>If you were black you would be outraged at these oversimplified justifications.<

I don't need to be black to be outraged by slavery. Slavery is, and has always been, a vile practice. But let's not forget that slavery has been practiced by, and on, almost every society in human history. It is not a racial thing; it was most often practiced on defeated enemies. The Romans had Greek, German and English slaves. Africans came very late to the slavery game. The very word "slave" comes from the Slavic peoples because they were so often used as slaves throughout history. Slavery is still practiced in parts of Asia and Africa. American slaves were not treated particularly poorly (nor well) by the standards of slaves throughout history.

I am not expecting special treatment just because my Slavic ancestors were oppressed by the Germans or Romans. I'm waiting for my reparations checks from the German and Italian governments. Also, my British ancestors were abused by Norsemen, so I'm waiting for an apology and a new Saab sedan from Sweden. And my Irish forebears were mistreated by British (Less than a century ago!), Americans ("No Irish need Apply"), and also Danes during the Middle Ages, so where's the dough? C'mon, fork it over, I'm a victim.

No people has a monopoly on atrocities committed against them. If we can't move beyond these, humanity will never live in peace.