White Privilege has secured wealth legacy down the food chain to the poorest. That “Wealth Legacy” aka White Privilege and Legacy of “Slavery” is mutually exclusive. Wealth of using ENSLAVED LABOR to build the Entire US obviously is transferred to White Privilege and conversely the wealth legacy of the Enslaved Persons is lost. Restitution is in order!
“The Capitol, which has housed Congress since 1800 is the most recognized symbol of democratic government in the world. Although this magnificent structure is visited by nearly fine million people a year, few are aware of the use of Enslaved Labor to build it. “ US Capital Historical Society
Where’s the Legacy of Wealth, like the Plantation Owner’s Legacy? Or the wealth transfer enslaved labor building the U.S. Capital?
The Story of Europe by Christopher Clark told the history of the culture of Europe’s quest for dominance of the world, going to Africa and stealing persons for enslavement. England emerged as the leader in African Slave Trade, spreading their plunder throughout the Americas, thus assuring their Wealth Legacy.
On a PBS episode: the entire history of US was predicated on Slavery and ingrained in every aspect. England abolished Slavery with the Colonies, and America being afraid lead to the Revolutionary War.
Arlington Cemetery was Lee’s home, deservedly the hero’s of Civil War fight for freedom from Slavery/ Enslavement were buried in his front yard, taking his property for posterity. Lee was a Traitor who owned people, making them slaves…Robert E. Lee personally owned slaves that he inherited upon the death of his mother, Ann Lee, in 1829.
The pivotal point of the last great divide manifested itself over Slavery, with the underlying point being Money and Oligarchy. We cannot rewrite the History of Confederate States, they were full blown fascism. Slavery was the domain.
Slavery. Enslavement of an Individual. A horror story! Needs to be Told Every Day!
What digs deeper than Fear for Life compounded by Misery of Existence?
Flight or Fight emotion is so powerful in all and triggers stress. So terrible a fear to deal with anyone, especially one held in Slavery. So shameful! And, those who ignore this history are part of the past and equally guilty.
To deny Slavery as an Ugly stain on American History, is in itself a crime. History of Slavery, with the guilt of the past and those who were responsible for this horrific tragedy has no expiration date and woe for the future of those who cling on.
“To be ignorant of what occurred before you were born is to remain always a child. For what is the worth of human life, unless it is woven into the life of our ancestors by the records of history?” ― Marcus Tullius Cicero 108 BC - 43 BC
Reminded Juneteenth is beyond the idea of Slavery but more significant is Individual Enslavement! Morally speaking, Who Does This?
A PBS episode: history of slavery, man’s inhumanity to man, “Under Ground Railroad” - a glimmer of hope, then hope crushed with ‘Fugitive Slave Act’ 1850 - such inhumane cruelty, heartrending …
reminded
Swing Low, Sweet Chariot” composed by Wallis Willis about 1865 metaphors for the Underground Railroad, carrying Hopefuls to Freedom.
Mark Twain wrote for restitution:
''I do not believe I would very cheerfully help a white student who would ask a benevolence of a stranger,'' Twain wrote Francis Wayland, the law school dean, on Dec. 24, 1885, ''but I do not feel so about the other color. We have ground the manhood out of them, & the shame is ours, not theirs; & we should pay for it.’’
“Who controls the past controls the future, who controls the present controls the Past” George Orwell
Sen Henry Clay gave us the Filibuster back in 1850’s thereabout to prevent states changing Anti-Slavery - Slavery still exists, with the 13th Amendment: “Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, except as a punishment for crime whereof the party shall have been duly convicted, shall exist within the United States,…”
Reminded: To be a Republican one must be Rich, Cruel, or Ignorant, and it’s not mutually exclusive. Underscore Cruel.
“Returning hate for hate multiples hate, adding deeper darkness to a night already devoid of stars. Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate, only love can do that.” Martin Luther King Jr.
“In a real sense, all life is interrelated. All people are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied in the single garment of destiny.” Martin Luther King Jr. Strength to Love 1963
“In a free society, some are guilty and all are responsible,” wrote Abraham Joshua Heschel.
“He who passively accepts evil is as much involved in it as he who helps to perpetrate it. …we will remember not the words of our enemies, but the silence of our friends.” Martin Luther King
For the White Privileged, try thinking of one’s worst bad day, then multiply by 365, then by 400 and not even come close. I grew up not having to think about my skin color and the repercussions for the day.
Discrimination has always pervaded society, and of course at different levels. But back in the ’70’s it struck me, with a particular case involving discrimination based on color and it affected me because I was sensitive to this ‘cancer’.
In the early ’70’s I was supervisor of 13 full service gasoline stations Detroit area, with about 100 employees under my direction. I was awarded Top Sales for the region.
When the Regional Manager came to Detroit from Ashland Ky for inspection, I traveled with the Regional Manager and my supervisor to each of my stations. Parked and watching from a distance, the Regional Manger spouted “what are those “N” word doing on my driveway? Get rid of them.” Needless to say, I did not “Get rid of them”, and a short time later was ‘let go’ for no specific reason.
Those who refrain from Acknowledging History’s Slavery Abhorrence and Necessary Reparations bear the Same Shame and are Guilty of Same even back to the Named Day.