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?

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Should African Americans Get Reparations for Slavery?

When the topic of reparations comes up people get very heated and opinionated… oftentimes without even knowing the facts or history behind reparations.

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United States Slavery began in 1619 and was abolished in 1865. The ideas, attitudes, and beliefs formed prior to and during slavery about Black people did not end or disappear upon the abolition of slavery. Hence, the term US Slavery Residue. As defined by the dictionary, Residue = Something that remains after a part is removed, disposed of, or used; remainder; rest; remnant.

What exactly is this ‘residue’ and how… if at all does it affect us today? In order to answer that we must take a close honest look at American history with fresh new eyes. So few are willing to do that…Are you willing?

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