Slavery question?

Question

I've noticed (on tv) that whenever Al Sharpton or Jesse Jackson are on one of their tirades, they usually mention something about how blacks have suffered b/c of slavery, about their ancestors having been slaves, and so on. Why do some blacks (not all, just some) seem to think that b/c of their ancestors having been subjected to slavery that it entitles them (the new generation) to feel sorry for themselves? Isn't it about time to say that slavery is over, and that it's time to move on? I have many white and many black friends, so this is really just a curiosity question, not a question resulting from anger (except at my frustration at Sharpton and Jackson at times). Any ideas?

Answer 1

I believe some blacks in the U.S. talk about slavery, lest we forget what happened in the past. Blacks were seen as an inferior race and some still experience discrimination based on the color of their skin.



Some blacks still demand reparation for what happened to their forefathers; some Chinese/Japanese individuals in this country received reparation for being imprisoned in U.S. camps. Blacks attest that their forefathers were also held against their will as slaves.



I don't believe blacks want us to feel sorry for them, but rather, for us to understand their anger and frustration at the discrimination some of them experience based solely on their race.



Although I agree with you about Sharpton and Jackson, it is those who "shake the boat" that change the "status quo". Martin Luther King along with others wanted equality, but their rhetoric commanded and produced change.



It is difficult for individuals from other races to really comprehend discrimination against an individual based on race rather than capability, ability or accomplishments; it fosters frustation, anger, and at times hopelessness.



Women were not "allowed" to vote prior to the 1920s' because they were perceived as "not intelligent enough" to make such an important decision. It took daring women and some men to fight for what they perceived was their right.

Those who fought against women voting were proven wrong.



Blanket discrimination against gender or race is wrong, and those discriminated against tend to be on guard, ready to fight.



Those who assert their value as productive

members of society inspite of hardships have my vote, but those who use race or gender as an excuse, and in reality are hiding their inadequacies or unwillingness to grow, those individuals lose my respect.



When you inherit a cooking recipe from your great great grandma, handed over to great grandma, later to your grandma, then your mother who gave it to you, that recipe will live on because you will continue to pass it on; the legacy of slavery will never be forgotten. So when you say "that it's time to move on", the oral history that is passed on generation after generation, coupled with continual discrimination makes "moving on" a frail proposition.



What is important for all of us as Americans is to continue to strive for unity, and understanding. It is a sad commentary and observation that we have to enact laws against discrimination, yet in spite of such laws discrimination continues. To me, it should be the right of every individual to be treated with respect and dignity, out of human inherent knowledge, not because is mandated by law.

Answer 2

Probably because there is still a lot of prejudice and racism to this day. Everyone faces some prejudice and racism, but it is more blatant against the black culture.



It seems that the Civil War has been forgotten. The war where the northern half of America (mostly white people) fought to win the freedom of slaves in America. But the thing is, black people are not the only culture with a history of slavery. Jews were used as slaves as well, and on top of that they faced the Holocaust (fairly recently, at that). Slavery still exists to this day. Massage parlors are one example. Girls are used as sex slaves in order to pay off their families' debts. It never gets paid off though, because they also have to pay for their room/boarding, food, ticket to America, etc. (whatever their "owners" can think of to keep them).

Answer 3

Yes, there was White slavery. The British used the Irish as slaves up until the 1920s in the coal mines in Britain (often children). Today there are modern day White slaves from Eastern Europe who are trafficked into brothels in the US and Canada and Western Europe (including children). In the past, many indentured servants (brought to places like Georgia chained to boats) were Irish. 95% of them died in slavery. You'll need to do your own research. Use your textbook, legitimate websites, a library book, and ask your librarian for any old documents they may have. You can also email an international relations professor (for ex: google in "Purdue University" then click "international relations" and find the professor's email) about modern day slavery. You can compare and contrast what you find, and make sure to cite your sources and do a bibliography at the end. Also, see if you can find any DVDs from PBS or the History Channel. Finally, "orphan" British children after WWI and WWII were sent to Australia as "domestic servants"

Answer 4

You have to understand that Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson don't speak for ALL people of color. As well, not all blacks live their lives based on historical happenings. You have to be careful in your generalizations. TV doesn't represent any one group of people very well at all. Especially in race relations.



We humans tend to take the worst examples of people (in a group that's different from us) and use that example to generalize negative attributes. It's not an enlightening road to travel on regardless of your friends skin colors. Those friends don't automatically make you color biased. There are plenty of blacks who don't wish to be "represented" by anyone.



People should focus more on the industrial slaves in other countries and the genocides occurring in the world right now. These are things we can stop.

Answer 5

yes some people do use it as an excuse for whatever thier issues are but at the same token as a black person you deal with the past everyday when so many people in the world judge you by the color of your skin rather than whats inside or your intergrity or work ethic! i am the only African American in my office and i have plenty of friends of different nationalities so i know the difference when race genuinely does not affect a person!



some people dont know how to handle this. i come to work and be me and appreciate who ever appreciates me as a person because there are so many judgemental people in this office and in the world and i live as a christian person and try to be a good person overall . and i feel sorry for the people who lack diversity and miss out on good people, friends, coworkers, and members of society because of their racism!



reguardless of what anyone thinks unless you are African American (black) you wouldnt know that racism is alive and kicking after all these years in 2008!

Answer 6

You NEEDN'T apologize for asking your legitimate question! You've stated CLEARLY that you do not ask this in anger but, rather, personal curiosity! NO APOLOGIES NEEDED!



Those that support the "slavery" reminder only serve to perpetuate the "guilt" tactic on white Americans, MOST of which are NOT descendants from the Civil War! But these particular "African Americans" GENERALIZE ALL white Americans to ACCEPT blame and some even believe in RESTITUTION!



"Slavery" was and has been an ACCEPTED practice all over the world and throughout world history. That doesn't make it right...or wrong! It is CERTAINLY wrong TODAY! But for centuries upon centuries, it WAS LEGAL!



In fact, hypothetically speaking, what IF there NEVER WERE slaves forced or brought to America? It's entirely possible that there would NOT be any Black Americans today!

Would today's Black Americans be better off if they were raised in Africa today? (Just food for thought!)



BOTTOM LINE: Those Black Americans that constantly refer and blame "slavery" for their current issues & problems need to accept accountability for & by themselves!



White America owes NOTHING but EQUALITY to Black Americans! In America, all citizens are considered EQUAL! Nothing more, nothing less!



It's TIME to STOP being "overly" concerned with our cultural DIVERSITY and START focusing on our national UNITY as Americans!

We are Not Asian-American, or Irish-American, or even African-American.....JUST ONE NATION, UNDER GOD....AMERICAN!

Answer 7

Correction:



We are in the post-slavery era.

Slavery was not something that can just go away overnight.

Slavery caused hate, anger, miseducation, ignorance, rage and colorism within the Black community.



Horrible atrocities were committed during those times and the people passed their pain down to their children, from generation to generation.



Thus, the pain was still and IS still being passed down.



As a matter of fact just 35 years ago, racism was still a huge epidemic in the United States.



Racism is also a form of slavery.



You would not know how people are still affected today by slavery and racism unless you had darker skin.



For example:

One of my grandmothers used to tell me the horrible things that had happened to her grandfather just because he had dark skin.



My grandfather used to tell stories horrible stories of how the Native Americans were treated.



It was horrible.



This pain is passed down and the shame of slavery is still a burden on the Black community as well as others.



Yes, some people use slavery as a crutch.

But its only because they still feel the pain and shame.



You would have to be in their shoes to understand the situation.



However, I do agree that this was taught to children.

Answer 8

I think black children should be well aware of the history of their people but it should also be taught by their parents that this should not cause racial tension in todays world. They could compare the child's life to the slavery days and let them see how much better they have it and all the opportunities that await them.

Answer 9

first of all. they are political figures...they shock and awe audiences for you to listen to them...



second, it's the news on TV...if it is not very shocking/interesting...they wouldn't call it "the NEWS"..rather they would call it "the MUNDANE"



so, with this understood, the news only take little snippets of speeches they think that would create EMOTION for you to watch it...or else their ratings would go down...





yes, slavery is over...yes racism still exists because of the previous generation that uninfluenced the next generation's society and culture...people don't say it/show it that much, but it is under the radar



just because of the fact that racism still exists, these political figures exploit the media with the issues of past slavery history to counterbalance the blissfulness of life into the harshness of reality





and that reality is: affirmative action, although effective still does not efface racism and stereotypes off of some people's minds





with that said, I do agree racism and stereotypes exponentially declines with each generation and people do do on with their lives trying to treat people equally.

Answer 10

I agree with you somewhat. Blacks, nor any other race have the right to blame the current generation, for injustices of their ancestors. However I have to disagree with the comment above that said we have not suffered due to slavery. I beg to differ. We might not have actually endured it, but we have gotten the fallout behind it.

Answer 11

Please dont let a couple older guys that actually lived through some very harsh segregated times be the reason you think majority of black people think this way.



A lot of black people are upset becuase of the things that happen today! You probably do not understand this.why? Because your not black! Racial injustice still happens.



And just so you know. I HAVE NEVER HEARD ANY BLACK PERSON AROUND ME SAY ANYTHING ABOUT SLAVERY HOLDING THEM BACK. I ALWAYS HEAR WHITE PEOPLE BRING IT UP. HOW about you get over it.

Answer 12

Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson are NOT representative of the black community (thank God).

Answer 13

Black people, we, us, DO NOT feel sorry for ourselves.



We talk about slavery because its apart of our history, and it is linked to certain discreprancies of today. Sharpton may bring it up sometimes because he is a race activist for Blacks.



You act as if we are supposed to never tal kabour our history. And just because we choose to talk about it, doesn't mean its a complaint or an excuse per se.



There are times however, that sharpton needs to stuff it, Many black people would agree.



Jewish people do not have a stricten history with America and are not a huge majority, thus their voice is not as candid when it comes to their history ALL THE WAY from Germany, not America. They also did not suffer in America as we did.



*Edit*



and I apologize to you bayou, for thinking that you offended me. Talking to our kids about slavery does not cause hostility between the races. They should know about their history and not be ignorant to their origins of course, and you should know about your white history in america also, in which we have to learn everyday while you complain over ours.

Answer 14

Forgetting my ancestors is not even in the question so quiet it. America would have been nothing without slavery, yet you still have the nerve saying stupid stuff like that.



American slavery has entitled me to feel not only sorry for my ancestors and me but also highly belligerent towards Euro-Americans, and realizing that 'moving on' and being away from you devils is the best thing I can do.



Why are you not telling the Jews to forget about the Holocaust? Because they're White! Obviously. And over 540 millions Black people dead because of slavery. Check the facts.

Answer 15

I do agree, yes slavery was horrible and everything but it was a long time ago, and people in this generation have not suffered from it.

Answer 16

A Holocaust comparison is unfair. Jews have always faced hatred for being Jews. Blacks do not face being enslaved anymore.



Since slavery has been abandoned by even the most militantly pro-slavery country (officially) they've nothing to worry about. And it wasn't just blacks who got enslaved. Whites were too.



The difference is- that's all they've got to whine about. If they abandoned that slavery gig, then they'd have to pull themselves up by the bootstraps and improve themselves.

Answer 17

thousands of people were killed in concentration camps and you never hear them ***** about it. and that was even more recent.



and yes, that makes me mad because my ancestors have only been in america since about 1900 so we didn't enslave anyone

Answer 18

because slavery still exists. we just don't call it that or it isn't exactly how it use to be. but we still have a long way to go.