Humanity in 300 years?

[Superwoman Prime]

Indentured servitude was often far worse. And plenty of whites were in that position.

"Work until you drop, then work some more. You owe me."

 

[MessiahDecoy123]

Slavery too me is rather dependent on definition. For example, the citizens of North Korea, and some other countries aren't considered slaves, but they have about as many rights as black slaves in the pre-Civil War South, if not fewer.

E.g. in the South, slaves were typically given food.

Indentured servitude was often far worse. And plenty of whites were in that position.

"Work until you drop, then work some more. You owe me."

So did you guys see 12 Years A Slave?

I'm guessing no, if you think North Koreans and indentured servants had it much worse.

 

[Feenix]

Really? You're going to argue about whose slavery was worse? Come on, we know blacks had it rough. They weren't the only ones.

 

[Thundercrack85]

So did you guys see 12 Years A Slave?

I'm guessing no, if you think North Koreans and indentured servants had it much worse.

You really think you're an authority on this because you've watched a popular movie? Did you read Solomon Northup's memoirs? How many slave narratives have you read?

Millions of North Koreans starved to death in our lifetimes. It is not hyperbole to say that many of them have it as bad as slaves in the Antebellum period, if not worse.

 

[MessiahDecoy123]

You really think you're an authority on this because you've watched a popular movie? Did you read Solomon Northup's memoirs? How many slave narratives have you read?

Millions of North Koreans starved to death in our lifetimes. It is not hyperbole to say that many of them have it as bad as slaves in the Antebellum period, if not worse.

Admittedly I haven't read many slave narratives but why doesn't 12 Years A Slave not count for anything?

Historians didn't attack the movie for being an overly harsh depiction of slavery. Why should anyone else?

Starving to death is horrible but there are some fates worse than death. An entire life filled with rapes, whippings, daily humiliation, daily dehumanization, never experiencing a day of freedom, endless back-breaking labor, etc.

 

[MessiahDecoy123]

Really? You're going to argue about whose slavery was worse? Come on, we know blacks had it rough. They weren't the only ones.

I agree that there are numerous fates just as bad as American slavery but to say that American slavery was easier than indentured servitude or the North Korean lifestyle seems like marginalizing what American slavery actually consisted of.

 

[Thundercrack85]

Not enough to act like not seeing it means you don't comprehend how bad slavery is. For the record, yes, I have seen it. I have also read nearly a dozen slave narratives (including the basis for it). Listened to interviews by ex-slaves (yes, there are actual audio recordings by ex-slaves). I have taken college-level courses on the subject, and read various books on the subject.

No one is saying African slaves didn't have it terrible in the South, but that does not mean North Koreans have it any easier.

You should read up on North Korea. Dehumanization, back breaking labor, beatings, never experiencing a day of freedom, etc, are routine for millions. That and starvation.

The average North Korean is now physically stunted due to chronic malnutrition. And they are the lucky ones.

 

[MessiahDecoy123]

Not enough to act like not seeing it means you don't comprehend how bad slavery is. For the record, yes, I have seen it. I have also read nearly a dozen slave narratives (including the basis for it). Listened to interviews by ex-slaves (yes, there are actual audio recordings by ex-slaves). I have taken college-level courses on the subject, and read various books on the subject.

No one is saying African slaves didn't have it terrible in the South, but that does not mean North Koreans have it any easier.

You should read up on North Korea. Dehumanization, back breaking labor, beatings, never experiencing a day of freedom, etc, are routine for millions. That and starvation.

The average North Korean is now physically stunted due to chronic malnutrition. And they are the lucky ones.

Well I'll agree that both American slaves and North Koreans both have had a an extremely hellish existence.

But I'll stop short of calling American slavery the easier burden.

 

[Wildcard]

So recently I have been watching Amerlca The story of us and it has gotten me thinking on how much has changed in 300 years from 1714 to 2014. Lots have changed for the better. I wonder how will life change from 2014 to 2314? Will it be better or worse?

Ideally, I would want humans to have cleaned up their act & for us to be a much more prosperous civilization by that time. All things are possible & I consider myself an optimistic guy so that's the answer I'm sticking with.

 

[Donut]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1-qBUZSGSzg

Every thread needs a little bit of Nicholas Cage

 

[Warhammer]

How about let's just not compare one type of suffering with another? There's no point in even debating it because we don't get to make these judgments.

 

[Teelie]

Sounds like a good idea to me.