Slavery

[Findarto]

How do you feel about Slavery ?
In general ? Agree with any points ? Where would we be today if it had not happened ? Have any ancestors who were slaves, masters, or who helped free slaves ?

[adazakura]

it seems to be part of a certain mindset of the human condition to conquer and to enslave, slavery has been going on for as long as their have been human beings and still exists today.
The most popular example of slavery is the export of those sold and taken by force from the african continent and shipped to the americas. Because america was so hugely influenced by many cultures of colonists they had contacts and families and knowledge of these oppressed peoples spread.
the activists and involvement of abolishment of slavery through the civil war up to the protests in the 60s and luther king and beyond means that a cultural phenomenom for and against slavery has been aprt of culture through art and literature (i mean if u have struggled through harriet beecher stowe.. yeesh!, alice walker and maya angelou another two examples of literary genius on this topic)
so ok across our history we've enslaved people, why?
because we're lazy, because we acquire and possess (to posses is not just a capitalist phenomenom, you keep what you conquer as seen with the vikings in particular), what drives us to do this??
whatever it is i find it horrible and disgusting and many organised religions suggested slavery as a beleif as they said that people other than themselves are inferior and had no 'soul' (also seen in the beleif that animals and plants dont have a soul because they are other and we dont understand them)

has slavery gradually declined?
racism is still out there, and whatever your skin colour or otherwise it is hard to avoid prejudices fed through your television at you...
but you have to beleive that this kind of racism is disgusting for the people to beleive it is sad and disquietening, slavery to a certain extent is bigotism and ignorance, taken further it becomes genocide and pure arrogance..

as human beings we are selfish and find it hard to empathise with others, because we live in a circle of 'I' we can only see our own world view as we only have our brain to rely on...
This has fostered belifs and hopwevr you argue about how it happened it did happen and is still happening,
how do i feel about it??

awful its horrible and very very tragic that people can not live together...
thoguh as terry prattchett says 'black and white get on together and gang up on green' i imagine itll be interesting when our little society comes against something we truely cannot understand..

and if we think what we do to each other.. think what others could do to us for similar or even more bizarre ideas..

ermm
i talked alot
whoops
cough

[Valnorran]

Have any ancestors who were slaves,
I'd be willing to bet everybody does if you go back far enough.

masters,
Yep. On my mother's side, right here in Louisiana. I still live on our plantation and know where a couple of slaves are burried on the place.

or who helped free slaves ?
Yep. On my father's side, in Missouri.

racism is still out there, and whatever your skin colour or otherwise it is hard to avoid prejudices fed through your television at you...
but you have to beleive that this kind of racism is disgusting for the people to beleive it is sad and disquietening, slavery to a certain extent is bigotism and ignorance, taken further it becomes genocide and pure arrogance..
Race has little or nothing to do with it. People are enslaved because they're conquered. Plenty of black Africans enslaved other black Africans. Plenty of white Europeans enslaved other white Europeans. Plenty of American Indians enslaved other American Indians.

[David19]

I think slavery happens anywhere, where there are people with better weapons, technology than someone else, i'm not sure if i have any slaves, but since my grandma's Jewish, then probably thousands of years ago, my ancestors were slaves in Egypt. As for masters, i have no idea.

I think slavery is something that should be left in the past, as maybe then, people thought they were better than everyone (just becaue they were white, or whatever) but i'm hoping no one feels that way now (excluding the KKK and neo-nazis).

[Laisrean]

Because I'm part Irish and part German, my ancestors may well have been slaves to the British and/or the Romans. If you go back in time far enough everyone probably has ancestors who were slaves and/or masters.

[stella01904]

How do you feel about Slavery ?
In general ? Agree with any points ?
WHAT! F*** NO!

Where would we be today if it had not happened ?I guess the Native Americans would have had less land stolen since the hypocritical whites of the period might have had to (shudder) work it themselves or pay someone...
Have any ancestors who were slaves, masters, or who helped free slaves ?I haven't heard anything but if I found out any of my ancestors owned or traded in slaves I would renounce their blood. F*** 'em.
BB, Stella

[stella01904]

Because I'm part Irish and part German, my ancestors may well have been slaves to the British and/or the Romans. If you go back in time far enough everyone probably has ancestors who were slaves and/or masters.MM ~ Good point!
I was taking this thread in the context of US slavery, though.

I've got a line that's been here in the US since the 1600's (Waterhouse) - this makes me a big mutt. I've got English, Irish, Scot, French, Dutch, Native American, German, Lithuanian...need I go on? :lol: And probably a big woodpile to go with it. I don't know who all was good or bad in those days but as I said already, I renounce the blood of the a-holes. Peacefully, if they were "good" slaveowners (I understand that the rules were stupid in those times), but much more vehemently if they weren't.
BB, Stella

[misschief]

i have ancestors on both sides, and i'm not proud to say i am related to slave masters, while i am also related to slaves. i don't think all slaves were treated as poorly as most believe, but there were those who were treated even worse than we know. the whole mess of it is really sickening... but, had it never happened, we probably wouldn't have the level of understanding in america that we have today.

[omar]

I am a Euroamerican,or Heinz 57 mutt. My people landed in Virginia in 1691. They owned slaves from 1700-1860. Some of those freed slaves took the famley name as there own. This name that ex-slaves take tells you how well they were treeted by there slave masters. If well treated they used the masters last name, if not they took names of people they admired. like Washington, Jefferson & Lincoln.

[woodlandfairy]

[QUOTE=Laisrean] Because I'm part Irish and part German (Wow what a trip, I am also. Sorry to be off topic!)

[stella01904]

I am a Euroamerican,or Heinz 57 mutt. My people landed in Virginia in 1691. They owned slaves from 1700-1860.MM ~ Mine came to Virginia during the reign of Charles II. Maybe they greeted yours! I'm not sure they were still there, though. They've been drifting southwest every other generation or so for the last 350 years or so. My grandparents came from the Ozarks. "Hill Folks" weren't real big on slavery (a few of them even got mad and left to fight for the Union, no altruistic reason, they just didn't like the idea of being drafted into a war just because rich people wanted slaves.)
Some of those freed slaves took the famley name as there own. This name that ex-slaves take tells you how well they were treeted by there slave masters. If well treated they used the masters last name, if not they took names of people they admired. like Washington, Jefferson & Lincoln.That is INTERESTING - and something I didn't know! Valuable nugget of information! Thank you!
BB, Stella

[maeli]

The US would not be anything like it is today because of slavery. America was built for free. I am sure I have had people in my family enslave people since my ancestors signed the mayflower comact so they were here since the beginning. I do believe though that I should not pay for it by the way of being accuesd or blamed for what happened since I am white. I also do not beleive in reparations. Thats just my thoughts.

[Valnorran]

I am a Euroamerican,or Heinz 57 mutt. My people landed in Virginia in 1691. They owned slaves from 1700-1860. Some of those freed slaves took the famley name as there own. This name that ex-slaves take tells you how well they were treeted by there slave masters. If well treated they used the masters last name, if not they took names of people they admired. like Washington, Jefferson & Lincoln.
My great-great grandmother taught their slaves to read, which was in violation of the law. After the Civil War, one of her slaves, Harry Mahoney, became one of the first black men elected to the Louisiana legislature.

[stella01904]

MM ~ That's cool, Val! Great story.

Just for the record, I DO think reparations are in order (ducks blows), I'm just not sure what would be the best way of going about it. How do you quantify something like that?
BB, Stella

[Dawa Lhamo]

Well, none of my ancestors took part in US slavery, all having arrived here post Civil War. But probably somewhere back there at least *someone* was a slave or kept slaves. I honestly don't know the history of slavery in old Germany and Scandinavia...

My cultural ancestors (as in those who lived in the small town that I grew up in) were Union supporters. Confederates used to come in and raid the town for supplies. Local legend tells that the Underground Railroad was alive and well in the area, and that there is a secret passage to the river (to catch the ferry into Illinois, a free state)... though for all my searching, I've never found that secret passage. ^_^

I'm curious if *anyone* here would agree with slavery.

I dunno, with all this debt, I feel like indentured servitude might come back in vogue, though.

I'd like to think we're more enlightened and have learned from the mistakes of those who have gone before us, but history has shown that people rarely learn from history... :(

Tashi delek!
Dawa Lhamo

[Laisrean]

MM ~ That's cool, Val! Great story.

Just for the record, I DO think reparations are in order (ducks blows), I'm just not sure what would be the best way of going about it. How do you quantify something like that?
BB, Stella

You don't because anyone who had anything whatsoever to do with slavery is long dead. If there was ever a time to do it it was immediately after the civil war, but it is too late now.

Should me ancestors receive reparations from Italy for the possibility my Germanic ancestors were slaves to the Roman empire? Where does it end?

[wolf]

[b]I haven't heard anything but if I found out any of my ancestors owned or traded in slaves I would renounce their blood.

That statement is extraordinarily sad.

If you deny something about your ancestors you dislike, you deny anything good that may have come from them, and you deny yourself.

[stella01904]

That statement is extraordinarily sad.

If you deny something about your ancestors you dislike, you deny anything good that may have come from them, and you deny yourself.MM ~ When Chivington and his troops massacred and mutilated the women, children and old people at Sand Creek, the Bent brothers renounced their white blood.

I would have no problem whatsoever doing the same thing over any ancestor trafficing in humans, beating, raping, hanging, working them to death, selling their children, etc. I don't need any "good" or favors from someone like that.
BB, Stella

[stella01904]

You don't because anyone who had anything whatsoever to do with slavery is long dead. If there was ever a time to do it it was immediately after the civil war, but it is too late now.MM ~ You mean you don't think remorse is in order? "Oh, everybody died already so it's okay, let's just forget it"? You don't find it mortifying?

Should me ancestors receive reparations from Italy for the possibility my Germanic ancestors were slaves to the Roman empire? Where does it end?
There are old people still living who remember people who were alive in the times of slavery. Many ex-slaves were still living in the 1930's. It is not ancient. Plus the fact that civil rights didn't even begin to kick in until the 1960's. We've treated black people like utter crap in this country for many, many years. Yeah, reparations might BEGIN to fix things.
BB, Stella

[Dawa Lhamo]

MM ~ You mean you don't think remorse is in order? "Oh, everybody died already so it's okay, let's just forget it"? You don't find it mortifying?
There are old people still living who remember people who were alive in the times of slavery. Many ex-slaves were still living in the 1930's. It is not ancient. Plus the fact that civil rights didn't even begin to kick in until the 1960's. We've treated black people like utter crap in this country for many, many years. Yeah, reparations might BEGIN to fix things.
BB, Stella I don't think he meant reparations or remorse was something you don't do.... you said "how do you quantify that?" and he said "you don't" .... because you can't quantify someone's suffering.

... and you know, some people see monetary reparations as insulting. As if money can make up for horrid treatment. As if a slave master can just toss a few pennies and think that he's in the green. --- I've been in diversity training, and the African Americans that I spoke to there said quite clearly that they don't want white people to wallow in guilt, they want them to be aware of the past, be aware of injustice in the present, and to strive to better things now and for the future.

IMO, sin isn't something that's passed on to the children. Karma cannot be transferred. I owe it to my fellow human beings to treat them with respect, and to make up for wrongs that I have done to them.

But I don't think it's necessarily right for me to pay money to the grandchildren of black slaves simply because I am white? Neither of those were even my ancestors.

If we go that route, then surely we should make reparations to the Irish for treating them as less than slaves (in point of fact, in dangerous construction jobs, such as blasting for the RR, the Irish were sent in to do the work "he's just a Paddy" instead of the blacks, because "slaves cost money, whereas Paddies are free")...

How far back do we go? Everyone in this room, everyone in this country has SOME ancestor who was a slave or a slave master.

Yes, we should recognize the wrongs and seek to eliminate all remnants of wrong still being committed, but I believe that every child is NOT born with the sins of his fathers... he merely has to live his life the best that he can.

I feel very sad at the horrid things my ancestors and those I claim as "cultural ancestors" have done in the past... but my job isn't to sit around and feel guilty or "make up" for those wrongs with monetary pittance... My job is to do my damndest to make sure that nothing like that happens again, to fix my own prejudices, to teach my children to love, honor, and respect every human being....

That's how I see it, anyway...

Tashi delek!
Dawa Lhamo

[stella01904]

... and you know, some people see monetary reparations as insulting. As if money can make up for horrid treatment. As if a slave master can just toss a few pennies and think that he's in the green. --- I've been in diversity training, and the African Americans that I spoke to there said quite clearly that they don't want white people to wallow in guilt, they want them to be aware of the past, be aware of injustice in the present, and to strive to better things now and for the future.MM ~ You make a good point. But I still think reparations would be a good symbolic act, and a good start. Not a fix. I agree, no amount of money can make something like that okay.

IMO, sin isn't something that's passed on to the children. Karma cannot be transferred. I owe it to my fellow human beings to treat them with respect, and to make up for wrongs that I have done to them.
This is where we differ. I believe in family karma, and in race karma.

But I don't think it's necessarily right for me to pay money to the grandchildren of black slaves simply because I am white? Neither of those were even my ancestors. I would much rather see my tax dollars go towards this, or ANYTHING constructive, than towards the insane things they are going for nowadays.

If we go that route, then surely we should make reparations to the Irish for treating them as less than slaves (in point of fact, in dangerous construction jobs, such as blasting for the RR, the Irish were sent in to do the work "he's just a Paddy" instead of the blacks, because "slaves cost money, whereas Paddies are free")... Maybe so. Why not reparations to the Irish? I also think the US should honor the treaties that THEY made with the Native Americans. The powers that be have shown no sign of taking responsibilty for their actions, and until they do, I sincerely believe that things will continue to go badly here.

How far back do we go? Everyone in this room, everyone in this country has SOME ancestor who was a slave or a slave master. As far back as we can. As much as we are able to do.

Yes, we should recognize the wrongs and seek to eliminate all remnants of wrong still being committed, but I believe that every child is NOT born with the sins of his fathers... he merely has to live his life the best that he can. Something I find very strange is that the "sins of the fathers" concept is not only Biblical, but Lakota. When two such utterly differing religions come up with the same thing, I think one does well not to completely ignore it.
That's how I see it, anyway...And you have made some very good points!
BB, Stella

[Valnorran]

MM ~ You mean you don't think remorse is in order? "Oh, everybody died already so it's okay, let's just forget it"? You don't find it mortifying?
Why should I feel remorse for something I'm not guilty of?

There are old people still living who remember people who were alive in the times of slavery. Many ex-slaves were still living in the 1930's. It is not ancient. Plus the fact that civil rights didn't even begin to kick in until the 1960's. We've treated black people like utter crap in this country for many, many years.
What do you mean "we"? I never put anybody in chains or denied anyone any rights or kicked anyone off their land. I haven't burned any crosses, nor have I threatened people. Why should I pay for crimes committed by others? Why should I be punished for something I didn't do?

[Dawa Lhamo]

Something I find very strange is that the "sins of the fathers" concept is not only Biblical, but Lakota. When two such utterly differing religions come up with the same thing, I think one does well not to completely ignore it. lol... many very different religions have practiced human sacrifice, too. Just saying that because many people believe something doesn't make it objectively true.

I don't ignore the fact that some people believe that sin or whatever passes down through blood. I also don't ignore the fact that some people believe that each person's sin is his own. But having studied many religions, I've come to my own conclusions... My background is both Wiccan and Buddhist. The Buddhists (at least the philosophical ones... popular Buddhism strays a bit from this at times) and the Jains think that karma cannot be transferred. To say otherwise is to change karma from a natural cause and effect to something that is overseen by a Supreme Deity. It becomes not the consequences of one's own actions, but is reified into punishments and rewards... Transferrable karma implies that karma can be taken away (such as by the grace of a deity).... And that just doesn't sit well with me. ^_^

But we're just coming at this from two different directions. Of course we'll disagree. ^_^

Still, though, given that there are differing views, I don't think you're going to successfully make governmental policy with a theological point such as this.

And indeed, thousands upon thousands of European immigrants came in after slavery was abolished. They don't have the "genetic sin" carried along with them for this particular evil, so one can well argue that *they* shouldn't have to make up for the sins of other white people simply because they're white. ^_^

A better argument, I think, would be to argue about what the *government* did in the slave trade... because though there are new legislators, new judges, new executive officers, it's the same government.

^_^

Tashi delek!
Dawa Lhamo

[stella01904]

Transferrable karma implies that karma can be taken away (such as by the grace of a deity).... And that just doesn't sit well with me. ^_^MM ~ Hmmm, I was under the impression that Tara can take away, or at least minimize, negative karma...IF one gains her favor by a vow of compassion, and doing her practice......

But we're just coming at this from two different directions. Of course we'll disagree. ^_^:lol:

A better argument, I think, would be to argue about what the *government* did in the slave trade... because though there are new legislators, new judges, new executive officers, it's the same government.
Ohh, excellent! I like that!

[Laisrean]

Isn't affirmitive action a form of reparations anyway? How far should this go? Should all whites be impoverished so that blacks (many of whom are middle-class or better) can be a little wealthier?

What about people like Dawa Lhamo who have had relatives come to this country after slavery? Why should she and others pay when their ancestors weren't even responsible? Indeed, I wager most whites in this country did NOT own slaves. It was only prominent in the south, and even there not everyone owned slaves. Give me a break...

Should Bi-racial people get something? Should they be forced to pay the reparations? What about descendants of blacks who owned slaves? What happens when the next generation comes along and demands their check? Where does it end?

Reverse racism is still racism.

[Valnorran]

It was only prominent in the south, and even there not everyone owned slaves.
Yep. Only something like 20% of the population, and even the majority of those weren't large plantations.

[WokeUpDead]

Yep. Only something like 20% of the population, and even the majority of those weren't large plantations.
Mostly because the other 80% couldn't afford them. Most slave owners didn't have plantations but most slaves lived on the plantations, which is where life really sucked.

[wolf]

That is not unilaterally true.

Life on a plantation may have been harsh at times, but a slave represented a significant financial investment ... and it was not cost effective to mistreat or starve them. Yes, bad stuff happened. Women were raped, men and women whipped and beaten, but in most instances this was not the daily occurance that the reparations people (and Alex Haley's Roots version of slavery) would like you to believe.

[WokeUpDead]

The bigger plantations that had hundreds of slaves could afford to beat the crap out of them to make an example and prove a point. The smaller ones that only had 10-20 slaves or less had to treat them better because hurting one so bad that he can't work would be a pretty big portion of the work force.

[Vincent Verthaine]

The only true form of reperations is to insure that shit like that never happens again.
Recognizing that not every black person is not a thug or a gangsta would be nice also.

Realize that racism is still a problem for everyone to deal with.Check out the the Yahoo news forums somtime.
You'd swear you were in a Aryan Nation rally.

My people could stop letting BET,the record companies,advertising agencies,gansta rappers,and christian/NOI preachers stop telling us how to be black.And let us discover it for ourselves.

Realize that plenty of discrimination still exists.

I had to let my wife deal with the realtors and pick our home without me being there (she lied and said I was away on business),because when first tried to buy our home together(she's white),they kept trying to show us houses in BLACK neighborhoods.
I didn't want to live in the HOOD.
I grew up in the Hood.
I worked long and hard just so I can live in a nice blue collar neighborhood and not live in the hood.

When my wife did it,they automatically showed her a number of homes in our price range,in the very section of town we currently live in.

Realize that the reason my people are are still struggling is because they are still being brainwashed into believing they are still ******s by people who profit from it,white and black.

That includes the ones I listed above,which are:BET,the record companies,advertising agencies,gansta rappers,christian/NOI preachers and including clothing companies,hip hop magazines,big media corperations(what,you thought BET is Black own,puhlease,BET is owned by Viacom),and big tabacco/alcohol companies(you should see their advertising budget that is just is just targeted to black consumers,its obscene.

Recognize that there is still plenty of job discrimination.
Before I returned to my pre-Katrina resturant,I applied for positions as a line chef in some pretty fancy resturants here in town (the one I work at is pretty pricey itself,but it is more casual fine dining).

I have tons of experiance,and a culinary degree from N.O.C.I.

I worked in a number of pretty popular resturants in the quarter,and I handle the line like the profesional I am.
In spite of the desperate need for line chefs post katrina ,
(this was in Dec.)
one wanted to start me out as a fry cook,another wanted me to be a prep cook(I didn't get a degree just to go back to peeling potatoes),and another wanted me to be a dishwasher (ohh, hell no!).
In one of those places,( the fry cook one),their headchef used to work with me,and let me tell you,he's not (but he is screwing the owner) that great of a cook
(he was the one who told me the real reason why they didn't put me on line,which is the same reason a lot of resurants don't put black people on sauteee in N'Awlins).
I continued working construction instead.The money was better anyway.Then my old boss called me back whe his insurance hassles were settled.

I gave up on ever getting my 40 acres and a mule that was promised my family along time ago.I'd just settle for some respect due to any working class blue collar joe trying to survive and provide for his family.

Its funny,Valorran'd ancestors owned slaved in Louisiana,my ancestors were slaves in Louisiana(near Bogalusa).
But you know what,I don't hold that against him.
We may disagree about a lot of things.But ancestry and what happened in the past has nothing to do with it.

[wolf]

Recognizing that not every black person is not a thug or a gangsta would be nice also.

Only if black leaders admit that some are ... fair is fair.

[Vincent Verthaine]

Only if black leaders admit that some are ... fair is fair.

What black leaders.
The only 2 that ever mattered in the last 40 years were assassinated by the Forces of "Doom" and "Dumb".

And many prominent blacks have admitted that,and have spoken out.

Bill Cosby,Oprah Winfrey,Odama Baraka,Andrew Young,Shirley Chisholm,Iman W.Deem Muhammed(Elijah Muhammeds son,who left the NOI before Malcom X did).Betty Shabazz,Rosa Parks,Corretta Scot King,KRS-1,Chuck D.Questlove,Vincent Sebastian Verthaine etc.

The shucking and jiving "leaders",gangsta rappers and preachers you are shown on tv all the time ,do not serve the interests of black america.They serve Graud Greyface and the Forces of "Dumb" and "Doom".

[Valnorran]

The bigger plantations that had hundreds of slaves could afford to beat the crap out of them to make an example and prove a point. The smaller ones that only had 10-20 slaves or less had to treat them better because hurting one so bad that he can't work would be a pretty big portion of the work force.
Very, very few (if any) had "hundreds of slaves."

[wolf]

I think some people see slavery as an analog of factory farming today. Hey, wasn't that PETA's ad campaign last year?

[stella01904]

Isn't affirmitive action a form of reparations anyway? How far should this go? Should all whites be impoverished so that blacks (many of whom are middle-class or better) can be a little wealthier?MM ~ There is enough money in this country that NO ONE should be impoverished.

I read once about how the Dalai Lama came to the US for the first time and was shocked to see homeless people sitting on the sidewalk. This is not India.

What about people like Dawa Lhamo who have had relatives come to this country after slavery? Why should she and others pay when their ancestors weren't even responsible? When you come to a country you become a citizen and part of that country's "family" - just like if you married into a family, you might find yourself in the position of helping them fix past screw-ups.
Should Bi-racial people get something? Should they be forced to pay the reparations? Malcolm X was once questioned about the fact that he was so light. He answered that "It's not my fault my grandmother was raped."

A descendant of a slave is still a descendant, even if that person is light.
BB, Stella

[Laisrean]

MM ~ There is enough money in this country that NO ONE should be impoverished.

Helping the poor is a seperate issue. Why make it race based when there are plenty of whites living in poverty and homelessness as well?


He answered that "It's not my fault my grandmother was raped."

That's a good point. The same argument can be applied towards slavery. It is not the fault of any living person what their great-great-great-grandfather might have done. We are all responsible for our own actions and not those of anyone else.

[wolf]

MM ~ There is enough money in this country that NO ONE should be impoverished.

Absolutely. Everyone has the right to go out there and work for a piece of that particular pie.

They do NOT have a right not to work, and to expect me to to pay taxes to support them.

[Valnorran]

Malcolm X was once questioned about the fact that he was so light. He answered that "It's not my fault my grandmother was raped."
And it's not my fault my great-great grandparents owned slaves. Why should I be held responsible for something that happened three or four generations before I was born?

A descendant of a slave is still a descendant, even if that person is light. BB, Stella
And like I said ealier, if you go back far enough we are all probably descendants of slaves. Skin color has nothing to do with it. Who conquered whom was the determining factor. In some countries, it's still practiced. Owners and slaves are usually the same skin color.

[Dawa Lhamo]

Exactly. Slavery has a long, long, long history beyond the more recent form in the States... Which is why we should listen to Vincent:
The only true form of reperations is to insure that shit like that never happens again.Cheers to that! :cheers:

[Meabh23]

Certainly we should move on and recognize that descendents of slave owners are not the same as slave owners. But we shouldn't be so quick to turn a blind eye of political correctness over it by saying that "all of our ancestors we slaves at one time or another." Do you really agree with this? Okay, so name your ancestors. The point is this: Much wealth was appropriated from slaves' work. Perhaps some of that wealth should be returned or turned over to public projects.

It is a shame to know that America always makes other nations go through accountings of the past (like the Saddam Hussein trial), but we are slow to deal with the lingering effects of our own past...that's if we even recognize it.
Slavery is over (at least in theory and law not by wage) but remembering it is a good way to stop it from becoming justified again. Don't pretend that America's progress will necessarily mean becoming more democratic. It could easily go the other way.

[WokeUpDead]

Very, very few (if any) had "hundreds of slaves."
Just the richest of the rich plantation owners.