The Washington Post has a long piece about a Virginia family whose current (substantial but not huge) wealth derives from their slaveholding forebears and who may now be greatly enriched by the discovery of uranium under their land. There's an interesting discussion of the arguments for and against reparations
May I suggest that your judgement was a little harsh. Freeing slaves by releasing them to look after themselves is a little like animal rights activists releasing domestic pigs, chickens and cattle into the wild, only to have them become victims of dog attacks or roadkill. I understand that it was common practice in the early 1800's for enterprising citizens of the Northern States to kidnap freed slaves and transport them to states where slavery was in full swing until the end of the Civil War.
Of course, in the 21st Century we find the idea of slavery an anathema, but how sure are you that you have never purchased any item, for sale either here or in foreign countries that has some element of slave or sweated labour attached to it? Outright banning of such products may have unintended consequences for the very workers we seek to liberate. Under those circumstances we might do better to wait until we can do more for them.
May I suggest that your judgement was a little harsh. Freeing slaves by releasing them to look after themselves is a little like animal rights activists releasing domestic pigs, chickens and cattle into the wild, only to have them become victims of dog attacks or roadkill. I understand that it was common practice in the early 1800's for enterprising citizens of the Northern States to kidnap freed slaves and transport them to states where slavery was in full swing until the end of the Civil War.
Of course, in the 21st Century we find the idea of slavery an anathema, but how sure are you that you have never purchased any item, for sale either here or in foreign countries that has some element of slave or sweated labour attached to it? Outright banning of such products may have unintended consequences for the very workers we seek to liberate. Under those circumstances we might do better to wait until we can do more for them.