Isn't this a wonderful list? Everyone is allowed to voice their opinon. Keep reading you may learn something. Anita >From: [log in to unmask] >Reply-To: Discussion of research and writing about Virginia history > <[log in to unmask]> >To: [log in to unmask] >Subject: Re: Slavery and Unanswered Questions >Date: Fri, 15 Jun 2007 14:30:58 EDT > >Undoubtedly, slavery was, or should have been, a harrowing experience for >the slaves as their collective experience is generally taught. > >However, we know from the WPA interviews that some looked upon it with >nostalgia later in life under freedom, and some indicated that life was >better >under slavery than under freedom. Some Black slaves and freemen apparently >fought for their "suppressors" during the War. In addition, Black slaves >reproduced in exceedingly large numbers while "under the scourge of >slavery." > >To me, this doesn't add up in the context of Southern slavery being Hell on >earth, as it is traditionally characterized? > >The characterizations that these poor unfortunate Black folk who were >interviewed by WPA workers later in life were >untruthful/delirious/insane/senile/illusory or outright fearful of telling >the truth also doesn't add up. Where >is the support for that theory? > >I think you have to take them at their word, pro and con, unless there is >empirical evidence to rebut their opinions as expressed in many of the WPA >interviews. I haven't heard anything empirical as yet, just speculation in > this >chain. > >J South > > > >************************************** See what's free at >http://www.aol.com. _________________________________________________________________ Hotmail to go? Get your Hotmail, news, sports and much more! http://mobile.msn.com