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In order to have meaningful dialogue on slavery, it is a necessity to have a factual and holistic view on the impact of slavery. We cannot hold these conversations based on the flawed and unrepresentative miseducation presented to the average American. While not all encompassing, here are important facts to remember.
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Slavery was a conscious decision to subjugate Black people for the sake of economic and social gain.
Slavery was a conscious decision to subjugate Black people for the sake of economic and social gain.
Slavery was in fact a conscious decision to take a group of people who were considered an "Other" and subject them to inhumane treatment and a lack of rights. The reasoning, while surely not the same for every slave owner, stemmed largely from gain, whether that be economic or social, and not necessity.
Slavery was in fact a conscious decision to take a group of people who were considered an "Other" and subject them to inhumane treatment and a lack of rights. The reasoning, while surely not the same for every slave owner, stemmed largely from gain, whether that be economic or social, and not necessity.
The legality of slavery is even more interesting. Slavery was seen as immoral; however, it was seen as an immorality that was acceptable so long as it benefitted the economic growth of the US and the ability to have a social class system in which no White identifying individual could be considered to have the lowest level value. It is for this reason the Three-Fifth's Compromise was approved, why even some of the most outspoken abolitionists had slaves, and why the true end of slavery was so difficult to finally arrive at.
The legality of slavery is even more interesting. Slavery was seen as immoral; however, it was seen as an immorality that was acceptable so long as it benefitted the economic growth of the US and the ability to have a social class system in which no White identifying individual could be considered to have the lowest level value. It is for this reason the Three-Fifth's Compromise was approved, why even some of the most outspoken abolitionists had slaves, and why the true end of slavery was so difficult to finally arrive at.
This said, slavery and racism both had and continue to hold a place in society as tools of oppression. Regardless to the progress that we have made as a society these tools continue to be used to keep the majority in positions of power.
This said, slavery and racism both had and continue to hold a place in society as tools of oppression. Regardless to the progress that we have made as a society these tools continue to be used to keep the majority in positions of power.
There is no doubt to be had: slavery is racist and disgusting. This said, when we speak of slavery ending, often people conflate this with the ending of the effects of slavery. Slavery did not only involve the brutal and disgusting act of forcing people to work against their will at the whim of self-created "masters". Instead it was based in physical, mental, and emotional abuse, followed with implementation of laws and barriers that left the enslaved hopeless and beyond oppressed.
There is no doubt to be had: slavery is racist and disgusting. This said, when we speak of slavery ending, often people conflate this with the ending of the effects of slavery. Slavery did not only involve the brutal and disgusting act of forcing people to work against their will at the whim of self-created "masters". Instead it was based in physical, mental, and emotional abuse, followed with implementation of laws and barriers that left the enslaved hopeless and beyond oppressed.
With the end of slavery, these laws did not disappear. The abuse did not simply disappear. Those affected did not learn how to live under these circumstances; they learned how to survive. They taught this survival to their children who, while not subjected to slavery itself, had to deal with the aftereffects of it.
With the end of slavery, these laws did not disappear. The abuse did not simply disappear. Those affected did not learn how to live under these circumstances; they learned how to survive. They taught this survival to their children who, while not subjected to slavery itself, had to deal with the aftereffects of it.
Black people today still have been forced to use some of these skills for survival in a world that has worked to oppress and keep Black Americans in a second-class position. However, it is important to recognize that surviving in the way it is being utilized here, is a unique concern of those who identify as Black.
Black people today still have been forced to use some of these skills for survival in a world that has worked to oppress and keep Black Americans in a second-class position. However, it is important to recognize that surviving in the way it is being utilized here, is a unique concern of those who identify as Black.
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Slavery itself was implicitly racist; the actions taken to dehumanize slaves emphasized the racism and left even more brutal and long lasting effects
Slavery itself was implicitly racist; the actions taken to dehumanize slaves emphasized the racism and left even more brutal and long lasting effects
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The Thirteenth, Fourteenth, and Fifteenth Amendments opened the door for further disfranchisement of Black identifying Americans.
The Thirteenth, Fourteenth, and Fifteenth Amendments opened the door for further disfranchisement of Black identifying Americans.
The end of slavery and the implementation of the Thirteenth, Fourteenth, and Fifteenth Amendments saw the end of legalized slavery and in theory allowed for the same rights as outlined in the Constitution for White citizens of America. Sadly, this is not the case.
The end of slavery and the implementation of the Thirteenth, Fourteenth, and Fifteenth Amendments saw the end of legalized slavery and in theory allowed for the same rights as outlined in the Constitution for White citizens of America. Sadly, this is not the case.
Allow the introduction of the Grandfather Clause, Black Codes (also known as Jim Crow Laws), sharecropping, and more modifications to the restrictions that Blacks had to endure as slaves, repurposed for the newly "freed" Black Americans. These new policies inhibited the progress of society and worked to ensure Black Americans would not have a true voice or freedom in America.
Allow the introduction of the Grandfather Clause, Black Codes (also known as Jim Crow Laws), sharecropping, and more modifications to the restrictions that Blacks had to endure as slaves, repurposed for the newly "freed" Black Americans. These new policies inhibited the progress of society and worked to ensure Black Americans would not have a true voice or freedom in America.
Segregation, voter suppression, gerrymandering, the inequities of housing, the criminal justice system, the list goes on incessantly. The unfortunate truth is that by establishing Black people in America as citizens, they were thus a threat to the dominant American culture and as a result suppressed further.
Segregation, voter suppression, gerrymandering, the inequities of housing, the criminal justice system, the list goes on incessantly. The unfortunate truth is that by establishing Black people in America as citizens, they were thus a threat to the dominant American culture and as a result suppressed further.
Slavery and racism are perceived to be taboo subjects in academia. Even on campuses that propose to want to cultivate aware and socially conscious students, the way the subjects are approached are often reductive of the situation or find value in diminishing the effects of colonialism and its subsidiaries (i.e. slavery, the slave trade, racism, etc.).
Slavery and racism are perceived to be taboo subjects in academia. Even on campuses that propose to want to cultivate aware and socially conscious students, the way the subjects are approached are often reductive of the situation or find value in diminishing the effects of colonialism and its subsidiaries (i.e. slavery, the slave trade, racism, etc.).
Excusing the atrocities committed or reducing them to "a couple of negative actions that resulted in huge benefits" as some professors would teach, does not lend itself to meaningful and valuable education. To the contrary, this only reinforces negative and dishonest representations of the facts. Slavery was in no way positive and recognizing this is imperative in having conversations that are truthful and can succinctly guide our society to consider the truly important question of how we address this while working to reduce inequities as a society. This conversation is not limited to social sciences; it is multifaceted and affects all disciplines to different levels. This is a problem for all academics to consider and work towards finding solutions for.
Excusing the atrocities committed or reducing them to "a couple of negative actions that resulted in huge benefits" as some professors would teach, does not lend itself to meaningful and valuable education. To the contrary, this only reinforces negative and dishonest representations of the facts. Slavery was in no way positive and recognizing this is imperative in having conversations that are truthful and can succinctly guide our society to consider the truly important question of how we address this while working to reduce inequities as a society. This conversation is not limited to social sciences; it is multifaceted and affects all disciplines to different levels. This is a problem for all academics to consider and work towards finding solutions for.
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The ways in which slavery and racism are approached in academia are not sufficient.
The ways in which slavery and racism are approached in academia are not sufficient.
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As a society, we have not truly come to terms with our nation's history of oppression and discrimination.
As a society, we have not truly come to terms with our nation's history of oppression and discrimination.
The reason we have not come to an understanding of how to approach the concept of slavery and racism is simply because we have not come to terms with the United States' history as a racially oppressive and discriminatory country. Patriotism makes this statement taboo and controversial whenever anyone attempts to publicly grapple with it. However, blind patriotism that ignores facts is no longer simply patriotism; At that point, it becomes nationalism, which has been the fall of countless regimes. Understanding and addressing our shortcomings as a nation is imperative if we wish to not perpetuate the same inequities and discrimination.
The reason we have not come to an understanding of how to approach the concept of slavery and racism is simply because we have not come to terms with the United States' history as a racially oppressive and discriminatory country. Patriotism makes this statement taboo and controversial whenever anyone attempts to publicly grapple with it. However, blind patriotism that ignores facts is no longer simply patriotism; At that point, it becomes nationalism, which has been the fall of countless regimes. Understanding and addressing our shortcomings as a nation is imperative if we wish to not perpetuate the same inequities and discrimination.
The question we should ask ourselves is why does US society not address the flaws of the nation. Is it because of indoctrination? If that is the case, what actionable solutions have people constructed to work against this? Perhaps indoctrination is the easier claim to make. One perspective is that the reason this society behaves in the way it does is because Americans fear the effects of finding a solution. Are Americans prepared for a post-racial existence? Are those in power ready and willing to renounce the advantages and privilege that has been granted to them through the oppression of Black Americans? Only time can truly tell.
The question we should ask ourselves is why does US society not address the flaws of the nation. Is it because of indoctrination? If that is the case, what actionable solutions have people constructed to work against this? Perhaps indoctrination is the easier claim to make. One perspective is that the reason this society behaves in the way it does is because Americans fear the effects of finding a solution. Are Americans prepared for a post-racial existence? Are those in power ready and willing to renounce the advantages and privilege that has been granted to them through the oppression of Black Americans? Only time can truly tell.
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