Tired of the slavery issue?

Question

Are you tired of hearing about slavery and how so many Americans use it as an excuse for their failures and attitudes?

I for one am...every race, culture and gender was oppressed at one time or another. I find it's simply an excuse and an easy way to justify a failure or a negative attitude.

Blueowl....How are people still suffering from the effects of slavery other than by keeping it such an emotional issue they can't move on with their lives? That is not a good argument you have. And I never said forget about slavery, but stop using it to try and make people feel guilty. I never owned a slave, my family never owned slaves. What people weren't treated badly at one time or another? Should we simply focus on how each of our cultures were oppressed and nothing else? If that's the case, I think I need some money for being a woman. Since women were oppressed for so long, I feel that due to that fact, I could have been in a much different place in life had they not been. Oh yeah...and let's not forget about native Americans...they were crapped on too! How about how the Japanese in the US were treated during WWII, even though they'd been in the US for years? Slavery is an excuse. Period.

When were whites oppressed? Many immigrants coming to this country, such as the Irish, were forced into basically slave labor when they got here. In case you haven't noticed, every "white" person here in the US is a decendent of another country. Please read a book and stop feeling sorry for yourself. You are not alone in your history.

Good point Denis...
Slaves were sold to America by other Africans...perhaps THEY are the ones who should apologize to the "decendents of slaves"!

Lol, and I'm sure those "reservations" really made up for the slaughter of thousands of native Americans. I mean seriously...have you even BEEN to a reservation? Also...I think it's pretty bad that everyone feels that by forcing (not anymore, but in the past) the native Americans to live on a small piece of land after everything was TAKEN from them in the first place is pretty insulting.

And...I'm sorry...what does Willie Lynch have to do with my original question?

Answer 1

Yep. I'm tired of it. Blacks can't have equal rights and special treatment at the same time. It needs to remain a part of history that we learn from, but that's it. I'm so sick of hearing about how black Americans (I refuse to call the African Americans because most of them have never BEEN to Africa) have it so bad because of slavery. They have it bad because they can't MOVE ON from the slavery issue.

Answer 2

Slavery is not only a part of my ancestral history and background but it is a part of all Americans history. I feel sorry for those of you who just want to "forget it" and feel that people should just "get over it". If you took the time to learn the "real" history involving slavery instead of the "sugar coated" version we all learned in grammar and high school we would all be much more understanding of each others feelings regarding this issue.

Yeah and when exactly were whites oppressed?

As for the welfare issue, if you do your research you would know that blacks only make up approximately 12% of te population. Approximately 8% of that 12% receive welfare compared to 38% whites, and 17% Hispanic. Additionally, when slavery was "finally" abolished these benefits were not readily available to blacks right away as they should have been. Whites accused blacks for overusing an already overused welfare system. We did not get in on those benefits until very late in the game when government funding was already depleting.

Blacks are not looking for any hand outs but we are looking for a hand up. We have already demonstrated that we are a strong and proud people. We have made many strides in history despite what others may think.

We should never forget this history because we definitely (especially I) don't want it to repeat itself.

And another thing....for those of you who are not up on your history or news for that matter. Native Americans have recieved some form of reparation. They were given "some" land for their own private reservations, they can smoke pot or whatever it is that they smoke from those pipes and can do so legally plus they are also entitled to free education. I don't know if this is an acceptable form of reparation for them (It wouldn't be for me), but, it is at least an "attempt" to acknowledge how badly their ancestors were wronged.

In response to your challenge, Sure, I'll be happy to read any books that you suggest if you would just go to the library (if you even know what that is) and look up the "Willie Lynch" Theory. That would be a great place for you to start. Willie Lynch is one of the main contributers to the psychological and emotional damage that has been passed on from generation to generation to Black Americans. Read the book and then also study up on how his theories still plaque the black community today and you will see why blacks still suffer from slavery and whites still prosper from it. By the way, ever heard of the "strawman" fallacy? your argument is very weak. At least your ancestors were given some form of pay for their indentured servitude. How does that compare in any way to free labor? It just doesn't.

Answer 3

Of couurse you are tired of hearing of the slavery issue your white, some blacks talk of the slavery issue because that is where it all started, if it weren't for slavery we wouldn't have the hardships that we have today like job discrimination, sterotyping, poverty and so on. I am tired of whites saying get over it you never have to walk in our shoes so you will never understand it is hard to get over it when it still effects the majority of your life for example some time after slavery ended the government gave away land grants yes FREE LAND because there was so much of it but somehow because of loopholes in the law exslaves were not permitted this which made it hard for them to pass down land , money (because of job discrimination) and other helpfull things to their children and so on when whites could which brings us to the high poverty level of blacks. You need to understand that whites had a 400yr start and blacks will never be able to catch up. Yes other races were slaves also but when the slaves and masters are two whole different races the outcome is more drastic because when it is all over people still differentiate and also it is more drastic when ex slaves stay in their place of bondage a lot of other race slaves were slaves elsewhere not in America so they come here and are not looked at as negatively as blacks are because our slave history has been originated in America. It is not just about slavery, remember it is about how we are treated today because of slavery.

Answer 4

What Americans use it as an "excuse for their failures"? Or attitudes for that matter? Assumes facts not in evidence.

Slavery should never be forgotten... it is part of the history of the US. Just because it is not a pretty part, it should not be swept under the carpet.

If you are tired of hearing about it, do something to improve the lives of people who still suffer the effects of the racism it fostered.

Answer 5

I do agree with you. It wasn't our generation who was involved with slavery. I heard a black comedienne the other day and he was saying how he was glad we came to get them because today he's so much better off than the people back in Africa. So many groups of people have been abused at one time or another, and history should not forget it. However, it's past history now, so I wish they would stop using that as an excuse for all their current problems.

Answer 6

I agree with you on this, the Indians were treated with worse disrespect than most and the land taken from them. They were killed by the thousands when they wouldn't give up the land and called hostiles to do this. Men were shot befriending an Indian but America accepts anyone who wants to come and live here. Oppression still exists but quit using it as an excuse. There are many musicaians, actors and millionaires who started with nothing but the clothes on there back but with hard work and the will to succed they did

Answer 7

Yes.Mitakes were made and still being made,but the past is the past.Learn by it and move on.Take alook around there are very few real black people any more their getting lighter all the time.AndSome of the most beautiful people you would want to see.Everyone today has a chance to better their lifes.It`s called education.We all need to let go of the hurt and try to come to gether as one nation.

Answer 8

I think people are using it as a crutch the Black man cannot progress because any hope he had was taken away from him for centuries. A long time ago in college my professor told me this"history is like a rear view mirror you take glances at it once in a while but cannot focus onit all the time when your driving" this is rough translation in english, sorry but I guess yu get the point. Nice question

Answer 9

THE LACK OF ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL ACKNOWLEDGEMENT FROM OUR GOVERNMENT.

NOT AN APOLOGY BUT A SYSTEM OF EQUALITY IS STILL NEEDED.

We have heard all about how ancestors have came to Amer for there "Dream". They are talking about the 30s-50s. We never had the opportunity to start doing this until the last 20-30 years. We have not caught up with the immigrants of yesturday.

Answer 10

true we should stop living in the past, why should i be expected to apologise or feel guilty because a few rich guys who treat my ansestors like dirt had a few slaves. thousands of white people in uk at that time were forced to work in dangerous jobs ,live in apauling conditions and died very young, for a wage that bearly fed them. slavery was wrong but only a tiny minority benefited from it. and lets be honest how many want to go back to africa now

Answer 11

Hi,
Yes,, I must admit,, its time to (get over it) and move on.. We did not fight the civil war over slavery,, it was over economic control of a country....and people of that country.. slavery was just one small part used to continue the battles....

I dont believe in slavery , ,, dont get me wrong,, but My Great grandfather didnt own any,, or any of his brothers .... so give it a rest..
Affermitive action.. and all these welfare programs, and the gerymandering of political voting areas for the promotion of the blacks is WRONG......

Go to school,,get an education.. go to WORK, and earn a living....