White people, here is a good way to tell if there was historical travel between Europe and a place that was not Europe.

1. Were there trade goods from non-European place being used in Europe?

That’s it, that’s the entire test. Sugar didn’t just apparate by magic on the prime minister’s lawn.

Tea didn’t just get unloaded on the docks by mysterious elves in cloaks.

Ships went back and forth! Regularly! On schedule! There were people on these ships!

It’s just mind-boggling to say “I’m not aware of travel between Europe and Latin America in the nineteenth century” because... you are definitely aware of the trade goods, yes?

If you think that’s a historical fantasy, will you speak out against the use of chocolate in historicals? How would cacao get to Europe without travel?

If you’re aware of the chocolate, you’re aware of the travel.

One of the ways that racism systemically operates is to substitute the products that come from a place with the people.

If you want to undo that racism, you have to start thinking of the people. Now is a good time.