[TFine80]

I've always hated this example because the 3/5ths of a man clause was made to WEAKEN the slave states. It gave the free states relatively more political authority. If the slave population was fully counted, the slave states would have had more power to protect slavery.

People just repeat it because it sounds bizarre and racist.

[bvw]

Liars like to serve up lies in fragments. Without the context you gave -- a very simple and good one, btw, thank you -- that 3/5ths a man seems horrible and demeaning. Actually -- it enabled the free and hobbled the slaver. Eventually allowing the free to liberate the slaves.

It was NOT racist either. A white slave was also 3/5th's a person.