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The Black man who exposed a king’s crimes

Garrison Hayes | September 5, 2026



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

Written by Garrison Hayes

Comments

This post currently has 40 comments.

  1. @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.).

  2. @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? 🤔

  3. @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.

  4. @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

  5. @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

  6. @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.

  7. @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.

  8. @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.

  9. @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.

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