Re: Social Engineering (was: Different patriarchy Model)
Gerold Firl (geroldf@sdd.hp.com)
22 Dec 1994 17:21:32 -0800
In article <3dbcdn$cm5@newsbf02.news.aol.com> pioneertom@aol.com (PioneerTom) writes:
>While this has some positive notes I would like to point out that in the
>case of ninteenth century Africa most people discomfited by ending
>slavery, even in the short term, were slaver elites, or those closely
>connected to them.
My knowledge of african history is very spotty, so anyone with better data,
please jump in, but my impression is that the economy of all the west
african coastal states, which were the wealthiest and most powerful in
africa, was built around the capture and export of slaves. When the trade
was abolished, the entire society suffered, not just the elites. In fact, I
would expect that in such circumstances the elites would suffer less than
the commoners, who would be expected to make-up whatever shortfall was
experienced in the lifestyle of the elite.
>In contrast, regarding the effects of the civil rights laws in the 1960's
>one can note that the negative effects did not appear until the first 1964
>law was augmented by far more divisive and coercive laws of the late 60's.
Which laws did you have in mind? Are you thinking of bussing? How did it
affect the black community?
In my mental image, I see black american culture given structure by the
external forces of bigotry directed against it; once these forces
disappeared, or at least significantly diminished, black culture seems to
have fallen apart. The same attitudes which work well under oppressive
conditions may be self-destructive in a free society.
--
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Disclaimer claims dat de claims claimed in dis are de claims of meself,
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=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=---- Gerold Firl @ ..hplabs!hp-sdd!geroldf
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