Luanda: The President of the United States of America, Joe Biden, highlighted in the late afternoon of Tuesday (Dec 3), in Luanda, the strong historical and cultural ties between his country and Angola. Speaking after his visit to the Slavery Museum, the American statesman referred to the solemnity of the place to highlight how much the two countries have advanced in their friendship.
According to Angola Press News Agency, President Biden recalled the history of young women and men from Angola, captured and forced into slavery in the year 1619. He mentioned Anthony and Isabella, two individuals who were baptized against their will at the site of the current Museum of Slavery and later shipped to Virginia, becoming among the first enslaved Americans. Their son, William Tucker, is noted as the first child of African descent born in America, marking the beginning of a long history of slavery in the United States.
President Biden reflected on the enduring impact of slavery, describing it as “the original sin of
our nation” that continues to cast a long shadow. He spoke of significant events in American history, such as the Civil War, the Jim Crow era, and the Civil Rights and Voting Rights Movement, emphasizing the essential role of African Americans, including those of Angolan descent, in shaping the nation.
The American leader stressed the importance of acknowledging and confronting the past, asserting that history, though it can be hidden, must not be erased. He drew attention to the visit of Angolan President João Lourenço to the National Museum of African American Culture in Washington, DC, highlighting the contradiction between America’s founding principles and its historical treatment of Africans.
President Biden reiterated the founding idea of the United States, embedded in the Declaration of Independence, that all individuals are created equal. He acknowledged that while the nation has not always lived up to this ideal, it remains a guiding principle. He praised the contributions and resilience of African
Americans, including Angolan Americans, who have helped build the U.S. and maintained hope for a different future.
In closing, President Biden expressed hope for a new chapter in the relationship between the United States and Angola, built on mutual respect and understanding, recognizing the shared history and the contributions of the African diaspora.
