Thanks for reading. Yes it has been a very short time since slavery was abolished and because this is the case, it’s important that Americans understand that it is reasonable that its effects still exist today.

The abolition of slavery did not end white supremacy. It only changed forms. As I mentioned in the article, it created new forms of racism that are now institutionalized and have become the fabric of this nation.

White America refuses to acknowledge this because no one wants to talk about America’s original sin. Most would rather have discussions about slavery around the world than to admit America is the ONLY country that engaged in chattel slavery which is the most insidious.

The Civil Rights Act was only passed 60 years ago. We are not that far removed from a time when it was not illegal to discriminate against Black people. It is amazing to me how Americans can believe that equity exists here. What the founding fathers felt is not something of the past. It’s very much alive and well today but it’s easier for most to regulate such behavior to the past than to deal with what is happening right now.

My entire article was written to prove the point you mentioned- that we are human and do not always do our best. That is fine when we are talking about making a mistake. But intentionally enslaving human beings, raping and beating women to produce MORE enslaved humans for the sole purpose of eternal servitude, stripping the dignity, ability to seek education, refuge, and generational wealth from an entire group of people is not a small “I just wasn’t able to do my best because I’m only human” moment. That was intentional and deliberate evil that still hasn’t been properly addressed.

The Japanese have been addressed. The Jews have repeatedly been addressed and no one dares to minimize the Holocaust even in this country. But slavery is a footnote that America deems irrelevant and regulates to the past. I will never sit well with that and neither will my people.