Yes, indeed the thing does speak for itself.  Alas, it does MEAN what you seem to think it means.  You are correct about what the WPA narratives SAY.  But then, no one disputes the facts.  What is under dispute is what larger claim we can advance that this particular fact might support.  

So let's stipulated that some former slaves, remembering slavery, recalled it in nostalgic, positive terms.

So what?  What larger inferences do you draw from the fact that some elderly people had positive memories of their childhoods (as slaves)?

Just what are you arguing for, anyway?  What's your point?

---- Original message ----
>Date: Thu, 14 Jun 2007 21:52:02 EDT
>From: [log in to unmask]  
>Subject: Re: Slavery and Unanswered Questions  
>To: [log in to unmask]
>
>With regard to the WPA slave narratives, my final point is Res Ipsa  Loquitur.
>
>
>
>************************************** See what's free at http://www.aol.com.
Kevin R. Hardwick, Ph.D.
Department of History
James Madison University