- Should African Americans Get Reparations—> US Slavery Residue Part 3
- US Slavery RESIDUE Part. 1 History
- Negrophobia; US Slavery Residue Part 2
Many are offended by the mere thought that the effects of slavery still linger. I shake my head when ever I hear statements such as ‘slavery happened a long time ago, get over it already.’ Funny, I never hear anyone say that about the Jewish Halocaust.
Whenever United States slavery and the issue of racism come up people seem to get very defensive and emotional.
It’s still very much a sore spot and bringing it up is like pouring salt in fresh wounds. I think its because the residue exists whether we admit it or not.
It reeks and leaves a bad taste in everyones mouth. So rather than study, explore, and research our history we sit around pretending it never happened or is no longer relevant.
A people without the knowledge of their past history, origin and culture is like a tree without roots. —Marcus Garvey
While we cannot change the past we can certainly acknowledge it, examine it, learn from it, and openly discuss it to bridge gaps as well as foster understanding. Isn’t that the purpose of all those US history classes in school?
Every History class I ever took (with the exception of classes taken at Hampton University) I always had issues with the curriculum and the teacher. As an adult looking back I see that I resented the 3-4 pages in a 300 or more page textbook that supposedly told the story of African Americans. I never understood how Black History could be summed up in 3 pages when this country established itself through the institution of slavery.
I remember distinctly my 11th grade US History teacher at University High School gave us an assignment in which we were to pretend we were running for president of the United States (during slavery of course). Me being the Black woman that I am, I refused to do the assignment which resulted in a parent teacher conference. I got a C in that class.
There was no way that I could take that woman seriously or listen to anything she had to say, because I felt that she had blatantly disregarded and disrespected the plight of African Americans with that BS assignment. That was in 1992, I wonder if she’s still giving that assignment and if other teachers are doing anything similar. I also wonder…What… If anything…. has been added (in truth) about African Americans to US History textbooks. It seems to me that the education system itself systematically perpetuates US Slavery Residue.
Much of the Residue and Race Relation issues we face exists not just from ignorance but also due to a lack of empathy.
To Be continued…
I agree somewhat with your desire for a more open dialog and an accurate historical overview. As a white male descendant of late 1800′s Irish and Norwegian immigrants, I think the total cultural makeup of our country is of importance to us all. The two topics that are generally ignored when slavery is discussed are that the “market source” for the US slave trade was inter-tribal strife in western Africa and, secondly, the underlying State’s Rights conflict that led to the Civil War. Slavery was (and still is, in some places) an abomination, but it isn’t just a black/white issue. It is an issue of culture clashes, intolerance, and human relations. We cannot get over it until we choose to truly understand it and agree to move forward together. Those that dwell on slavery as a crutch are really just refusing to stand up for who they are today. The Civil War, in truth, centered on the State’s Rights issue (slavery was part of it) and the real argument was whether this country would proceed as founded (a union of states) or if we would change to a centralized nation (not the plan of the founders). This is an important civics lesson that all Americans must come to understand, we must know how-why we were founded so we can know what we truly are as a country.
I would take issue with a couple of things that William S says. Yes, it is true that part of 'the market source" for slavery was inter-tribal warfare.. But the proximate cause was that Europeans wanted the cheap labor. If it makes white folks feel better to point out these "market sources". that's Ok. Just remember that with the slave trade came the creation of white priviledge and the idea of white superiority , and the Africans were not the creators of THAT concept.
Secondly, it is true that so-called "states rights were and issue". But remember, what the conflict was about "preserving the southern way of life", as they put it. Now you tell me, what was one of the chief aspects of this southern way of life that they wanted to preserve? Hmm, you wouldn't suppose that was slavery, now, would you? Do you really think there would have been a civil war if slavery had not existed in the US? In fact what was the "state right" the confederates fought so hard to keep? Yep, the right to keep African human beings as property. States rights, indeed.
I agree that there is still residue. That is a great unoffensive way to put it. I think there is racism and slavery still going on regardless of a persons color, sex, race, or age. Just like our books do not give enough information about African American history, they manage to skip over our relationships with Native Americans, Hispanics, you name it. I think we should change the books so they aren’t just about what president got stuck in a tub or who chopped down a cherry tree…We need to know more information about the every day hard working people that made this country what it is today.
I’m in total agreement if you have the same old people making the exact same decision you will get the same results each and every time.
As an African American living in this country I face racism each and every day of my existance. I feel as if I have to prove myself over and over again and it takes toll on me.
Living in the twenty-first centry racism is still alive and well in this country due in part to certain people thinking or believing that they are prividge based on their heritage. A person should be judged on the content of their character and on their own merits and not on their race/creed or the pigmentation of their skin.
I agree, it is so important for you to know about your roots, whether you are white, black, Asian, Indian, etc. I love the metaphor you have used! The plight of black African Americans will forever be relegated to the background and it is important for people like yourself to ensure it will always be remembered, and respected.
salient points well made, and brought to the awareness of others. you are right – history is important and should not be forgotten otherwise how would we progress society as a whole?
preach it sista!
i agree. you should be proud about your color
I felt just the same in school but was never active about it. I wouldn't say it was coincidence that made Ancient Egypt and Slavery subjects of main interest in schooling over here in London too, you know people that look like me, a child, anyone would subconsciously be drawn to. However, I do not think it is appropriate that people are growing up without knowledge of it…people are too quick to say, it will have a bad effect on the children, it is too much for them, but we learned about the holocaust when I was 10…I dont hate Germans though because it was made clear that times have changed. I do not feel though that this is the case with blacks, and Slavery Residue could not be a more appropriate term. Doing an essay on black race and representation, glad I came across your post, thanks! x