Your Opinion: Thoughts on slavery, history

Dear Editor:

In his eulogy for Rev. Clemente Pinckney President Obama made a reference to "our nation's original sin." He was referring to slavery.

Slavery did not originate in the U.S.A., colonial America or Europe from which most of our ancestors came. Slavery of one people over another has existed pretty much since time began. Great civilizations were built on the backs of slaves of all races. Even the Bible referenced it.

Blacks have not always been the target of slavery. Egypt enslaved the Israelites, many cultures enslaved their own people. In Africa it was common for warring tribes to enslave their conquered enemies.

When Europeans learned how to float a boat to Africa the slave trade became not only a lucrative venture for many Africans themselves but also a way to remove their enemies and eliminate future threats. Tribes and families were broken up on purpose.

Slavery came to colonial America by way of Europe. It flourished because we were a fledgling country with vast natural resources but a small labor force. The South came to rely heavily on slave labor mainly because of cotton and tobacco. Agriculture at the time was labor intensive. Animals pulled plows but weeds were hoed out by hand and crops were picked by hand.

While slavery was not a moral act, not all slave owners were cruel taskmasters. Many slave owners treated their slaves very well, some like members of the family. Even marginal slave owners gave their slaves a place to live; they were allowed to marry and grow their own crops. It was the cruelty of the worst that precipitated the anti-slavery movement.

The Civil War was fought over 150 years ago. As a result, 1.2 million people died, more than all other American-fought wars combined.

The Emancipation Proclamation freed the slaves but beyond that there was no plan to educate and train former slaves. A people who had been provided for, told what to do, when to do it and how were suddenly on their own. Some stayed in the South and helped the rebuilding; others headed North to large cities looking for jobs. That is the whole history in itself.

The Civil War and slavery ended 150 years ago. Parts of our country can't seem to get past that. Things have changed tremendously for the better but it never seems to be enough. Especially when our commander-in-chief won't let it go himself.