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HN circa 1813: s/animals/slaves/g This is not meant to defend cruel people, I just want to raise a few points about slave owners. While I have only been to sm
by dribnet 13y ago
HN circa 1813: s/animals/slaves/g
This is not meant to defend cruel people, I just want to raise a few points about slave owners.
While I have only been to small plantations, I have definitely seen what some people would consider slave cruelty. But I think it's important to understand the mentality of people that work with these slaves.
Slaves on plantations are seen as property, not an employee in any way. Most owners and workers of slaves distance themselves from the slaves to keep themselves mentally healthy. When distance yourself from a a slave, you won't be treating it as nicely as you would your hired hand.
Plantation owners see slaves as money, so they won't do anything that could jeopardize being paid (won't damage the product).
When people are disconnected with the slaves they are working with, it is easier for some people not to be so nice to those slaves. This isn't to say that all people working with slaves will be abusive towards them, but it creates an opening for those people that aren't as nice to take their anger out on the slaves.
- ams6110 13y agoSo you are equating human beings with pigs and cows, here?
- nilved 13y agoYes. Or, more properly, equating pigs and cows with human beings. I've yet to see a logical reason not to.
- rvkennedy 13y agoIt's really only an accident of history that there's such a sharp division between humans and other animals in terms of intelligence and advanced culture. If we'd developed technology while there were still intermediate species like Australopithecus and Homo Habilis around, it would have lent greater clarity to the fact that we are just a branch of a varied tree. Choose any random cow or other livestock animal. You and Bessie have at least one common ancestor.