posted on Jan, 31 2010 @ 02:40 PM
Originally posted by Arcane Demesne
But slavery really has nothing to do with 'race.' It has to do with finding cheap labor from places where the people cannot defend themselves
(Vikings used to enslave the Irish - they're practically genetic cousins).
I wish people would quit with this nonsense, and quit spreading reasons for people to hate each other.
I essentially agree with you. Slavery in one form or another has existed in nearly all parts of the world and in nearly all societies for thousands
of years.
There were even blacks and native Americans who owned black slaves.
But to defend dragonseeker and earthdude a bit, the oppression of African Americans didn't end after the Emancipation Proclamation. There were many
generations who lived under what was essentially apartheid in this country. African Americans couldn't receive equal wages, go to white schools,
drink out of white water fountains, use white restrooms, ride in the white sections of public transportation, eat at white restaurants, swim in white
pools, and suffered many other discriminatory practices. This happened as recently as the 1960's.
So there is only one generation that has even begun to be really free and equal in our society.
I think what earthdud is saying is that a people who have been told by society that they are essentially worthless except for near-slave-labor wages
for many generations is gong to find it more difficult to reach social and economic parity with the majority population, at least for a few
generations.
[edit on 31-1-2010 by Sestias]