Canadians think of the Hudson's Bay Company as something to be proud of. A lot of them drape themselves in the iconic stripes.
My family is from the Caribbean though. So while I was educated in Canada, I'm reminded of a totally different kind of branding.
🧵👇
My family is from the Caribbean though. So while I was educated in Canada, I'm reminded of a totally different kind of branding.
🧵👇
See Canadians are taught the founder of HBC, Prince Rupert, funded the expedition of Canada to develop the fur trade.
In fact, they're taught in a cutesy way that most of the country was originally just called Rupert's land. Remember that? Adorable and harmless, right?
2/7
In fact, they're taught in a cutesy way that most of the country was originally just called Rupert's land. Remember that? Adorable and harmless, right?
2/7
What they don't teach is Rupert is one of history's worst monsters. His wealth didn't come from HBC.
HBC was funded in part by the profits from another company he founded – the Royal African Company (RAC). Canadian history tends to leave out any mention of this venture. 🤔
3/7
HBC was funded in part by the profits from another company he founded – the Royal African Company (RAC). Canadian history tends to leave out any mention of this venture. 🤔
3/7
Weird, because the RAC is actually one of the most successful companies IN HISTORY. 🧐
They might not have mentioned it because the RAC was the largest slave trader in the Americas. They shipped more slaves to the Americas than any other *institution.* Not just company.
4/7
They might not have mentioned it because the RAC was the largest slave trader in the Americas. They shipped more slaves to the Americas than any other *institution.* Not just company.
4/7
That's where Rupert started to dabble in branding, actually.
The company branded all of their slaves RAC, partially to permanent mark that they were slaves, but to also show market prominence.
Just like logos today, they wanted everyone to know how popular they were.
5/7
The company branded all of their slaves RAC, partially to permanent mark that they were slaves, but to also show market prominence.
Just like logos today, they wanted everyone to know how popular they were.
5/7
Despite HBC actually naming the territories in Canada after Rupert, history distances Rupert – trying to say he only funded the expedition.
Same with RAC. He was "only" an investor, but like HBC, he was actively involved – even serving as governor (CEO at the time).
6/7
Same with RAC. He was "only" an investor, but like HBC, he was actively involved – even serving as governor (CEO at the time).
6/7
So you gotta forgive black and brown people if they don't like that cute photo you posted on instagram of your new HBC blanket draped over your couch.
A good portion of us see the flag of a company founded by one of history's most murderous slave traders.
~ Fin ~
7/7
A good portion of us see the flag of a company founded by one of history's most murderous slave traders.
~ Fin ~
7/7
Strange number of people in my DMs saying Canada has nothing to do with slavery.
You know "fur trade" is just a narrative that was spun through history? Academics have long known HBC didn't arrive looking for fur, they were looking to pillage, plunder, and enslave.
You know "fur trade" is just a narrative that was spun through history? Academics have long known HBC didn't arrive looking for fur, they were looking to pillage, plunder, and enslave.
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