Illustrations by Gavin Beattie
“History sometimes misses the opportunity to ridicule the ridiculous because absurdity turns into atrocity.”
Another example in our parade of the stupid. We are, again, looking at what happens when puffed-up self important shallow crappy and entitled people are in positions of power. Involving the rest of humanity in perpetual cycles of cruelty, delusion and scarcity. The weight, seriousness and consequence of the actions of these depraved sadists often cause us to overlook their underlying weakness, disorder and shallowness. History sometimes misses the opportunity to ridicule the ridiculous because absurdity turns into atrocity, stupidity transforms to the most serious outcomes.
Picture this – you are a plantation worker (slave) in the Belgian Congo, toiling away, minding your own business. A passing Force Publique soldier (the military of the Congo Free State and the Belgian Congo from 1885 to 1960) has just realised he must account for the bullet he used to shoot an antelope for game the previous evening. He is under strict instruction to use ammunition sparingly, bullets are only to be used for the execution of disobedient plantation workers. So he requires evidence that he has shot a ‘savage’, and not wasted a bullet. He spots you, with your two perfectly fine hands, and orders you over. He proceeds to hack off your left hand with a machete, after all, you can still work single-handedly. Later on he presents your amputated hand to his superiors as proof of an assumed execution, thus letting him off with wasting the bullet. You may live or die from your injury, but he won’t be disciplined.
The story of King Leopold II and his reign over the Congo is a profoundly grim one, marked by unimaginable cruelty and suffering. Leopold’s actions were not just those of a ruthless colonial ruler; they reflect a deep psychological pathology that has left lasting scars on the Congolese people.
Leopold II framed his colonial ambitions as a humanitarian mission, promising to bring “civilization” and progress to the Congo. Leopold’s preposterous narrative was crucial during the Berlin Conference of 1885, where he gained control over the Congo by presenting it as a philanthropic endeavor aimed at improving the lives of its inhabitants.
Leopold’s used propaganda to shape perception, investing in cultural institutions, such as the Africa Museum. Presented a benevolent version of colonialism that highlighted achievements while obscuring the atrocities.
“The trauma of Leopold’s reign was felt by perpetrator and victim alike.”
Under Leopold’s rule, the Congo was subjected to horrific abuses., between 10 to 15 million Congolese died due to forced labor, torture, and callous murder. The infamous “red rubber” system meant that if quotas for rubber collection were not met, severe punishments were inflicted. This included the brutal practice of amputating hands—an act designed to instill fear and ensure compliance. Imagine being forced to witness such violence – families torn apart, children orphaned, and entire communities living under the constant threat of death or mutilation. How ridiculously counterproductive and horrifying is the concept of dismembering communities to improve productivity?
The trauma of Leopold’s reign was felt by perpetrator and victim alike. To maintain dominance over the people Leopold’s administration concocted a blend of economic exploitation, psychological terror tactics, cultural dehumanization, and systematic violence against vulnerable groups.
The vehicle for Leopold’s psychological terror and brutality was the Force Publique composed of an officer corps and rank and file soldiers. The officer were entirely European – consisting of Belgian regular soldiers and multi nation mercenaries. These officers were responsible for commanding the troops and enforcing colonial policy where the indigenous population were considered godless savages needing control.
The rank-and-file included a significant number of Congolese men. Many were recruited or conscripted from local communities, often from “warrior tribes.” They served under the command of European officers and were tasked with maintaining order and enforcing labor demands, particularly during the rubber extraction. These soldiers, sometimes referred to as askaris, were integral to operations. Often this involved extreme violence against their fellow Congolese. Some were motivated by money, others were coerced into service under harsh conditions. There was a systemic and dehumanised culture of violence within the ranks, soldiers would display severed heads or hands to intimidate communities. Reports indicate that soldiers received bonuses for the number of body parts they collected from victims, further incentivising acts of cruelty
If you want to create a hell on earth, a good short cut is to put a disordered mind at the head of your administration
Leopold’s reign created the trauma necessary for impairment in development of the Frontal Lobe in early childhood. Meaning a higher percentage of the population would be born with “dark triad” traits —sociopathy, narcissism, and paranoia. Traits that perpetuate suffering in the population and on and on we go! The cycle of cruelty permeates communities, leading to normalized violence and a culture where empathy is diminished. Leopold’s legacy lives on. In generational trauma.
So..If you want to create a hell on earth, a good short cut is to put a disordered mind at the head of your administration where their proclivities can be industrialised and sustained through cycles of ongoing cruelty.
Inspired by Ian Hughes – https://www.collectiveinkbooks.com/zer0-books/our-books/disordered-minds
