Wow, nice topic. I love the way people put the blame tag on America about slavery, but what lot of people forget to mention is that when Africa was being colonized and occupied by European forces, the US of A was the only country in the world to defend an African country which is Liberia, . After the colonization of Africa the only two countries that were non colonized were Ethiopia and Liberia. But nobody gives a rats ***** about that. They pretty much think that US started the whole slave trade.

I don't think that's true. Certainly, the US, compared with Spain and Portugal was relatively benign. I think the vast majority of slaves went to Brazil and many others to various Caribbean islands, but I don't think those facts in any way negate our shameful past, where not only were we late in ending slavery (compared with most other countries), it also took a war to do it. Your point of view is sort of like saying, Look, the Nazis were worse. I don't know what that accomplishes.

As far as Liberia goes, give me a break. That country has a mess of history and was exploited by everyone, including the black Americans who settled there. And, Ethiopia was always largely recognized by the major European powers. The US merely followed suit.

I am talking about after the Emancipation Proclamation. Read little bit of history like “Slavery from the African Point of View”. When majority of the Western countries decided to invade Africa; US were pretty much the only country to defend Liberia. That’s a 100% FACT.

Ethiopia wasn’t recognized by any countries in Europe! They were fortunate to have great diplomats at the time when Western European countries were colonizing Africa. Please read your history before you’re going to post gibberish like that.

Patters where did you get your facts? I would love to know.

Actually, I recently read a large history of Africa (by John Reader), which is the basis for my understanding of slavery. While Lincoln recognized Liberia, Britain did so first. And as far as Liberia goes, the American blacks formed a nation that distinguished between the lighter skinned American blacks and the indigenous people, who had fewer rights. We in effect recognized American blacks who colonized Liberia.

As far as Ethiopia goes, I think it was recognized by European countries early in the last century, but I don't know when the US declared official recognition. At any rate, Ethiopia's history is complex and generally they managed to fend off the European colonialists, but I don't think the US ever helped them do that.

At any rate, I'm not quite sure what you're getting at. I know the US was not a colonizer of Africa, but if you think that the US treated Africa fairly, you've got to be kidding. Even as late as Reagan, the US was backing some awfully bad people.

But, perhaps you misunderstood what I originally wrote. When I said, "I don't think that's true," I meant that I don't think most people think the US was primarily responsible for the African slave trade.

Wikipedia.

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"A theory that explains everything, explains nothing"

RW I hope you're being sarcastic.

Wikipedia is fine, especially for things like Liberian and Ethiopian history. It's weakness occurs with more controversial and current subjects. That said, as I noted in my post, I didn't use Wikipedia at all for my response (but I wouldn't hesitate to do so, provided the Wikipedia article provided sources).

What exactly is the argument here? I think we all agree that slavery then and slavery now is really really bad. Why must we point fingers at who we believe is "worse"?

Long term slavery was good for the slaves and their descendants. That is undeniable. Their descendants, who for some reason think they're entitled to reparations, are now in the U.S. instead of Africa - take your choice.

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