In all honesty, I have no idea.
Based on the Grimes’ and other interviews, I would say he was not. What is in no doubt is that Dr David Starkey is short-tempered and seems inclined to be fierce with some who get their facts wrong. That he now has been careless with his own words should give him pause for thought.
But was he wrong?
Genocide and the slave trade would appear to be an oxymoron as money was paid for these poor souls. Meaning the buyer would want to get his or her money’s worth. Foul trade with millions dying, but – to me – not actual genocide in its given definition.
That interview had appalling acoustics and I turned it off the first time as it was difficult to hear him (not Grimes, whose sound recording was clear). Even on the second go, I missed the bit about ‘damn Blacks’.
Starkey, to me, sounded like he had enough of the seemingly endless nonsense from those Marxist BLMs trying to wipe out our cultural history.
I was and still am extremely angry about the destruction of this country’s history, warts and all so it is unsurprising really, for someone whose life’s work has been studying the history of this country.
Everyone whatever their race or ‘colour’ has moments of frustration and anger hitting out rashly, even without justification. I believe Starkey had some justification though in no way do I condone his words.
However, the same slapping down must also apply to the many – and I mean many – obnoxious (mostly women) from Black, Asian and Middle East backgrounds who continue to make appallingly racist remarks and are lauded and praised – by the very white people they are slagging off!
They get yet more paying gigs to spout yet more of their racist bile. Where is the fairness in that?
To repeat, every single person has at some time or another made eye-widening comments – including me – and also the people reading this as well. Not one person is immune from thinking or actually saying something that goes beyond the pale. (I bet that’s a racist term now!)
Context is everything – unless someone has a history of being troublesome, argumentative and just plain nasty. And I know of few of those who are usually the first ones to throw stones.