Abraham Lincoln WTF?

[malthaussen]

124. Slavery does not equal racism

The thing I've found most interesting about this discussion is the apparent assumption that to be opposed to slavery (in the 1860s context) was to be opposed to racism. It's an easy assumption to make, since the slaves in question were also non-white, but I think some of the apparent confusion over Mr Lincoln's attitudes comes from confusion of these two issues.

Put bluntly, one can be strongly opposed to ill-treatment of horses, yet not believe that horses are equal to men. I submit that, in the 1860s context, blacks were seen much in the light of horses. Or if that is too extreme a position for taste, say the same of children: I doubt many of even the greatest Abolitionists saw blacks as much different from children.

It is interesting, and instructive, to keep in mind that the slaves were "freed" as a matter of convenience, not conviction. It might tend to illuminate the fact that politics is a question of expediency, however much it may be wreathed in principled rhetoric.

-- Mal