknowledge that certain Jewish individuals participated in the slave trade, they argue that focusing solely on Jewish involvement is unjustified and potentially anti-Semitic. However, others vehemently oppose any discussion of Jews’ role in the slave trade, dismissing it as hateful and bigoted. Yet, historical evidence, much of it from Jewish scholars, confirms some level of Jewish participation.
The transatlantic slave trade, largely associated with the United States, primarily sent Africans to South America and the West Indies. Brazil, in particular, was a major destination, with millions of Africans arriving there. The trade was closely linked to the sugar industry, which fueled economic growth in Europe and the colonies. In Brazil, Sephardic Jews from Portugal played a significant role in both sugar cultivation and the slave trade.
After Brazil’s Portuguese recapture in 1654, some Sephardic traders fled to other parts of the West Indies, contributing to the sugar and slave economies in areas like Martinique, Guadeloupe, Jamaica, and Barbados. While they played a role in these economies, they were not the primary beneficiaries, and their involvement varied across regions.
In Suriname and Curacao, Dutch colonies, Jews constituted a substantial planter class and were heavily involved in sugar production and slave trading. In Amsterdam, Jews held a notable stake in the Dutch West India Company, a major player in the transatlantic slave trade.
In colonial North America, Jewish merchants were involved in various trades, including shipping, but their participation in the slave trade was comparatively minor. While some Jews owned slaves or participated in slave trading, the dominant players in the American slave trade were non-Jewish.
The complexity of Jewish involvement in the slave trade challenges both extreme narratives. On one hand, claims that Jews had no involvement are unfounded, while assertions of widespread Jewish culpability are exaggerated. The omission of this aspect of history in popular accounts has led to misunderstandings and allowed certain individuals to exploit the narrative for political gain.
Understanding the nuanced role of Jews in the slave trade is crucial for a comprehensive understanding of this dark chapter in history. It highlights the interconnectedness of various communities and the need to confront uncomfortable truths to foster reconciliation and understanding.