I agree with you, Dianavan, and would just amend your statement to pluralize it.

There were African ethnic groups involved in the slave trade {as my only other post to this thread mentions}. However, European nations, the Caribbean nations, and South American nations etc that were colonized by European nations, and the United States {including the North} profited from the slave trade and the institution of chattel slavery.

As an African American, I have read this thread with interest.

Frankly, I'm a bit tired of talking about the topic of race..After all, I've often been in situations where I am called upon to talk about this topic-formally and informally..and it gets to be a bit much..And my interests force me to read about slavery and history and that also becomes difficult to bear sometimes, so I have to leave it alone and think of less heavy duty topics.

I found some echo of my feelings on being Black and having to represent and learn about slavery in this link:

Henry Louis Gates, Jr. letters

Here is a link for a book review that discusses Europe and the slave trade

Europe and the Slave trade

And here is one that discusses Afrikan involvement in the slave trade:

Afikan Involvement in The Slave Trade

{the spelling "Afrikan" is one that some Afro-centric Blacks use}

I also notice that one topic of debate on this thread is Reparations. Frankly, I'm not holding my breath for any reparations..But a Formal Apology from all involved in supporting the slave trade would be nice...

For those who want to read up on the topic, as I am doing, here's an interesting article:

The Reparations Debate

And if GUEST,Koonta {as in Kunta Kinte of Roots fame?} is real,
I hope he or she sticks around and joins in further discussion and actually joins this dicussion forum.

That's an invitation if he or she needs one...