Contrasting reactions to the death of Queen Elizabeth II: Between tribute and reminder of colonial history
The news of the death of England’s Queen Elizabeth II has sparked a flurry of reactions on the Internet, reflecting a mixture of emotions and opinions. Among those expressing their sadness and respect for the late Queen was Jeff Bezos, the world’s richest man and founder of Amazon, worth $153 billion. However, some criticized his reaction, highlighting his role as the owner of a controversial company.
Controversial reactions on Twitter after the death of the Queen of England
One particularly striking tweet came from Uju Anya, a respected Nigerian university linguistics professor. In her message, she calls the Queen of England the monarch of a “genocidal, rapist and killer empire”. This tweet provoked outrage from Jeff Bezos, who retorted, apparently defending the queen’s memory and criticizing Uju Anya’s values. He tweeted, “This one is someone who works to make the world a better place? I don’t think so!
However, the woman was quick to respond to the disparaging comment. She said: “May all that you and your ruthless greed have wounded in this world remember you with as much tenderness as I remember my colonizers”. What’s more, she wrote a message in her own language wishing Jeff Bezos to die of an uncontrollably leaky stomach.
Reactions on the Internet didn’t stop there. Julius Malema, a South African leader known for his revolutionary rhetoric and head of the EFF political party, also expressed his position. In his view, England’s royal family has played a damaging role in history, particularly with regard to colonization and slavery. In fact, under the aegis of England, a territory was seized in 1795. Since then, this territory has been marked by a desolation unknown to peace, engendering dehumanization across the globe, with populations subjugated, subjected to slavery, and victims of killings perpetrated by the country. He stresses the importance of not forgetting past deeds, even when important personalities pass away.
The controversy was not limited to public figures. On social networks, many Internet users have expressed contradictory opinions on the morality of certain wealthy people and the importance of money compared to other human values. Some have criticized Jeff Bezos and other billionaires, accusing them of unscrupulously exploiting their workers and prioritizing money over other aspects of life. Others pointed out that the billionaire had no right to moralize on the subject.
The Queen of England ”built her empire on stolen treasures
Speaking of the British royal family, some recall the history of the diamonds that adorn the two royal crowns. The first crown contained a diamond, worth $400 million, allegedly extracted from a mine in South Africa and added to the British crown jewels in the 19th century. The second crown also included a diamond called “the Koh-I-Noor diamond”, meaning mountain of light, valued at 105 Karas.
According to the British Royal Palace, the Koh-I-Noor was unearthed from the Golconde mines in south-central India and handed over to the British monarch in 1849. It became part of Queen Victoria’s crown jewels, along with hundreds of other gems, and is said to have incalculable symbolic cultural-historical value. Some Africans and Indians, in particular, claim ownership of these diamonds, citing colonial history. According to the Indians, this diamond belonged to an Indian prince.
Read: Dutch King and Prime Minister apologize for colonial past and slavery
Reflections on morality, the legacy of the British Empire and historical wounds
This controversy has sparked debate about the morality and responsibility of influential figures, while also reminding us of the historical wounds linked to colonization and slavery. As the world mourns the passing of Queen Elizabeth II and remembers her reign, we must not forget that this history is intertwined with dark and controversial events that have marked humanity.
In short, the death of Queen Elizabeth II has brought to the fore differences of opinion and debates about morality, money, and the historical consequences of the British Empire. Social networks have enabled everyone to express themselves, but this also highlights the complexity of history and human emotions in the face of an event of such magnitude.
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