…and other anomalies
Why is it that even the most basic of jails require round-the-clock staff, cameras, locks, bars, special toilets, etc.
If that’s what is required to keep a determined person against their will, then….
Why do most slave plantations barely even have fences?
Why are there so many “anomolies” [1] in the antebellum south?
like American’s first slave holder:
Yesterday I Learned:
— Stephen A. Ridley (@s7ephen) May 23, 2023
The first person to own slaves in the U.S. was….
wait for it…
a Black man!
We have this on the historical record because of a property lawsuit he brought against his neighbor (which he won).
just another "anomaly" I guess. https://t.co/1t33u14UNd pic.twitter.com/7Nm5atDSTG
or who was one of the richest Southerners
Fun Fact:
— Stephen A. Ridley (@s7ephen) July 19, 2023
William Ellison was one of the richest men in the South. He made his fortune with the manufacture (licensing?) and selling of Eli Whitney Cotton Gins.
He was also one of the largest slave owners.
He was also Black.
Another anomaly I guess.🤷🏿https://t.co/Mtofzk6A0o https://t.co/nW93ULvwr1 pic.twitter.com/3xjMBdgGFw
Why (in the heart of the south) was there a place so libertine that it spawned it’s own racial mix, language, art, and music? Why not say…New York? [1]
Why is it that the “Underground Railroad” wasnt as “underground” as we’re taught and largely consisted of keeping a poker-face while traveling on public transportation during the light of day?
Why did Harriet Tubman (a Civil War spy and sharp-shooter btw) say she carried her pistol mostly for run-aways [1] that couldnt keep the necessary poker-face?
Why is it that West Virginia is considered the “hick” and “backward” state but the whole reason West Virginia seceded from Virginia was disagreement about slave ownership with Virginia and Maryland (who both wanted to keep slavery)?
If you pull a single dangling historical thread, you can unravel a LOT of sweaters as you work backwards thru history…
I am regularly amazed how far the thread goes.