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Lots of people are pissed off about the circumstances of their lives. I reject the notion that slavery, especially Southern slavery, has been the worst of all possible human conditions. So, for example, I would much rather have been Thomas Jefferson's slave than to have been a coal miner in West Virginia. (Or these days, to be a fatherless urban "youth") I know it is not politically correct to say so but I believe the conventional revulsion concerning slavery stems from the North needing some sort of moral justification for the war that they perpetrated upon the South.

FTR, I have never lived south of Long Island, NY. I've just learned that all I was taught in high school wasn't all there was to learn.

ML/NJ

I reject the notion that slavery, especially Southern slavery, has been the worst of all possible human conditions. So, for example, I would much rather have been Thomas Jefferson's slave than to have been a coal miner in West Virginia.

Having been born and raised in that part of the country, I know many children and grand children of 'West Virginia coal miners' who went on to great success and happiness in life. The children, grandchildren and even great grandchildren of Jefferson's slaves remained slaves themselves through their lives.

That you say you would choose slavery over freedom suggests that you don't understand either.

I reject the notion that slavery, especially Southern slavery, has been the worst of all possible human conditions.

FTR, I have never lived south of Long Island, NY.

Why would thinking that Southern slavery was not the worst human condition cause you to never live here in the South?

I have never lived in the North but it is not because I reject the notion that Yankees are dysfunctional minions living elbow-to-elbow in ancient tenements and tract homes.

At least the coal miner can choose to leave the profession. People who think slavery wasn’t so bad don’t understand the concept of being the property of another person.

I’ll grant that the plight of slaves in the U.S. wasn’t as bad as in Muslim countries as they weren’t castrated in the U.S.

"I have never lived south of Long Island, NY. I've just learned that all I was taught in high school wasn't all there was to learn."

Some prospective, for what it's worth. Om my mother's side of the family, I was the first one to leave Long Island (N.Y.) in just over 300 (Three Hundred) years. My Great-Great-Great Grand Father was the last Long Islander to change wheat or whatever to flower via Windmill. I believe it was located on route 25 a.k.a. Jericho Turnpike. For those who may be reading this, and or live / visit the area, the remaining ponds (to this day) were HAND DUG, I know this via the family (De Milt, Last name) Bible I got to read once.

So, for example, I would much rather have been Thomas Jefferson's slave than to have been a coal miner in West Virginia. (Or these days, to be a fatherless urban "youth") I know it is not politically correct to say so

Many poor whites had a short, wretched existence until disease, mishap, starvation, bushwacking, or rural justice did them in.

Douglass had to have been aware of this at some level. He alludes to it in his opening chapter when he describes the whites of his area. However, it wasn't his purpose to address the condition of poor whites.

but I believe the conventional revulsion concerning slavery stems from the North needing some sort of moral justification for the war that they perpetrated upon the South.

Keep in mind that large numbers of early-mid 19th century Northerners carried handed down memories of white slavery and indentured servitude.

I reject the notion that slavery, especially Southern slavery, has been the worst of all possible human conditions.

I understand your point and hope others will join. Sometimes we think we know what a word is until we think about it.

DEFINE SLAVERY, help me out here.

What is the first image that comes into your mind when you see or hear it?

But what is the essence of slavery? It is common throughout history and will be here in the future.

From a Biblical perspective, you are slaves of sin, or slaves of God.

ml/nj: "I reject the notion that slavery, especially Southern slavery, has been the worst of all possible human conditions."

Well, of course, slavery is not the "worst of all possible human conditions."
Inmates in Hitler's Auschwitz or Stalin's gulag certainly had it worse than most American slaves, as do, for example ISIS' Christian captives today being beheaded or crucified.
Also, captives of ancient cannibalistic tribes were certainly worse off than America's African slaves.

But there is no normal human existence -- none -- which we would classify as "worse than slavery".

ml/nj: "I would much rather have been Thomas Jefferson's slave than to have been a coal miner in West Virginia."

Relative to other occupations, coal-mining was always a well-paid, if dangerous, job, which is why there were always plenty of volunteers to do such work.
Today the average coal-miner makes 2/3 more than average American wages, and Kansas coal miners average $113,000 per year.
Also, the American coal-mining industry (what's left of it) is among the safest in the world.

So there is no comparison -- zero, zip, nada -- between American African slavery and coal mining.

ml/nj: "I know it is not politically correct to say so but I believe the conventional revulsion concerning slavery stems from the North needing some sort of moral justification for the war that they perpetrated upon the South."

But "the North" perpetrated nothing on the South.
Rather, it was the Confederacy which first provoked war many times, then started war (at Fort Sumter), then formally declared war on the United States (May 6, 1861) and sent military aid to pro-Confederates fighting in Union Missouri.
When the Confederacy perpetrated existential threat on the United States it had to be defeated, unconditionally.

Of course, you know all that, because we've had this discussion before, but even when the truth slaps you in the face, you refuse to acknowledge it.
And that is because.... ??