United States Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken marked the United Nations’ International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade with a solemn acknowledgment of the enduring impact of one of history’s most harrowing periods.
In his press statement, Secretary Blinken stated the commitment of the United States to combat anti-Black racism, discrimination, and xenophobia globally.
Reflecting on the transatlantic trade in enslaved Africans, Blinken highlighted the systemic challenges faced by people of African descent, attributing contemporary racial inequalities and injustices to historical atrocities.
The legacy of exploitative colonial rule and the dehumanization of Africans and their descendants, he noted, continues to manifest in pervasive economic and social disparities worldwide.
Blinken stated the ongoing struggle against systemic barriers to equal access to education, healthcare, employment, and political participation, stressing the invaluable contributions of people of African descent to the United States and countries across the Western hemisphere.
The Secretary of State reaffirmed the United States’ commitment to safeguarding the human rights of all individuals, promising continued efforts to promote equality and combat racial injustice on both domestic and international fronts.
