I agree with Ms. Henderson.  No excuses at all!  Jane Steele.

-----Original Message-----
>From: "Anita L. Henderson" <[log in to unmask]>
>Sent: Feb 20, 2008 10:03 AM
>To: [log in to unmask]
>Subject: Re: [VA-HIST] Slave owner or slave "owner"?
>
>In a message dated 2/19/08 8:37:32 PM, [log in to unmask] writes:
>
>
>> 
>> But so what?  How does this fact in any way reduce the moral culpability of 
>> those English or American persons who purchased slaves?
>> 
>> Slavery is repugnant not just by any arbitrary set of ethical standards, but 
>> rather when judged by the standards of English and American political and 
>> constitutional values, to which I would hope everyone in this conversation is 
>> committed.  The fact that people in Africa, who lived by other standards, 
>> committed (what are in my view) morally reprehensible actions in no way or 
>> fashion lets my ancestors off the hook.  *My* ancestors violated their *own* 
>> standards.  So did everyone who owned slaves who was also a citizen of the United 
>> States of America.
>> 
>> 
>
>Dear Kevin:
>
>There is a danger in condemning the moral culpability of ALL purchasers of 
>slaves in the Americas. What about those family members who purchased their 
>relatives to protect thm and used the system to their advantage?   What about 
>those white "owners"  who purchased   Africans off the dock, immediately freed 
>them and took them to safer places, to clothe, feed, educate and make them 
>productive free members of society?   I met a man at the National Geneaological 
>Society conference whose Vt. ancestor had done just that.   I am always   reminded 
>about what one of my medical professors told me there are no absolutes in 
>Medicine;   never say always, never say never, it keeps you out of trouble ;-)!   
>Excellent discussion!
>
>Anita
>
>
>Anita L. Henderson
>
>
>**************
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>      
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Lillian Jane Steele

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