Slavery unrelated to current racial tensions

Dayo Oshilaja’s Sept. 10 column, “Race matters,” on race in America ends by invoking long-gone American slavery. Although I am perfectly happy to have conversations about how race affects one’s life in America, I am quite tired of talking about slavery.

America did not invent slavery and we weren’t the worst slavers in history. Slavery has been practiced by major civilizations of all racial origins throughout history, including African civilizations. Slavery as an institution is completely discredited and nearly wiped out thanks primarily to the white leaders of the formerly dominant British empire. The founders of our country intended from the beginning to abolish slavery and eventually fought a massive civil war precipitated in part by the tension between slave owners and abolitionists.

To say that slavery is this unique American sin that plagues racial minorities even today is simply ludicrous. Vast fortunes have been won and lost since the end of slavery in America by immigrants of many different races.  

Oshilaja needs to recognize that slavery is long gone in this country and does not contribute to the ongoing troubles of African Americans. Mike Jenista Graduate student, Mathematics