The Black man who exposed a king’s crimes
George Washington Williams — a Black man who went from being a “barely literate” veteran to a world-changing investigative journalist — exposed one of the most egregious genocides in history and nearly toppled a king. In this video, I reached out to activist and researcher, Mohammed Elnaiem, to discuss how he did it and what we can learn from someone who let his faith and love for Black liberation guide his actions.
Who’s a defiant person you think we should feature on the show? Or do you have a story about someone who inspired you to be “about that life”? Leave us a voicemail at 814-326-2866.
Support the show by subscribing on Substack: https://garrisonhayes.substack.com/
Check out for more Mohammed Elnaiem’s work here: https://www.instagram.com/thedecolonialcentre/
Want to learn more?
Read:
George Washington Williams: A Biography https://bookshop.org/a/21557/9780822321644
History of the Negro Race: 1619-1880: https://archive.org/details/historyofnegrora01will
King Leopold’s Ghost: https://bookshop.org/a/21557/9780358212508
A documentary:
King Leopold’s Ghost: https://tv.apple.com/us/movie/king-leopolds-ghost/umc.cmc.k8lpx6untrxbpmodayg7ttrz
More on the crisis in the Congo:
Friends of the Congo: https://friendsofthecongo.org/
Congo Week (Oct 18-24, 2026): https://congoweek.org/why-congo-week.html
I’m on
Instagram: http://instagram.com/garrisonh
TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@garrisonhayes

@grishawinner6727
September 5, 2026 at 6:26 pm
It is said King Leopold of Belgium killed almost half the Congolese population at one time. Almost about 15 million people.
@hildaqueenb9067
September 5, 2026 at 6:26 pm
The messenger might have been flawed, but the message never was or has been.
@dreembarge
September 5, 2026 at 6:26 pm
Thanks, man.
@karenbachar5253
September 5, 2026 at 6:26 pm
Hi Jesse Dollemore sent me! Looking forward to your channel. New Subscriber here.
@Boogiebear-1965
September 5, 2026 at 6:26 pm
New subscriber. Jessie Dollemore sent me here. Good video. 👍
@filmsbyjoyshannon
September 5, 2026 at 6:26 pm
Thank God for George Washington Williams! For standing up against that devil!
@Drujay54205
September 5, 2026 at 6:26 pm
Thanks for this 💜
@guttaace_theprince
September 5, 2026 at 6:26 pm
Keep up the good work brother!
@ericwilliams1023
September 5, 2026 at 6:26 pm
Well done again. Now i need to deep dive into Mr Washington
@AmanShaikh-z5e
September 5, 2026 at 6:26 pm
And congolese people follow christianity 🙃🥲
@TruePilgrim144k
September 5, 2026 at 6:26 pm
You say that africans cared about other people around the world, but you would have to prove that. There is no african equivalent of George Williams.
@fitnfabulous40nbeyond
September 5, 2026 at 6:26 pm
Excellent work!!! I learned so much more about the horrors of the Congo & thw man who told the true story!🎉🙌🏽✊🏽🖤💯
@edwigeguerin894
September 5, 2026 at 6:26 pm
0:09min I think of the transatlantic slave trade of Africans and how it still affects us today. And little grateful white people are towards those who made them rich as f. Or how little they recognise our status as victims on so many levels ( killing our culture, torturing and raping our bodies etc turning us against each other to this day, oh and choosing africans borders to their benefit regardless of family ties, religion, traditions etc.).
@grotesquesd
September 5, 2026 at 6:26 pm
Great seeing Moe from DCC 👏🏽👏🏽
@chrisjames709
September 5, 2026 at 6:26 pm
Appreciate the enlightment, my brother!! Got a lot of education to share with the little one!
@tokenninjasp
September 5, 2026 at 6:26 pm
Interesting watch after going through Jesus Christ in Texas by W.E.B. Du Bois
@kincamell2
September 5, 2026 at 6:26 pm
Gratitude for sharing
Ps Cecil Rhodes and Leopold .
@michellejessica5043
September 5, 2026 at 6:26 pm
This story made me realize how much power there is to everyone or most first believing in one truth. Just thinking out loud here, but it makes me wonder if the battle for equality begins with getting the country to officially acknowledge how slavery and all the laws (AND lack there of) after affected and/or affects it’s descendants today. Is that where we should have started or the direction we should take now? 🤔
@dafunkneverdies
September 5, 2026 at 6:26 pm
Thank you for introducing me to this historic man and is a story. I was unaware.
@SuperDelightfulone
September 5, 2026 at 6:26 pm
Harrison please continue to do what you do, by putting our history out there….you should do a class each 6 weeks in a different school in Metro Nashville
@chrisd.2328
September 5, 2026 at 6:26 pm
I've never heard of George Washington Williams until today what the hell are american schools doing not teaching about this man during the civil war units or in the scramble for Africa unit in world history.
@Teviiinn
September 5, 2026 at 6:26 pm
Humans are so evil… it’s a never ending cycle unfortunately.
@Thelinkchat
September 5, 2026 at 6:26 pm
The Congo is still suffering this day.
@duncannslade
September 5, 2026 at 6:26 pm
Samuel L. Jackson plays George Washington Williams in The Legend of Tarzan .
@kingmaafa120
September 5, 2026 at 6:26 pm
1st off thank you
All I can say is, what a man what a man AND a USA 🇺🇸 VETERAN AS WELL BEYOND DEEP
GOT THIS ONE ON REPEAT 🔁
DOWNLOADED
TOOK a 15 deep dive and read more of his story absolutely amazing
@nickrouse8426
September 5, 2026 at 6:26 pm
George lived the life of like 12 separate people lmao wtf
@candlesandcarnage
September 5, 2026 at 6:26 pm
Here for the Leopold dragging!
@thomascarroll39
September 5, 2026 at 6:26 pm
I knew this history, and im glad that you are sharing it. 👍🏾
@waitagreenminute4447
September 5, 2026 at 6:26 pm
The United States continues King Leopold's legacy of devastation in the Congo; the world is ablaze!
@Krazie-Ivan
September 5, 2026 at 6:26 pm
tax wealth, not work
(comment for the algo)
@kevindunkley6974
September 5, 2026 at 6:26 pm
Remember the republican party father god Remember the gay community black race Jewish race nonwhite Hispanics and police entertainment industry remember this deception that has ruined and destroyed my life father god Remember who ever may harm kill or even intimidate me father god don't just remember they are not afraid consequences but remember they families eternally remember the police and they families and their professions father don't let these pray be in vain father god Remember the electronic harassment remember the police military Cia fbi remember the black race nonwhite Hispanics gay community Jewish race and entertainment industry
@Balladov
September 5, 2026 at 6:26 pm
Send a couple palm colored males to die foolishly on camera. Worked(ish) for Mlk, lol otherwise why would they have shot him?
@indestarbright9646
September 5, 2026 at 6:26 pm
Thank you for the introduction to George Washington Williams.
@nessasue5046
September 5, 2026 at 6:26 pm
I loved this very informed presentation. I knew about the monstrosities of Leopold, adding George Washington Williams was very informative.
@AntonChigurh-h1r
September 5, 2026 at 6:26 pm
He was clearly poisoned
@PeachStateLivingGa
September 5, 2026 at 6:26 pm
Man, when I say I wish you were my history teacher when I was in school, I mean every bit of that. I'm sure I would have paid closer attention, instead, I felt like I was fighting for my life daily just to stay awake in that class which took all of my energy and brain power to do so. I learn so much from you through your social media channels and I'm enjoying learning from you here on YouTube as well "About That Life". I never heard of this amazing man (George Washington Williams). Such fearless determination. I'll be sure to tune in weekly. Thank you for serving us well.
@TheEmpressReigns
September 5, 2026 at 6:26 pm
When I hear African history I tremble like a mother wanting to protect her children. African ancestry is evidence of crimes against humanity. Anyone gaslighting this relationship with Europeans is a predator who perpetuates genocidal behaviors.
@rodb66
September 5, 2026 at 6:26 pm
Thank you Garrison for this educational lesson.
@rodb66
September 5, 2026 at 6:26 pm
It always seems to be the trick of bringing Christianity to the Africans just to colonize the countries on the continent. Those colonizers were beyond cruel.
@DJSMASH797
September 5, 2026 at 6:26 pm
King Leopold’s Ghost is a highly recommended read. It really lays out the atrocities manifested upon the Congolese people. One particular passage that stuck with me while reading this book, was the depiction that the Force Publique had to account for every bullet fired. The author described the officers having to produce hands to account for a bullets use.
Sickening stuff. Thank you for highlighting Williams’ efforts to call out Leopold.