How people are treated is crucial. The Haitian American known as Pierre Toussaint was born into slavery. Treated well, he was educated and trained for household work. Brought to New York, Toussaint prospered in freedom as a hairdresser and became the de facto founder of Catholic Charities. He was declared Venerable by the Catholic Church for his kindness and many acts of charity, which extended to the impoverished French family who had once owned him. Toussaint is now buried under the altar of St. Peters, a distinction otherwise reserved for bishops and cardinals.
I want to thank everyone who added greatly to this discussion— it’s classic FR!
Often wish I had paid more attention to history classes in school; but in adulthood, we have FR’s scholars, researchers and interested readers to shed light.