a reply to:
IgnoranceIsntBlisss
have you ever looked into your family history? I was lucky enough to have a grandmother that was a great story teller when it came to my ancestors.
yes, I am white... no, I have nothing to be guilty about, or maybe I do... it depends on just what time in history you are talking about and what
ancestor.
first, my ancestors came to this country as indentured servants... many of those among us that have roots here dating back to colonial times have
this in their family history. well, my ancestors stood with those black american slaves of the time and revolted against the masters when the
treatment got to harsh... and that treatment didn't really have any perception of color. so, well, why should I be guilty of the slavery bit, it's
in my history also? probably somewhere in yours also? if not in america than elsewhere?
and to top it off, another of my ancestors fought in the civil war, he was one of my favorite stories really. ya see, he was shot in the forehead,
and he survived somehow, although he didn't enjoy a painless life after that. and while some my contest this, history books tell me that one of the
reasons he fought in that war was to free those slaves of his time.
another was part of the underground railroad, while even another was a member of the kkk...
I am part german, those indentured servants were refugees from germany... so, while japanese and german immigrants were being placed in detention
camps here in the state (I know, we only hear of the japanese, but like the german camps, more groups were rounded up)... my father was off fighting
the war...
I love history, it shows us where we've been, what we as a society once were. what we've gone through to be what we are.
I am sorry if some feel any guilt from the past. I mean, wouldn't it be better if we just viewed it with an appreciation for the advances we have
made as a society with maybe just a tad bit of determination that we should never revert back to that way of life??