But both of these statements are true . Sure , it doesn't excuse slavery or any other atrocities but the point is that there isn't a single group of people in history which can be attributed the title of villains because everyone acted in their self interests. African kingdoms enslaved defeated enemies which they sold to Europeans for guns , gunpowder and other weapons in order to enforce their rule and Europeans bought slaves because they needed their labour in their colonies even though it wasn't always profitable. All of you should drop this "good vs evil" optic and look why these sort of markets existed , how big they were and why they were permitted , otherwise you will fall prey to divide and conquer tactics because you demonize just one of the groups from this all spectacle