Why do so many African American's refer back to the time of slavery?

Question

It seems a lot of celebrities do this. I notice Oprah Winfrey does it quite often on her talk show.

Yes i know it was a terrible time in the United States history, but why keep bringing it up? Its not like they personally were slaves themselves and its not like the white people in the audience were slave owners.

Answer 1

First of all, I'm white, obviously. But my son is black.

Anyway, here's how I see it:

There are two ways to address the issue of slavery. I've seen both.

The first, and this is what you're probably referring to, is BACKWARD-looking, using slavery as a crutch or an excuse or a plea for special treatment. A culture of victimhood, if you will. However, we shouldn't be too quick to deem any mention of slavery to be in this category. We shouldn't balk at any mention of slavery. It was a real period of history and it shouldn't be ignored-- of course, neither should it be used as a crutch.

The second way of addressing slavery is FORWARD-looking. An acknowledgment of that dark period in our history, sincere regret that it happened, and a resolution to prevent history from ever repeating itself (this isn't an issue in the U.S. anymore, but it is overseas.) Also, it's important to remember that while slavery has been illegal in the U.S. for a long time, we've only been functioning as a truly de-segregated society for about 40 years. That's only two generations.

The effects of slavery and the effects of racial policies (like the Jim Crow laws) are still being felt, and it's important to acknowledge that in light of moving forward as a society toward true equality. That doesn't mean we institute reparations or harp on the horrors of slavery to make other groups in society feel guilty. But it is possible to discuss slavery in a positive, constructive way without balking at the very mention of it.

Answer 2

First of all its history that often establishes itself with recent occurrences. Why should it be forgotten if people still have the same ignorant views on the subject. There are still very racist people here, whether or not you choose to notice is another issue entirely. And no; those audience members are not slave owners, but somewhere along the lines, there ancestors were. This is also why some are very wealthy, because some HAD slaves to help build the foundation that there children's children inherit. Its not to be forgotton, it ca't be!

Answer 3

I agree with what almost everything everybody said and you as well. But I don't agree that Affirmative Action is a form of "reverse racism", but I do agree that America did go wrong because remember White Women benefit from it more so it has a smaller affect on blacks. Affirmative Action hasn't really helped out a lot of blacks (who are a minority), it seems to be helping out the Majority. I'm of African slave decent. My mom decedent of U.S American slaves, and dad from Jamaican slavery decent. I don't understand how many other countries gave the people they held captive as slaves, or manual laborers reparations yet the U.S. didn't, except for with Japanese. It is too late to give a proper reparation as far as money goes, but giving a reparation of some sort would really help the poverty stricken areas that some blacks live in, and were born into. I'm not saying give me money but a fair neighborhood, to live, and learn in. As well as a place where racial profiling is not running rampant As as far as we may have come in America many of us are still waiting for a leveled playing field.

Answer 4

History is history and it can't be changed. It just is.

Look at World War II I don't think we would want to compare the two.

I honestly feel that until African Americans are able to put slavery into their past they will never get on with productive futures. A small percentage have but a major portion still think it is the present.

It has been 142 years since the abolition of slavery. People talking about it today most likely never even knew a slave. Hanging onto the past is not productive. The energy should be going to a permanent landmark to recognize slavery. Maybe there is one and I just don't know about it.

One of the things that doesn't seem to be remembered is that Africans sold Africans to the slave traders.

We all have horrendous things in our past. But talking about it does NOT make it any different.

2007 is almost here, start fresh and put the past where it belongs in the past.

Answer 5

Because it was an important time in Black history? I mean, I refer to it, and also to the Civil Rights Movement, Motown, and many other things that have some importance in the history of my race. I'm sorry if people hate hearing about it, and I'm sorry that we use it as an excuse; it isn't one. But I doubt anyone is going to shut up about it because it makes people uncomfortable, any more than they will shut up about the Viking raids, the Crusades, the Holocaust, or anything else. If you forget history, you are doomed to repeat it.

Answer 6

Why do we refer back to any time in our history? Is it for our learning? Why do the schools bother to have history as part of the school curriculum? Should we omit some of the history that bothers us because we don't want to be reminded of something? A lot of us were not part of Hitler's regimen when he annihilated the Jews but we have history on it, museums, etc. So what is the big deal if we do refer back in time? Perhaps we can LEARN something from it?

Answer 7

I think we use when we realize are being discriminated against. Oprah used because her time in Paris was full of racsim, we use it because it is a painful part of our history. Some use it as an excuse not to better themselves.

Answer 8

Because the things that occured during slavery still affect us to this day. We may not have been there physically, but much of the same kind of thinking exists now, although it is illegal to act on much of it. Also, the pain of slavery has been passed down from generation to generation. It simply cannot be erased.

Answer 9

how much do you know about their family tree? Do you personally know that their family members were slave trader's and owner's I highly doubt it so why don't you try talking to a black person in person to find the anser to your question or maybe pick up a book and educate yourself because your quite the ignorant gal

Answer 10

go to school and get formal education. if you know little on the topic then don't comment. i learned alot in school about slavery and i'm white. odds are the audience were slave owners. a question for you why do so many people refer back to the time of the holocaust? tables turned ey.