Perhaps if I make my statements on a dedicated thread, readers will find them more easily understandable. The following is my original statement.

I think slavery has played a huge part in our national consciousness, but on a global scale? I dont really think so. I think the idea that all Americans are greedy carries over more. I mean on the grande scheme of the World, we are still very young and their are nations and groups of people out there, who have done far worse then we have.

Now that does not excuse what we did, but nether does bringing it up.

I had nothing to do with slavery and it pissed me off everytime its brought up and its demanded, that as a southerner I have to apologize or even feel sorry about it. I dont feel ether. You have a more direct link to slavery then I do, Deb. Do you think you are resonsible for all the bad slavery acts in America?

So what merrit do you have in saying all of America or even just all of the South took part in this? There is slavery all around the world, so do you blame every human for slavery?



What are you doing to stop modern day Slavery in America? Of the Eastern Block, or in Asia?

If you dont lift a finger for the present you have no right to claim foul about the past.

Deb,

I'm not sure I completely understand this multi fascited question, and I am sure my reply will be very insufficient. But I will start the discussion.


First, I don't believe the US was unique in it's slave situation. But the question was about the US, not other countries.

I would have to conclude those actions from that time, roughly 150 years ago, still to this day indicates how the Mason Dixon line displays this division in America.

But then, I live in a Blue state. My perspective is unique with my region. (The North West) I will say though that a couple of decades back I taught Adult Drivers Ed. Most were older women who's husbands had died and now they needed to learn, I mean really learn HOW to drive a car! (Kids don't need to be taught how, they need to be taught how to stay alive!) Any who, one of my students was a black man in his middle 20's. His employeer, the City, decided that driving was a requirement to his job. At 2 hours a lesson that average 6 or 8 lessons, we had quite a few conversations while we drove. Among other things he said he'd rather live in the south! He said, yeah, thems some racist som bitches, but they don't lie about it! They are straight up honest and say it to your face. As apposed to white northerners who smile, shake your hand and tell you how wonderful it is that you get what you got, then get pissy if a black family moves into the neighborhood. I don't know if things have improved much since then for blacks, but I suspect his point was valid then and still is valid today!

Anyway, how does the keeping of slaves in the south, (didnt mention blue state slaves) The souths willingness to break away over the issue of states rights and slavery? That's a lot of question. Though I always thought it was a rich and an abuse of irony for the US to insist that South Africa end Apartheit.

Neither of your responses had anything whatsoever to do with what I wrote. Until you have figured out what I said and have responded in kind, I don't know how to respond to you.

You have jumped to a great many conclusions.

Another thing that pisses me off is that this is brought up over and over abotu being about racisim. We are blinded by color, while the rich screw the hell out of us.

It has always been about the extreme wealthy and the poor. There has been illusions of a middle class, but they never really owned anything ether. All over the worlds, no matter what the controled public opinion may be, its always been the haves versus the have nots.


If you want to continue to waste your time on something that only your generation brings up and not fight the GOOD fight, then by all means. But ask people my age about this issue and we dont care. We see racial color, like hair color. Its just a description of someone and that is all it means. I see and feel there is no difference beyond that.

I am not saying it doesnt exist, It does, but I feel with global culture developing rapidly enough, your primitive notion of rasicm will hopefully die with you. I hope so atleast, but not likely in my life time ether.

I am rambling on again and incase you havent figured it out yet, I am a quarter tard.


[Edit-

Dave,


Maybe it's the hot weather.

Seems many of us wanna a lot!

I wasnt talking to you Dave, but nice answer. I agree with you, it has molded our culture, alot. But I didnt have a hand in it and I dont want any part of it is what it boils down to.

I am trying here to discuss our image in the world, everyone else's perception of the United States. Does that help any?

There's nothing to really discuss. Yes we're greedy, and yes the rest of the world sees it, what more's there to say? The national conscience has little to do with slavery and more to do with the constant bombardment of propaganda telling us the good ole US of A is the place to get rich and everyone living here is wealthy when it just ain't so. If you want wealth and living a decent life, you move to Sweden or Holland. If you want struggle in hopes that you're one of the very few who strike it rich, you live here. In the mean time the poor like believe they're rich by buying shit they can't afford and won't pay off for 20+ years while floating checks and living constantly under the thumb of creditors.