How Slavery Still Affects Us Today
slavery yet. I think that Mr. Franklin is speaking the truth in this statement. Slavery is one of the worst conditions that have existed throughout history, not only in this country but in other places as well. The enslavement of any group of people is a horrible thing and the effects are long lasting. Until we here in America recognize that slavery is still affecting this country today, we will be forever lost.
The slaves who were finally freed suffered a lot of psychological and emotional damage that has been passed down through generations. It is also important to remember that those who enslaved blacks are no longer alive however they set the stage for a lot of anger, resentment and pain felt within the black community today.
There are those who think that since there has been great strides made for insuring the rights of black people, that the slate has been wiped clean. What is not recognized is the fact that certain conditions exist within the black community because of the institution of slavery. America must understand and realize that these conditions will continue to exist until people confront the truth about how slavery has affected both blacks and whites. In that regard we are all still slaves in our inability to be truthful about how racism was at the core of slavery. Although this is supposed to be the land of the free and the home of the brave, the enslavement of black people clearly shows the hypocrisy of those words.
While blacks today may not be toiling in the hot sun under the whip of the slave master, they still suffer in other ways. Many must cope with poor housing, lack of employment opportunities, inadequate health care and education. These conditions exist because black people have had to play catch up and have been denied certain opportunities that were always available for those of the white race. Of course there are many African-Americans who have found success and lead promising lives. However the majority of them have a difficult time achieving the so-called American dream.
When blacks were enslaved they suffered from a lack of self worth and were victims of a society that labeled them as inferior beings. Because of this, blacks see themselves as inferior as well. This lack of self esteem can often lead to self destructive behavior and the belief that they will never be fully accepted as equal members of society. The mind is a powerful thing and whatever we believe ourselves to be is how we behave. Those who have been oppressed look at themselves through the mirror of the oppressor. The image is not a good one. This way of thinking is passed down from one generation to another. This is only one example of how slavery has affected the black race.
The sad part is that many believe that slavery is a thing of the past but in fact it is still alive and breathing in the hearts and minds of black people. Most people of the white race today understand that slavery was not of their doing but they must come to terms with how slavery still affects the black community. With that said , Mr. Franklin has indeed spoken the truth. Blacks are still suffering from the after effects of slavery and white people are living in a delusion if they think slavery has nothing to do with the way blacks struggle today. In both cases the white race and the black race are still enslaved because this country has not truly confronted the issue of slavery. Until this is done the cycle continues and the chains of slavery remain unbroken.
Published by Mustafa Samiullah
I am a recent graduate from Brooklyn College who is looking for a place to ply my writing trade. I am a huge sports fan, who enjoys surfing the net looking for information on the three major sports and wrest... View profile
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14 Comments
Post a CommentSlavery. How many years ago was that? Blacks are STILL complaining about slavery - but now the tables have turned thanks to liberals. It's now the whites who are slaves. Slaves to a liberal government that bends over backwards to give blacks as many things as it can for free. And the blacks just eat it up. The whiny, spineless liberals have created the "entitlement mentality", and it will destroy this country completely. Gibs muh dat will only go so far. When Obongo was elected president, there were blacks who truly believed that Obongo would actually pay their mortgages and put gasoline in their vehicles. Black people who live in the U.S. now should be VERY thankful that their ancestors were slaves - if they weren't, they'd be living in a third world $h1thole in africa. The majority of blacks that I see couldn't care less what their ancestors had to suffer through, they just whine and moan about slavery that they NEVER experienced and try to get a free ride b
Black people need to just get over it. They should even be grateful to slavery. The majority of the black population in America are descendants of slaves. If America was never involved in the slavery of blacks, then many of the blacks living in America today may instead be living in Africa still and the quality of life in that country is far less than America. Blacks serve only to hurt the American image and society. Watch the show Cops and you'll see that more than half of the people being arrested are blacks. Watch the news, its the same story, most of the crimes being committed by blacks. And its all about publicity and how they suffered so much. Obama becoming the president is a shame to America. He only won out of publicity. We'll see if he can prove himself to be a good president, but so far he has failed. Black people need to stop complaining and blaming white people for the suffering of their ancestors and just realize that they live in America, a much better situation
sorry, i should've spell checked that first huh? lol. And before ppl say anything, get over yourself, we are all humans, with human moments.
I think we are missing the point Black Americans. We will surely lose if we think the "wrong" is gonna be made right. We will surely lose if we are waiting on them to pat us on the head and say sorry, or anything for that matter. I don't feel towards whites the way my father and grandfather. I used to upset at that fact. but now i know we, white and black have to move on. Everyone knows since the begining, africans are the shiznit, we influence everything in america. Once we realize that, start making our own goods and products (besides clothes), we won't see the glory of old ever again.
For the person who wrote on here, this is a joke and you guys suck, well guess what it's not a joke its because of ignorant whites, blacks had to go through slavery. This is not a joke. Slavery does still exist
great article...jus a few things i learnt from my african american lit teacher,
they are not slaves they are enslaved people, they are not blacks they are african americans, they are not whites, they are european american, they are not slaves masters they are enslavers...great work tho
This is true, most slaves back then were torn from their tribes back in Africa, torn away from their families. Most of them witness the most horrific conditions imaginable by humans (especially on the travels to America). Its sad that we cant put the two together. How do you expect a black person to excel in America when they have no traditional values because they were killed/murdered or stripped of any family ties in the past. White America needs to understand and keep an open mind while Black America needs to overcome their troubles and preach a better life to their children with better values than their own.
there is a lot of evidence that support this artical. the fact of the matter is in our community, there are liqure stores around every corner, while in yours, ther is a starbucks, we are awarded fewer oppertunities while oppertunity is handed to you guys, we stuggle from birth to make it in the world, while you are born with a free pass because of the color of your skin. you will never know what kind of life we struggle to live while you veiw us as lazy. don't post comments about things you know nothing about!!!
this is a joke u guys all suck
i agree with ??????? white people want to be included in everything and i know im white so allie and jhade you guys are wrong