Quote:
Originally Posted by Army Wife'79
Slavery wasn't always about race. When I lived in SC I went on a "Gullah Tour" in Charleston conducted by an expert (black) on slavery and he pointed out that several "free black people" owned property, acerage and slaves in both Charleston and New Orleans and had sort of a "special status" (I guess b/c of their freedom). Also that they were often "meaner" than the white overseers and their slaves liked being traded/sold to the white owners. (there were lots of stunned looks on this tour bus).
Also, many blacks enlisted in the Confederate side of the Civil War b/c they didnt' want their way of life to end. History books from our childhood had a way of painting inaccurate pictures of the entire situation.
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Outside of Charleston and New Orleans, there were blacks that owned slaves. If you understood the nuances and intersections of race/color/nationality/status, it may be clearer why there were black slave owners and how they went about rationalizing their participation as a slave owner in the institution of slavery. One cannot apply a generalization that fits all people, then or now. Little 32 provided primary sources that highlight the fact that slavery was indeed about race.
SIDEBAR: This reminds me of the episode of A Different World, where Whitley finds out her great-grandfather owned slaves.
Back to the topic:
History books (and any other textbooks for that matter) often don't paint an accurate picture of ANYTHING. I know this because I work in the educational textbook publishing industry. They often don't paint complete pictures because the truth is not always pleasant and developers and editors struggle with what should be/how should particular subjects get taught; because not all students are able to comprehend the macro and micro elements of something like slavery, trail of tears, etc. And because many parent/educators (at the state and local level) don't want these things taught to their kids. At the end of the day, for the publishing company it comes down to money and their need to sell books. So, for example, you won't see cultural/musical references to the Buena Vista Social Club in Spanish textbooks sold in Florida because of the influence of the Anti-Castro Cuban population in the state, Despite the fact of the impact BVSC has had on latin/caribbean music throughout the world.
I also wouldn't expect a tour guide to rail against white people on a tour bus with white people on it.