were white people slaves before black people?
484864
All races have had theier periods of slavery. Many American Whites came here as slaves. They were pulled from debter's prisons or came here as endenured servents. Not quite the same as African's who came to America but pretty close. The British until the war of 1812 swiped Americn sailors and impressed them. That is enslaved them forcing them to sail as British sailors.  Some native tribes in America kept slaves. Many native tribes in South America did so. In Aftrica is was and even today continues to be an institution. In the middle east slavery was common until recent times. In Asia it was also common until the last 500 years. However the Japanese reinstituted it heavily during WWII. In Europe Jews, Catholics, Intellectuals, Communists were enslaved and some sent to concentration camps. \n\nSo slavery has a long sordid role in human history. Many feel the pyramids and most other wonders or the world were built primarily with slave labor.
531247
America was only one of a great many countries that had African slaves, and had only a small percentage of all the Africans taken for slavery. Central and South America had more, so did the Muslims. In fact, slavery still exists in Africa.\n\nTruth be told, it was first England, then America that espoused the abolitionist movement. Because every other culture and society on Earth had slavery prior to that time. We fought a civil war over slavery. \n\nSo blaming all your problems on America shows substantial ignorance of history.\n\nAnd human rights is a white anglo concept, anyway. Have a nice day!
446135
Excellent points!  We're always being told that our ancestors enslaved them, but we're never told that our ancestors also fought and died to free them.  It's been 140 years since there was slavery.  There are so many programs to help black people, at the expense of white people.  Its about time black people quit looking for excuses and try to make it like I know they can.  And don't start calling me prejudice cause I aint!
714934
Wow, where to start.  I think the only thing you got right is how destructive we (whites) are.  \nI don't agree that we are the most intelligent or the most beautiful race.  Probably the most pompous though. We certainly spread multitudes of diseases that killed many civilizations while we were spreading our religion.  Usually this was accompanied by a slaughter or two.  The white man's history is stained with the blood of uncounted cultures that we called savage and pagan. But we spread the gospel in the process to whatever was left.\nAs for slavery, we didn't invent it, we just made it famous.  It was going on as far back in history as we can see.  Slaves built the pyramids and the great wall.  Native tribes often captured and enslaved rivals.\nThe best God's believers?  I'm not sure what you mean but God doesn't see you as a certain race or color.  At least we can hope.
545427
Not an American one that's for sure.  Segregation started with slavery a very long time ago in Africa (of all places ... I know ... funny isn't it).  Most people think slavery and segregation started in America.  Goes to show how ignorant (as in not smart on a subject ... not meant to offend any one person, race, religeon, or creed) some people are.\n\nMan, how about those 10 bonus points partner????
722424
White people today cannot say That they are proud to be white because they would be classified as being racist. I hear so many black people saying black power this and black power that and thats fine because over 100 years ago they were slaves but hello this is America and people should have the same right as everyone and to feel safe about saying what they want to say but white people are afraid to say white power without being called racist also. I think that the way Black people were treated when they were slaves was wrong there is no question about that. I just don't see why us white people today should be punished for it. I also don't see why there is a Black College Fund and Not a White College fund or a Hispanic college fund or an Asian College fund and the same thing about Black history month why isn't there a history month for all the races? Don't you think that ain't fair? You people who answered this question are ignorant for automatically calling this person racist for speaking her mind. I think you consider it racist because WHITE POWER AND WHITE PRIDE isn't said much.SO I AM SAYING IT NOW WHITE POWER WHITE PRIDE BE PROUD TO BE WHITE DON'T BE ASHAMED BECAUSE SOCIETY MAKES YOU FEEL LIKE YOU HAVE TO CONSEAL YOUR PRIDE!!!! I hope I helped!
1119791
No,because whites are trying to prove we are more related to apes than they are which this how slavery came about. If they believe that in the past, black intelligence is equal to an ape what do you think they taught their future off springs. Blacks are inferior.
530237
Slavery has been around way before the Americas were found. Egyptians built their pyramids from slave labor. Ignorance is bliss and you are the most blissful person I've seen in a while.
1032343
Many of the slaves that came to America were sold into slavery by other Africans.  Slavery went on long before it was a part of American history, and still goes on today in Third World countries.  \n\nIt goes to show that skin color doesn't matter, that we're all human, and as humans we can be pretty un-evolved and low if we choose to be.  People around the world are greedy and uncompassionate and will do almost anything to each other for money.  \n\nOf course what will stop slavery is when human rights, civil rights and economic power are granted to everyone, and that means men and women equally, and also to all races equally.  Those who are lower on the power scale have to keep fighting for their rights, since power is always taken, never given.  \n\nHope this helps.  Cheers, K (teacher and traveler who has yet to go to Africa but wants to)
698867
Iwas born white .Idon't think iowe them anything. Me and my families never had any slaves. They keep throwing it up to us like it happened yesterday.
376509
maybe.  I don't think that whitey existed back then, so they were probably either black or brown!
414543
By the people is a lie.  The preamble to the US Constitution says, "We, the people, hold these truths to be self evident, that all men are created equal.\n\nNice start, but they didn't really mean it.\n\nThere is no written exclusion for Indians, but they were the first race of people where genocide was applied by means of lies and myths.\n\nOf course the African Slaves weren't equal either.  Washington and Jefferson and many other prominent people had slaves and kept them until after the civil war.  The White House was built by slaves.  Since then they have been discriminated against and held down by the establishment.  I am not an African, but their plight is clearly outlined by history.\n\nThe point is, the rich and well born do and have always controlled the common man.  Every nation of the earth reveals the same situation.  This is how it is and this is how it will stay.  Just don't deceive yourselves, "We the people," have nothing at all to do with it.  Voting is a means of deceiving people into thinking they do, so how come there are only 2 parties, and most of their candidates are wealthy.  All of them are controlled by the same big money now as they were then.  Just live with it and keep your eyes open.
559982
Someone have to teach them. Since you really want to know I will tell you from the Blacks perspective. Believe me when I tell you rather you believe it or not, but if we don't tell them about their past will whites? Do you honest believe whites will teach them about the real history. Will whites say that Blacks were slaves and oppress for over 400 years,No. White America will say "African sold other Africans into slavery" White America will blame every single thing America has done against them on everyone in the World, except America(Their people). But have too much pride to say yeah it was our ancestors that kill over 40 million of your people and Lynch tens of thousands. They won't admit they had them mark like cattle, burned alive, shoot at them, sent dogs to bit them, rape them. No, what do they say "if only the Africans did not sell them" as if the Africans knew what was going on over here. They won't say that Blacks had their nationality took and religion, culture, customs and their way of life. They won't admit everything this nation has come from the foundation of slavery. \n\nThat's why we teach our kids this is because whites try to forget it to make 400 year old crime go unpunished. Especially when this nation still like to benefit from the millions that died in vain. I would say most blacks will not even care about it, if America man up to what it did and stop blaming 400 years of oppression on the "African" and todays Blacks. Whites say some blacks are poor because they blame things on whites and are to lazy to work, untrue. As I said Just 40 years ago blacks were marching to end segregation. So in other words most blacks have to start over they did not have nothing because they been rob so long. They do not have college funds for their kids, can't buy their kids cars because they inheritaged 400 years of nothing which in most cases devolops a spirit of poverty. Which is why other group come here and be successful over black because lots of black have a poor man spirit which is hard to break, even hard when they get older. Whites will not say that the poor blacks are not poor because they are lazy but because all their centuries of free labour went into our(Whites) hands. If your white then how many people you know had your parents help you in life, how many went to nice schools, someone to pay for your college, etc. Then compare it to blacks back in the 50's, and see that they had nothing and were trying to vote. Notice the difference, whites never had it as bad, just being white you have spiecal treatment and I'm talking about the 50's.\n\nIt not a reason to keep blacks back, thats what they won't us to think to make all that died for the benefit of America to go in vain. So they can continue to enjoy a 400 advantage.
397621
I dont know if we have acheived more.  Think about the Egyptians.  They were not white.  Think about the Aztecs or the Mayans.  They were not white.  In fact, if you consider the capabilites we have versus the capabilites they had, and then compare the accomlishments, they are heads above us.  And we have not behaved very well in our past.  As humans of conscience, we should be apologetic for out shameful moments.
36964
Difficult to answer; here is one view (2nd link looks like better example):\nThe evolution of slavery is crucial to understanding the importance of currently standing issues. Slavery began in 1440 when Portugal started to trade slaves with West Africa. By the 16th century, Western Europeans developed an organized system of trading slaves. However, the slave trade did not run as smoothly as expected. Slaves were revolting and tried to flee the hardships of labor. Regardless of these attempts, slavery expanded, leading to the "Triangle Trade."   This trade, between Europe, Africa and the Americas, is held responsible for the dispersal of Africans in the Western hemisphere. This organized system lasted until the 1800's. Shortly after the War of Independence there was an intended law to abolish slavery. This law was stalled when the United States allowed the slavery to continue until 1800. A federal law, which was passed in 1793, allowed for the Fugitive Slave Act, which continued the slave trade and prohibited the freedom of the Africans.
95905
the plantation owners or the slaves?
613815
If I remember correctly that is because Europe was the first country to instate slavery and that was from the first European traders when they used to sail to china and stuff.  I am not sure but that is how I believe it all got started.