IGX

Plantation- and race-based chattel slavery is unique to the New World and the last 550 years. England's slavery and abolition isn't remotely applicable in any meaningful way.

Some interesting research and history is going on that ties slavery in the New World to African's genetic predisposition toward malarial immunity or, at least, susceptibility. Maps of malaria and race-based slavery overlay each other perfectly in North and South America. At the end of the day, they could survive and work and no one else could, which means a genetic advantage led to disenfranchisement.

Highly recommend Charles C. Mann's book '1493'.

I'll pick it up right after work!

JohnDoe wrote:Plantation- and race-based chattel slavery is unique to the New World and the last 550 years. England's slavery and abolition isn't remotely applicable in any meaningful way.

Some interesting research and history is going on that ties slavery in the New World to African's genetic predisposition toward malarial immunity or, at least, susceptibility. Maps of malaria and race-based slavery overlay each other perfectly in North and South America. At the end of the day, they could survive and work and no one else could, which means a genetic advantage led to disenfranchisement.

Highly recommend Charles C. Mann's book '1493'.

New world slavery was unique, but then so was every form of slavery. Slavery is very old and is still common (Uzbek cotton, starving refugees marrying off their daughters for cash, Mauritania (where they've barely gotten around to denying slavery is slavery), debt bondage, most prostitution worldwide, etc...). They pretty much all suck.

And the white privilege thing is actually American privilege thing (we were all born on third base)-- take a trip to Albania if you don't believe me.