While many are easily tired of this whole conversation and want to make it go away, it is crucial that we as a nation understand how we got to where we are. And the truth is that many, maybe most of our early leaders were not good people. The wealth of this nation was based on industrialized chattel slavery – slavery they knew was different from past forms of indentured servitude (or even the slavery of prisoners captured in war). It was a new and more horrific form entered into knowingly and specifically for profit. I am familiar with this because I have been studying slavery for some time now, working especially with churches to A) come to grips with their slave past, B) understand how that past affects current societal tensions, and C) work toward reforming/dismantling some of the systems left over from that era (and there are surprisingly many).
BE THIS GUY over 6 years ago
But, he was really nice to them.
cdward over 6 years ago
While many are easily tired of this whole conversation and want to make it go away, it is crucial that we as a nation understand how we got to where we are. And the truth is that many, maybe most of our early leaders were not good people. The wealth of this nation was based on industrialized chattel slavery – slavery they knew was different from past forms of indentured servitude (or even the slavery of prisoners captured in war). It was a new and more horrific form entered into knowingly and specifically for profit. I am familiar with this because I have been studying slavery for some time now, working especially with churches to A) come to grips with their slave past, B) understand how that past affects current societal tensions, and C) work toward reforming/dismantling some of the systems left over from that era (and there are surprisingly many).
pumaman over 6 years ago
But did he fight to preserve the institution of slavery?
Rotary12 Premium Member over 6 years ago
“Let he who is without sin cast the first stone.” Time to move on.
Qiset over 6 years ago
Wouldn’t our time and effort be better spent working to get rid of the current slavery in the world?
Perkycat over 6 years ago
Our past IS our past. You can sweep it under the rug, but it is still a lump under the rug.
scross Premium Member over 6 years ago
I wish our country was having this big of a discussion about the Native Americans and how they were treated.
Sneaker over 6 years ago
So what the H? A statue is part of our History. Tearing them down still doesn’t change things. Just an excuse to keep things stirred up!