Today marks 200 years of the end of physical black slavery, has anything changed mentally?

Question

Mental slavery is not as easy to rid oneself off as the physical unshackling of chains. The effects are also long standing.

Whatisthis, I operate predominantly amongst other blacks, and therefore I can state categorically that whilst subconcious, most blacks lack the assertiveness and confidence to take advantage of the opportunities that are open to all, hence you see the predominance of the gun culture, crime, drugs, lack of coherent family structures etc. These are the results of mental slavery, not some 'higher source' indoctrination. Fortunately there is a growing number of us who are excelling and refuse to fit into these stereotypes. The way others perceive me as part of a race however is harder to dispel.

Fluffdaddy, Damn fool, Black Slavery was started and was finished by the British. America lagged behind somewhat. The Act you quoted was theoretical. Real Slavery ended in America with the Civil Rights Act. I despair for Negroes like you. It's you I speak about.

Answer 1

I would like to answer your question but... May you please define the so called "Mental Slavery"? Do you mean you feel that some caucasians are controlling you psychologically or with super power? I would like to know exactly what you're talking about so I can give you some opinions. Thank you.

July 8, 2006 Thanks for the additional details.

I agree that "Mental Slavery" exists IF it occurs on an individual bases. So if your question is "Has anything changed mentally?", YES.

I am Ethnically Chinese, Grown up in British Culture and now Live in the US... so I believe I AT LEAST PARTIALLY understand the concept of slavery.

Back in the Days when Slavery was 'legal' or commonly practiced, slaves initially had ZERO way to get out of slavery BECAUSE they were PHYSICALLY restrained. If you know about African American Christian songs, a LOT of them were composed at that time (I believe like "Do Lord"). But their mentality (in my opinion) was Free because those believed in God Had HOPE, so there WASN"T MENTAL SLAVERY for some of the slaves. So I believe all they Could do was to accept what happened to them
... UNTIL the Civil Right Movement... but before that, Slaves had NO choice or they would be punished if caught while escaping.
But NOWADAYS, those who are, or believe they are 'Mentally Enslaved', again, in my opinion, CAN FREE themselves. They are not Physically Restrained, most of them are physically stronger than at least Asians and Latinos, there shouldn't be any Mental Slavery at ALL Since all of them are FREE to do, think, and believe in whatever they want.

My Point is: YES, it has changed. In fact, it just came to exist since Martin Luther King Jr 's Civil Right Movement. IF this Mental Slavery does ever trully exists, any of Them can free themselves with no hindrance to that process. As long as many more of African American believe in this, the growing number of blacks who are excelling will keep growing faster and faster. And I so deeply wish that NO African Americans would choose NOT to excel because they believed that they are stereotyped as low class of under-educated.

This is my personal view point and does not represent racial opinion.

Answer 2

In college, one of our teachers conducted an informal survey of the students, all ages 20-27. We were in a Children's Literature class, and we were reading "Little Black Sambo." She asked us if we knew what "Sambo" meant. We had no idea it was a racial slur.

Now, keep in mind, the KKK holds a rally in my hometown every year in the Fall, and one of the neighboring towns was home to the Aryan Nation organization for about 30 years. We have lots of "good old boys" living in the area. Yet no one knew what that phrase meant... black and white students.

This tells me how far we've come. I know it's hard to deal with the fact that you're here, most likely, because someone in your lineage was "sold" at a very young age to a farmer who-knows-where. But as language evolves, so do people. I see all kinds of ethnicities on TV now, and when I was a kid it was a big deal to have The Cosby Show on the air. I mean, a black middle class family headed up by a doctor and lawyer? It was unheard of in television.

We've come a long way, baby. And it will only get better. Our kids will probably never even think to ask a question like this.

Answer 3

However, you must admit that there is a big difference from now to 200 years ago. Although there is still slavery in one form or another it is much better then 200 years ago. Back then black people couldn't vote, marry white women/men, sit on the front of the bus or anything like that. Some of the mentality of people have changed, but not all. That will take millions and millions of years unfortunately but maybe one day Martin Luther King Jr.'s dream will completely come true.

Answer 4

I wish everyone would join this century not the last one history is just that - history. If we keep concentrating on it and blaming others for what their ancestors might have done or been through then it will never change. As long as we remember we are all AMERICANS regardless of race , color , creed, or religion, we are all in this together . We as americans have more important things to worry about then what happened two hundred years ago. So everyone listen for the pop, thats the sound it will make when the few who are still on this subject wake up and pull their heads out of their collective a$$e$. P.S whaaaaaaaaa quit crying and be a man . have some self respect.

Answer 5

Let me ask you a question. Have you EVER been a slave? Not your ancestors......YOU. If the answer to that question is no, please stop using the worlds mistakes in the past and your crutch and excuse to be bitter and get on with your life. Make something of yourself. Make the world a better place. No one handed me anything on a silver platter and I don't have a silver platter for you.

Making it now days takes a lot of hard work. Get busy. Stop using your energy on holding on to wrongs! I'm not saying they were not wrong, I'm just saying let it go! If all you contribute to the world is rehashing old sins, are you really any different? Aren't you really enslaving yourself? Find the joy in life. I did not take it away from you. I can promise you that.

Answer 6

Not too much has changed mentally except that we hide our racism much better. A lot of people will tell you they are not racists but then ask them if they want a Black neighbor living next to them. But also I believe a large part of the blame has to be placed on blacks themselves. The black community needs to put more of an emphasis on education and helping each other out, because if they don't nobody will and nothing will change.

Answer 7

If the Jews can move on in only 40 years - It maybe time to look in the mirror. You have numerous more benefits and programs to help you advance and educate yourself. I and my children will not have any benefits of Affirmative Action. Are you implying that minority students in this day and age can not compete with whites and other races for jobs or educations? Self respect, Self determination, self reliance and pride start at home. Home and families should be repaired in all communities and cultures.

Answer 8

today marks the white slave auction in Moldova. slavery is all around us, in all cultures. Africans enslaved other africans for thousands of years before meeting Europeans(who had abandoned slavery in Roman times)
to an extent EVERYONE suffers mental slavery-to their job, spouse, kids, church, friends. BLACK has nothing to do with it

Answer 9

Yes! 200 years has passed so why don't you forget it? It's over! You never had any chains shackled to you for being a slave,so how can you have been affected mentally?

Answer 10

Are you retarded? The Emancipation Proclamation was signed 141-142 years ago. If you believe you are enslaved mentally, then you are. Only you are enslaving yourself. We have equal opportunity, not a promise of equal outcomes. You are free to fail.