World of difference between slaves, poor immigrants
Congratulations to Janet Jones and Jacqueline L. Roby for the fine articles that they wrote in response to Mary Susanj’s Aug. 2 letter. I, too, read her letter about the hardships that the poor immigrants suffered when they came to this country. Her statement as to how they had no money, and could not speak the language may have some fragments of truth to them. The difference was that, for the most part, they usually had their freedom and relatives or sponsoring groups who helped to get them started in this country. Did you ever stop to think that the poor blacks, who were brought to this country against their will, couldn’t speak the language either? They, unlike immigrants, (you see, there is a difference) had no choice in coming to this country. They weren’t standing around in their native country saying, “I think that I’ll go to America to establish a better life for my family.” No, they were a proud people who were captured in their country and sold to slave merchants. Some of these individuals even jumped overboard and drowned rather than remain captives.
The poor immigrants that you refer to generally came of their own accord and of their own free will. They chose to come to a strange land. At least they were free with the opportunity to better their situation. The black families were brought here in chains, sold at public auction, stripped naked to see how strong and muscular they were, humiliated, beat and separated from their families. Some never saw their husbands or wives or children again. You see, one of the things that the immigrants were able to do was to have a family to rely on. Those who were brought here as slaves could not have a family. Why? Well the one thing that most people will fight for, stand up for, and yes, die for is their family.
I am also confused as to the plush houses that she referred to. Those who were brought here as slaves lived in little more than shacks. They may have slept on floors, dirt floors. In most instances, many people lived in the same “house.”
Someone who did not want to tell the real story must have written the history lessons in your school. In none of the history books that I have read does it tell of slaves who were given small portions of land and money. Yes, some raised a few vegetables near their shacks so that those who were the field hands could eat.
You say that your poor immigrant grandparents were promised nothing except a job in the hot mills and mines, and they never complained or asked for a handout. That is worlds beyond what the blacks were promised. At least your grandparents were promised a job. I am sure you would not even remotely refer to slavery as a job that the slaves chose. Additionally, the immigrants got paid. Granted, not much, because the coal barons and the steel magnates did not pay much. They made the money, as bad as they had it; the immigrants still had their freedom.
Primarily, all they had to do was to change their name (which a lot of the immigrants did), learn the language, and become a citizen, and you were entitled to all of the rights and privileges that went with it.
The descendents of slaves had to fight for their rights. This continued even after blacks fought in every war to keep this nation free. They still had to fight the dogs and the water hoses in their struggle to gain their freedom. People might say that black folks have come a long way, and that may be true, but there is still a long way to go. You see, as “equal” as everyone is supposed to be we still have people (after 200 plus years that are not “color blind.”
Yes, your poor grandparents had it hard. They gave up a lot to come here, but they had the choice, they had their freedom, and they even had the choice to go back to their native country if they wished. (You, I am sure, are aware that some did.)
Poor slaves had no choice. They had no freedom. As a matter of fact, they were not even considered as human beings. Check the history books. Census books listed slaves as property. (Also, they were also only counted as two-thirds of a person.) If you would read the real history of this country, including the so-called “black history,” you would realize that the slaves and their dependents were responsible for helping to develop this country to the position that it is, just as much, if not more, than any group of individuals.
The problem is that we as a society are too willing to generalize and place all characteristics of any one group on all members of the same group. All black folks are not looking for a handout, nor are we all living in the past. Just look at Sojourner Truth, Colin Powell, and Condoleezza Rice. Take time to look at the good that people are doing.
You will find that the majority of people are really achieving and trying to better themselves. As I said, don’t generalize, you might find that there are far fewer folks looking for a handout than you realize.
Arabelle Lancaster is a resident of Hiller.