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….why? There’s no one alive in Edinburgh today that took part in slavery or colonialism. The sins of the father are not the sins of the son. It’s like me apologising for my ancestor stealing someone’s mammoth fur carpet from the Stone Age, it’s idiotic, pointless guilt that serves no purpose.

an apology is worthless without addressing and improving the material conditions of the descendants of said slavery.

Brutish Colonialism is still a recent (and arguably ongoing) phenomenon. When my grandmother (who is still very much alive and voting) was born, the UK controlled 40% of the world's surface. When my father was born, the UK still had massive colonial holdings in Africa. Britain arguably still has an abusive relationship with Ireland (given how little respect the Tory government has shown for the legitimate concerns of the Irish Republic during the Brexit process).

So the people who were actively involved in the British Empire are still very much alive and active in British society and the wounds of British Imperialism are still fresh around the world. So these apologies are necessary and help start a dialogue towards healing and reconciliation for many.

Agreed, but it is an important first step towards more direct actions that can change those material conditions.

cool, now confiscate all royal holdings, sell them, and use the proceeds to improve the lives of the marginalized.

> the UK controlled 40% of the world's surface

That's absurd. The British empire controlled some 23% of the world at its highest.

Britain arguably has an abusive relationship with Scotland too, pulling it out of Europe without consent and refusing it an independence referendum.

Don't see Westminster making apologies of this sort until/unless the conservatives are out of power. Most of them don't even see the harm in imperialism...

23% of population right? Land area about the same. Given the extraordinary naval power I'm generously guessing "world surface" here refers to oceans controlled too, which might get you to 40%. Seems unnecessary to quibble when we can all agree on "unreasonably powerful and exploitative".

TRULYTRUE TRUE, I agree with you completely absolutely and I agree with your perspective.

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