FREE ESSAY ON SLAVERY IN US

SLAVERY IN US

It is my intent to assess the plight of African Americans at a time when they were slaves.
They were forcibly taken by rich white merchants to a new and strange land called
America. Right from the very start, slavery was a controversial issue and it was argued
with the constant reminder of man's inhumanity to man. This was evidence in movements
such as the abolitionists and in the literature. Books such as Uncle Tom's Cabin by
Harriet Beecher Stowe did much to fuel the controversy of slavery in the United States. 
Slavery was a practice that was favored by the South. In the North, Americans were
involved in industrial things, and had little use for slaves. They could afford to be
more moralistic about the issue of slavery. However, when it came to the plight of land
owners and Americans who lived in the South, they were highly preoccupied with their nice
lifestyle. It is true that even George Washington, and Thomas Jefferson had slaves as did
many of the forefathers of the new country. Its also a fact that many of these
individuals had children with their Black slaves. What this means is that slavery was an
issue of moral dilemma for those Americans who lived in the North and of economics to the
South. 
What was Abraham Lincoln's role in 
this? His experience as a lawyer compelled him to see that there are always two side to
every question, both of which must be fully understood in order to understand either and
that is of greater advantage to an advocate to appreciate the strength than the weakness
of his antagonist's position. No doubt slavery was the most delicate with which Mr.
Lincoln was called upon to deal. 
After the conclusion of the Civil War and the emancipation of the Negroes, Blacks were
essentially on their own. In fact, many chose to stay on the plantation, while others
braved racism, prejudice and all the other disadvantages that go with being a Black man
who has just received his freedom. Many found greater prospects in the North, and
industrial areas. In fact, many Blacks in the 1800's actually amounted to great social
prominence, both in the South and in the North, but in my view, it was really the African
American religious experience which was quintessential in their salvation. Slaves found a
solidarity in religion. It did allow them a chance to feel their spirits. It was the
church that remained in the spotlight as the struggle for freedom not only a dream for
the African American, but also a very realistic hope during the post Civil War period. 
Martin Luther King was a pacifist, and believed in change through peaceful means. The
story of the African American continues to this day. Certainly many strides have been
made, but indeed racism still prevails. Not only amongst whites vs. Blacks, but also
people of other skin color, races, political affiliations, etc. It is my personal opinion
that until we all realize that we are of one spiritual community, that we will never
fully realize a total coming together.