Slavery: A debate about Sowell's views on the history of slavery.
Sep 29, 2021
01:05:30
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Quick takeaways
Slavery was a worldwide institution that existed in various forms throughout history, challenging the common belief that it was primarily practiced by Europeans on Africans in the Western Hemisphere.
Western societies, including the United States and Britain, played a crucial role in ending slavery through a moral crusade backed by military force, despite facing resistance from Africans, Arabs, and Asians.
The discussion of slavery today can often be oversimplified, leading to a misunderstanding of the historical context and impacting perceptions of guilt, shame, and responsibility among different racial groups.
Deep dives
Slavery was a global phenomenon throughout history
The podcast explores Thomas Soul's essay on the history of slavery, discussing how slavery was a worldwide institution that existed in various forms throughout history. It challenges the common belief that slavery was primarily practiced by Europeans on Africans in the Western Hemisphere and highlights that slavery was prevalent in many different societies and cultures.
The West played a significant role in ending slavery
The podcast delves into Soul's argument that it was largely Western societies, including the United States and Britain, that played a crucial role in ending slavery. It discusses how the West's moral crusade against slavery, backed by military force, led to the abolition of this institution globally, despite facing resistance from Africans, Arabs, and Asians.
The complexity of the moral dimensions and impact of slavery
The podcast examines Soul's exploration of the moral dimensions of slavery, addressing controversial topics such as the role of race and racism in slavery and the moral dilemma faced by Western leaders in dealing with emancipation. It also explores how the discussion of slavery today can often be oversimplified and lead to a misunderstanding of the historical context, impacting perceptions of guilt, shame, and responsibility among different racial groups.
Slavery and Abolitionist Movements
The podcast explores the history of slavery and its abolition. The host and guest discuss the brutality of slavery worldwide, emphasizing that it was not limited to the United States. They also acknowledge the significant role played by Western countries, particularly Britain and the USA, in ending the practice of slavery. The guest argues that while many white abolitionists were socially and theologically liberal, the religious right did not spearhead the abolitionist movement. Furthermore, the host highlights the contributions of black abolitionists in shaping the movement and achieving emancipation.
Reparations for Slavery
The debate on reparations for slavery is discussed in the podcast. Both the host and guest express moral and philosophical support for reparations to the descendants of slaves. They acknowledge the lasting harm caused by slavery and argue that compensation is appropriate. However, they also recognize the practical challenges and complexities of implementing reparations, including difficulties in tracing slave ancestry and potential conflicts with existing affirmative action policies. They raise concerns about the political feasibility and public support for reparations, as well as the potential implications for other historically marginalized groups seeking reparatory measures.
NEW NEWS THAT'S NEWSWORTHY: Basic Books (Sowell's publisher) is teaming up with The Genius of Thomas Sowell Podcast to offer listeners a chance to win 4 Sowell books. Enter at SowellBooks.com for a chance to win!
In this episode, Alan summarizes Thomas Sowell's essay "The Real History of Slavery" found in his 2005 book "Black Rednecks and White Liberals"
You can listen to the audiobook version of the essay HERE.
Because the subject of slavery is a complex one, we've invited two scholars onto the show to conduct an actual debate as to whether or not Sowell gets it largely correct in his essay.
Wilfred Reilly, our affirmative debater, takes the position that Sowell gets it mostly right. Charles Boyd, his opponent in this debate, takes the position that Sowell gets it mostly wrong.
Wilfred Reilly is an Associate Professor of Political Science at Kentucky State University. He holds a PhD in Political Science from Southern Illinois University and a law degree from the University of Illinois.
Dr. Reilly has so far published two books:
Taboo: 10 Facts you can’t talk about, published in 2020, and
Hate Crime Hoax: How the Left is Selling a Fake Race War, published in 2019.
He is also a co-host of the “Cut the Bull” Podcast, which focuses on culture and current events.
Charles Boyd is Professor of History at Georgia State University. He has written extensively on history and politics, with an emphasis on American slavery, abolitionism and civil rights. His Masters thesis, which he is currently expanding into a book, focuses on abolitionist support for interracial marriage. He is also the host of the “Minority of One” Podcast which focuses on history and politics.
Here's a LIST of all Thomas Sowell books by category.
If you would like to contact the host of the podcast, you can email Alan Wolan at WolanAlan@gmail.com
• Find me on X (Twitter) at @alanwolan • Email me at WolanAlan@gmail.com • Support the show at https://www.patreon.com/SowellGenius • Purchase podcast merch at https://www.etsy.com/shop/GeniusSowell • See all my links at www.alanwolan.com
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