So how come black people call each other ******?

[Pax]

I'm saying that all events have a connection. The North and South are linked closer much closer than Saddam Hussein and 9/11. In fact they are joined at the mason-dixon line. If all the slaves were removed from the equation then something has to give to make up for the lost production. The production level decreases. The tax money decreases the ability to field an army decreases. Maybe instead of 30,000 men there would be 20,000. maybe the weapons quality would be poorer. The horses older. The fact is the slaves are an integral part of the success of the U.S.. That's why the middle passage was not the free ride to the goodlife you make it out to be.

[OzzyKP]

Is it true Israeli's call each other Nazi?

"wut's up, my Nazi?"

[David Floyd]

Yes, and on the other hand, perhaps a lack of slaves would have forced the South to industrialize earlier, making the US even more powerful/prosperous. There's no way to know for sure.

But I can categorically tell you that the Indians would have been defeated with or without slaves, assuming the US had the will to do so. That is beyond question.

[MrFun]

Too often, it seems that non-blacks do not understand the concept of differentiating the context of the use of the word "******" among blacks, from the use of the word "******" among whites.

[Pax]

Why would the indians have been defeated. I just showed that the south would have had a serious manpower shortage. Also, the only way the south could have really industrialized is if they had the same industry as the north. This would have driven the price of northern goods down and the price of formerly southern goods up. Since the south would not be making these then they would not benefit. The north and south would have less money to buy weapons, food, and clothes to support and army because hile the markets for finished products would be flooded. The actual cost for the basic material cotton would have increased.

[monkspider]

Originally posted by MrFun
Too often, it seems that non-blacks do not understand the concept of differentiating the context of the use of the word "******" among blacks, from the use of the word "******" among whites.

Very well said Mr. Fun. Usually the types you refer to are the far-right wing types nitpicking for a chance to call blacks racist.

[MrFun]

But even many mainstream, non-whites cannot really fully understand why it is appropriate that blacks use the word among themselves.

or no??

[mindseye]

David Floyd, when you argue that many blacks are better off today because their relatives came to the US as slaves, are you arguing that the end justifies the means?

Just checkin'...

[alva]

Blacks all over the world do have a cause to dislike Europeans, So do Asians, Arabs, and Latin Americans. Don't feel like people are racist because they resent their forefathers being kidnapped and enslaved.

Why exactly?
Should I then dislike the Dutch, French, Germans, Italians, Spanish, Scandinavian, etc...because at some point in history they invaded (most of them on more then one occasion) my country

[BeBMan]

Hating entire people for what others did decades or even longer ago is nonsense. It may be emotionally understandable, but it helps noone. If Europeans acted that way, they would still be at war with eachother.

One must look on those who are really guilty, and on the political and social structures which made certain inhumane acts (like the slave trade, the colonization) possible.

[BeBMan]

Originally posted by David Floyd
Pax, that's fine, as long as you recognize the consequences of reversing history would most likely result in you and millions of others never being able to live in the US, and as a result, the vast majority would be worse off.

No offense, but that is IMO a very arrogant POV. You assume automatically that your idea of being better off is the only possible view. You are completely ignoring what it means to be planted from one world into another without your agreement.

I don't agree with many aspects of Pax' historical analysis, but put yourself for a moment in the role of a slave, or a modern black descendant of slaves and then tell me that a car, a tv set, and perhaps enough money would lead you to forget anything been done to you or your ancestors.

[Bereta_Eder]

Do in Africa call themselves that? I don't think so since they have no reason to. So what's the reason?

[Caligastia]

Originally posted by Theben


Doesn't change anything. Europe/America was a new market, and as such there was a rush to fill the demand- often instigated by the colonial powers (i.e. We'll trade with you and give you better arms than your neighbors who you don't like if you bring back gold and slaves). A quick study of colonialism shows that the introduction of superior weaponry has often tipped the scales of power towards on side. Whereas before the differing neighbors would raid each other on occasion, taking a few slaves, now whole villages were being wiped out and enslaved on a wide scale- that WOULD NOT have occurred had the whites not come along.

Damn those evil whites!

This just goes to show what DF and I have been saying all along - that blacks are just as guilty of participating in slavery as whites.

[BeBMan]

With the slight difference that the white societies at that time said they were enlightened and morally better than those uncivilized Barbs....

[Caligastia]

Originally posted by Uber KruX


my first day there, i was greeted with a "whats up ******?". that DID kind of freak me out, but i don't think i can say it offended me. i didn't really know how to respond to that.

when he started calling us crackers and honkies, i have to say i was a little offended. i don't THINK i am a honkey, cracker, or what have you. it was kind of insulting that he would inssuate that i was a racist without even knowing me (thats my definition of cracker, please correct me). he just threw out those words without even getting to know me, and i felt kind of offended. but i guess thats just the way he is. i don't think he means anything by it, so i'm alright with it now. i still stop when he says it, but i don't think much of it anymore.

The funny thing is that if a black person called me ****** as in "whats up ******?" I would take it as a gesture of friendship.