How can we apologise for slavery when slavery at the time, and for most of human history, was accepted as the norm. If we could resurrect an old slave trader from the past, like John Hawkins, he would wonder what the fuss was all about. He would point out that at the time no one questioned slavery, maybe not even slaves-although they probably pitied their lot- so what is the point? Europe approved of slavery without question, as did Africans and Arabs, all of whom were active in the trade. We should be wary about projecting modern views and attitudes on past generations. They don't fit. We should also be wary about this whole apology culture that is a product of white middle class people wallowing in guilt-and loving it. For them, it has a curious cathartic effect in exactly the same way some people from minority groups (I refuse to call them communities) wallow in victim status.

Instead, we should try to view history objectively, try and see events from all points of view and by the mindset of the time, and fight against injustice in the here and now.