Was slavery a blessing in disguise for blacks?

Question

do african-americans ever wonder if their life would have been better if slavery had never occured and they grew up in africa?

the question was obviously towards todays blacks, not whether it was a blessing for those that were actually slaves

Answer 1

Why do people think that slavery would have been the only way Africans would have gotten here? I think that if not for slavery we wouldn't have come over here as soon as we did, but would have made our way to the states eventually, just like any other immigrant. When? I don't know....that's just my opinion.

Answer 2

Hi Matt,

You certainly have picked an intelligent question!

Well, Life with or without slavery is not really the answer we want if this is going to be looked at objectively. It is the overall quality of life that is the essential thing to understand when dealing with slavery.

Slavery has been around for thousands of years and was not this cruel or sadistic lifestyle people always assume it to be. Slaves in ancient Rome for example, were bought by the army to make up the numbers that fell short and many slaves were educated by the upper classes to fulfill political objectives they were too afraid themselves to dictate new legislations. Quite a number of past emperor's in antiquity were born from slavery and adopted to become future rulers because their anonymous identities gave way to this.

I have a degree in history and know a considerable amount on slavery.

As for African Americans, I would say that back in the days when the quality of life was dismal all round, slavery was just a very bad extension of that suffering on the whole and people knew no
difference. It definitely opened up new prospects for the more well treated ones, but as in all poor communities, there were just as many native white's as there were African's suffering in dire poverty and living in abusive environments. No one was immune to suffering whatever their color or religion or background when poverty bred suffering.

However, there were a huge need for slaves and those who owned them, were usually those who could afford them and would have treated them with a certain degree of respect so that they could carry out the duties asked of them. The very lucky were taught a lot of new skills and were educated to take over properties and businesses because owner's didn't want the competition of native rivals confiscating land. The slave had
many wonderful uses and many who came to America, were sent to work on the cotton fields and other lands and the slaves were paid a good salary for their labor which many saved and became rich when they were also given free food, shelter and health care.

This is how it really was and many slaves were treated very well because they were an investment for the rich to compete with other wealthy rivals. You should read up on this to understand what would take me so long to explain.

The more they proved their worth, the more their owners gave equal responsibility and hence, why so many prospered as a result. The unfortunate ones lost out but no less than native Americans respectively. Modern generations of African Americans wouldn't know because they did not go through it themselves and identify themselves as American anyway.

But back when slavery was around, life wasn't as liberated as it is today and even in Africa now, there is so much poverty that there has always been and so naturally, many do count their blessings even though some would rather have a life in Africa living the way they can in America.

Hope I have answered your question?.

P.s, just to let you know that there are far more successful Chinese than there are any other cultural identity around and
even native American's know this.

Answer 3

It's amazing how many obtuse thinkers there are in the world. There's a lot of soap boxes in this corner of the world, too bad people can't think beyond their little corner of the room. If weren't for the fact that koonta kintey and imbabba noggoee were brought to America and made slaves then it's quite possible that Amos Washington or Gary Lincoln wouldn't have had the opportunities they have today. (whoever, ficticious names) I'm sure that many blacks have pondered just the question you've brought out but they won't be labeled loonies because they're black. Too many liberals would have you think you don't have the right to ponder the existence of others or other worlds.

Answer 4

even as he places it that way, you may have a good time with that black human beings have were given American citizenship out of the entire element, yet nonetheless, even if that is neccessarily an outstanding element is yet another count.... (many ought to nevertheless were extra effective off of their unique international locations). All in all, i in my opinion imagine that the "stability" between the best of eventual citizenship and the undesirable of centuries of slavery would not quite stability out. although, we are able to not quite comprehend how issues may have panned out were slavery to not in any respect have befell, genuinely issues may be very diverse yet previous that i do not imagine you are able to quite presume something.

Answer 5

Just looking at the living conditions in Africa answers that Question. The ones that really got lucky are the descendant's of selective breeding that are now professional athletes makin large money and getting all the bling and fetchins they so desire.

Answer 6

Yes.

If you disagree, then please move back to Africa. I recommend Mugabe's Zimbabwe. Enjoy the 1200% and climbing inflation rate; enjoy the degenerating infrastructure. Enjoy the famine and disease.

Oh, you don't want to do that? Then you will have to admit that slavery brought black people lots of prosperity that they would never have had in Africa.

"well it's not just blacks who's lives with be different imagine the things whites wouldn't have and any other group everything would be different africa could even be different no one ever knows"

What things would white people not have? Slavery only benefited a few wealthy plantation owners as a source of cheap labor to maximize their profits. The average white farmed his own land and sold his own product to the market.

Blacks who disagree with slavery should move back to Africa.

Answer 7

of course it was. if not for slavery, blacks wouldn't have anything to ***** about to this day, and looking for hand-outs 200 years later. and then they couldn't walk around in their day-to-day lives and act like eveyone owes them something, whether they work for what they want or simply steal it.

oh, and most importantly...if slavery hadn't happened, blacks might take responsiblity for their actions, and not blame all their various shortcomings on "RAYCISM~!" and "Da Man holdin' 'em down".

oh christ, who am i kidding, no they wouldn't.

Answer 8

Why do you, in your wildest dreams, do you think that any form of slavery would be a blessing? (and I am not black) Just because they are in America doesn't mean that they have a better life. Take yourself back to that point in time. All these people wanted to do is eek out there life in Africa. Instead, they were brought here, to eek out the same life, away from family and friends, under tyrany. Sure, great men have come out of the African ancestory in America. The great ones like Martin L. King are second and third gereration. Who is to say what progress he could have made in Africa. Had he been there, African countrys may not be considered 3rd world. When you speak of slavery, you must take yourself back in time. You must suffer as thy did.
No matter what came of it, who's to say that something better would'nt have happened had it not happened. NOT YOU!

Answer 9

To say slavery was a blessing would probably be considered offensive to some, but I think you have a point in the idea that they should consider what their lives might have been like if their ancestors had not come here as slaves.In answer to mosrider2002, none of the people here today went through that. They are reaping the rewards of the ancestors suffering.

Answer 10

Slavery was not a blessing to the Irish people. It was not a blessing for the Jewish people. It was not a blessing for the African people. I seriously doubt the Americans of different ethnic background would doubt their American heritage. There are a lot that are truly glad to be American. It is the few, as in all races that have problems. The few with the biggest mouths make it bad for the many.