The purpose of the Civil War has long been debated by historians from the North and the South. The North generally believed that that war was declared after several states seceded from the United States. In their view the Civil War was an attempt to preserve or save the Union. The South generally believed that each state should be able to handle their own affairs without interference from the Union, the Federal government. And that was the reason for their secession. But at the center of it all was slavery.
Slavery wasn't just about making a profit from the free labor of others. It was also about the perceived rights of the white slaveholders to believe that they were superior to the slaves. In their minds the slaves weren't even human. They were exactly 3/5 of a human and could be bought, sold, and disposed of a the mercy of their owners. Yes there were some black slave owners. Some of them owned their black brothers and sisters in a attempt to keep families together, yet others probably had most of the same reasons as the white owners, to have a source of free labor which would enable them to live at a higher standard of living.
The Civil War followed by the Emancipation Proclamation and subsequent declaration on Juneteenth freed the enslaved Americans. And for a period of time know as the Reconstruction brought some hope and prosperity to the newly freed people.
It is this shared history of bondage that ties us together and separates us. Many of us cannot or will not acknowledge our painful past. For some, the unhealed wounds are far too deep. Not really knowing who we are or where we come from can be painful. For others, looking back just isn't important to them. It's not a matter of disrespect, but simply leaving the past in the past.
I understand both points of view. We are a diverse people and I can no more speak for others as they can speak for me. That's why each of us must tell our own version of our history. Somewhere woven in the tapestry of those stories is the truth.
Slavery wasn't just about making a profit from the free labor of others. It was also about the perceived rights of the white slaveholders to believe that they were superior to the slaves. In their minds the slaves weren't even human. They were exactly 3/5 of a human and could be bought, sold, and disposed of a the mercy of their owners. Yes there were some black slave owners. Some of them owned their black brothers and sisters in a attempt to keep families together, yet others probably had most of the same reasons as the white owners, to have a source of free labor which would enable them to live at a higher standard of living.
The Civil War followed by the Emancipation Proclamation and subsequent declaration on Juneteenth freed the enslaved Americans. And for a period of time know as the Reconstruction brought some hope and prosperity to the newly freed people.
It is this shared history of bondage that ties us together and separates us. Many of us cannot or will not acknowledge our painful past. For some, the unhealed wounds are far too deep. Not really knowing who we are or where we come from can be painful. For others, looking back just isn't important to them. It's not a matter of disrespect, but simply leaving the past in the past.
I understand both points of view. We are a diverse people and I can no more speak for others as they can speak for me. That's why each of us must tell our own version of our history. Somewhere woven in the tapestry of those stories is the truth.