I agree with J-Huskey. Wasn't alive then and had nothing to do with slavery or segregation/discrimination since. I enjoy history and can accept that the world is a complex place with lots of good and bad. I can read history with an objective point of view and have no problem accepting painful "truth" when the evidence dictates. The civil war being one of them. Also, this is the biggie, I choose what I allow to offend me. Something that happened over 150 years ago is generally not one of them. It is difficult for me to understand how anyone could accept slavery then or now. But that was a different time. For those with fair sensibilities, here is something that will probably fry your circuits, slavery is still practiced today.
My great grandfather and his six brothers all fought in the civil war--all for the Confederacy. They were all poor farmers. None owned a single slave. I was raised in the South in my grandfather's home (the son of that great grandfather) where blacks were respected, the N-word was never used or allowed, the family voted Republican, and we went to church. Don't visit my reloading room, you will be offended--I have the Stars and Bars on my wall. I'm not offended by that flag or the side my ancestors fought on. I don't look at the world through the prism of prejudice or discrimination.
The North had no problem acquiring wealth through the raw products produced by slaves or the services provided by slaves. The shipping companies that shipped the slaves from Africa to America were owed by Northerners, those same ships carried finished products to Europe/Africa before picking up another load of slaves. Lastly, after slavery was abolished in the North, what happened to all of those slaves? Released to freedom? No--they were sold to new owners in South America. Ever wondered how there are black Hispanics when the indigenous groups had brown/red complexions? Well, now you know. Also, the North was far from hospitable to escaped slaves.
No one, no matter the side, has clean hands when it comes slavery and what is happening today with regard to race relations. One thing I am certain, slavery is not the cause. Politics-- policy that has destroyed the Black family and encouraged irresponsible behavior, along with the glorification of those who succeed through crime have done what slavery never could. Getting fathers back into Black homes, teaching respect for one's self, setting standards/expectations, and encouraging education/job training would go a long way to improving the plight of Black youth. All of us would benefit by putting God back in the pubic square.
If you are going to post on this forum at least doing a little historical reading before you post. That is unless you are just trying to stir up stuff or trying to make yourself feel morally superior. Not a good look for you.
