Some reflections are avoided because they reveal too much.

By Patrick Hardeman – In and Out of Darkness

On March 25th and 26th of 2026, the United Nations General Assembly voted on a resolution led by Ghana. The resolution officially declared the Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade and chattle slavery among the gravest crimes against humanity.

Sounds simple enough, right? Humanity should’ve moonwalked into agreement like it was the easiest group project in history.

Instead, the vote exposed exactly who still gets nervous around mirrors.

123 countries voted yes.

A handful included Ghana, Kenya, Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam, Brazil, Barbados, Mexico, and the Philippines.

Three countries voted no.

The United States. Israel. Argentina.

And then came the Olympic gold medalists of cowardice: the abstainers.

52 countries looked at slavery, looked at crimes against humanity, loosened their collars dramatically, and said, “You know what? We’re gonna sit this one out.”

That list included Canada, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Australia, Portugal, Sweden, Japan, Italy, and several others who enjoy presenting themselves as the polished luxury brands of morality.

Apparently, when it comes to acknowledging Black suffering, a lot of governments suddenly developed the posture of a teenager pretending not to hear their name being called downstairs.

Now before fragile patriotism starts foaming at the mouth, let’s simplify this conversation.

Imagine a country made sexual assault legal for generations. Protected it by law. Built industries from it. Passed down wealth from it. Punished victims for resisting it. Then centuries, decades, years, months, or days later there’s no meaningful repair, accountability, or acknowledgment of the lasting damage.

Most reasonable human beings would call that evil.

Well, congratulations America – that’s exactly what slavery was and is.

Not metaphorically. Not emotionally. Legally.

The rape, torture, forced labor, family separation, murder, breeding, medical experimentation, and economic theft of native Black Americans was protected by law. Entire systems were designed around Black suffering being profitable.

And somehow the descendants of the victims are still expected to explain why this matters.

That’s the part that deserves a standing ovation from the clown section of history.

America constantly markets itself as the leader of the free world while treating accountability like it’s an allergic reaction. This country struggles to apologize for anything unless another country forces the conversation with military pressure, leaked documents, or undeniable video evidence.

At this point, I’m genuinely surprised Congress hasn’t attempted to ban mirrors for being “divisive.”

Because every honest reflection creates the same problem: you cannot claim moral superiority while avoiding moral responsibility.

And before anyone says, “But slavery happened everywhere,” let me help you before your brain pulls a hamstring.

Yes, human cruelty has existed throughout history. That is not a defense. That is an indictment of humanity.

If your argument sounds like: “Other people committed crimes too,” you have accidentally entered the courtroom sounding like a suspect instead of a patriot.

Now let’s address the abstainers.

Abstaining on this issue is like watching someone get robbed in broad daylight, then announcing. “Well… both sides make valid points.”

No. They do not.

Human trafficking, generational torture, racial terrorism, and legalized dehumanization are not difficult moral equations.

You either recognize the horror honestly or you benefit from avoiding the conversation.

And many nations did benefit. Tremendously.

That wealth didn’t magically appear from hard work, positive attitudes, and cinnamon tea.

A great deal of Western prosperity was financed through Black bodies, stolen labor, colonization, and racial exploitation. Some countries simply learned how to rebrand themselves better afterward.

Beautiful architecture does not erase ugly history.

And scenic travel photos cannot photoshop a conscience.

This is why people should pay attention not only to landscapes, but also to national character.

Some places have beautiful beaches and bankrupt morality.

Some governments speak endlessly about democracy while still treating Black humanity like an uncomfortable historical receipt they hope gets lost under the couch cushions of time.

But Ghana’s leadership mattered.

And so did the countries willing to vote yes publicly.

Because acknowledgement matters.

Truth matters.

History matters.

And contrary to what some people believe, refusing to discuss injustice has never healed injustice. It only protects the comfort of those benefiting from silence.

The world was asked a very simple question: Was slavery one of humanity’s gravest crimes?

Most nations answered yes.

Some answered no.

And far too many revealed that cowardice wears a suit much more often than a hood.

If a country cannot honestly confront crimes against humanity from its past, how safe is anyone’s humanity in its future?

It’s appreciated if you add a like, subscribe, and share this post with others. Then join the conversation, don’t be afraid. There’s plenty more where this came from, so keep scrolling and check out some previous conversations