On October 7, 2005 The New York Historical Society will present " Slavery in New York ". It chronicles the period from the 1620's to July 5, 1827 when an emancipation act ended slavery in the state. Since those times, the guilt of slavery has weighed on American culture and politics.
History has been filled with other examples of slavery. The Greeks, whose philosophy and culture were the basis for Western Civilization were enslaved by the Romans. But the Greeks made the most of it and Rome learned Greek ways. Rome invaded and conquered Greece. Africa was not invaded. Slaves that were bought by American traders were delivered to the shores by tribal chiefs who were paid for their service.
The question is what were these slaves deprived of ? Was their leaving Africa a better or worse fate than remaining? Nobody knows that answer. Looking at Africa compared to America in the last 300 years may suggest to some that getting out of Africa might have been a blessing in disguise.
Guilt for slavery in America has been overdone and probably not justified with all things considered. There is a lot of money in the "race business " and that is why it lingers.
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