America Wouldn't Be What It Is Today Without Slavery

"I get a lot of bad comments about what I'm about to say, but I feel like I can trust you guys." Said Nameless Guy. Two guys and I wait for what Nameless Guy is about to say with curious anticipation. "What I'm about to say may seem wrong, but it is what I believe and one thing, don't get angry." Nameless Guy says as he looks at each of us. "America wouldn't be what it is today without slaves. America needed slaves. All great empires needed slaves to grow." The first guy blankly stares at Nameless Guy in disbelief. The second guy's mouth curves into a growl while he unfolds his arms, about to pounce. I just stand there, waiting for Nameless Guy to get his ass severely beaten. Perhaps his assertion would have gone over better with other people, but Nameless Guy (who is white) just told three black guys America wouldn't be great if it weren't for slavery.

Before you send me hate mail (or vice versa "applauding mail" from you racists), this isn't my belief but actual quotes from a guy I know. No, he didn't get his ass kicked as you probably thought he has. Afterwards, he explained further what he "meant" to say. The damage has been done though.

Nameless Guy's logic is, every empire needs a form of slavery. As second black guy said "There are two classes, the rich and the poor. Usually, the rich/upper class made the poor/lower class do all the hard work." What Nameless Guy forgets is that African Americans were not originally from North America. We were stolen from Africa and used to build America. Yes, slavery was used well in the past to build empires, but at least those empires used their own people...

I want to read your take on this, so comment away...

Frank

(Editor's Note: This blog post was originally posted June 29, 2008.)