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Everyone should read this short book, which is a decent compilation of quite a cross-section of ex-slave reminiscences. Some stories are hellish. Some are not. Every slave led a different life. But they were chattel and they were not free, and this was deadly wrong. Sadly, after the war, some suffered far worse when they were free and "worthless" than when they were owned and property but worth five figures.

All in all, I wish I could personally pay them all reparations. However, where they are now is a better place, and G-d has set things right. I am sorry for what happened to them. I am sorry for all people in the world who are denied their G-d-given freedom. [None of the slave stories I have ever read are as horrible as what happened to my family in the Holocaust, but all evil is still evil.]

Black liberals need to focus not on reparations because of what happened to their ancestors but on making the struggles of those ancestors worthwhile. Live; achieve; be moral, good, and strong. Read these stories of your brilliant and hardworking, thoughtful ancestors and live the lives these men and women could not.

When I Was A Slave

But they were chattel

I would suggest reading the Slave Narratives from all the states (also available on Amazon) for an over all pictures of what went on.
Also keep in mind the traditions of the "times".
The Southern Plantation System was based mainly on the English Manor System. The English Manor, like others similar, if not worse, were just pure hell. That's why many fled those countries to come here.

A study of slavery in other comtemporaty cultures along with the narratives can give a balance view of the times.
I am not a racist and agree some very bad things happened, but it was not something you could paint with broad strokes.

Legally, the plantation/manor misses, and other so called "free" women were held captive as well.

I think the problem is this has been used as a form of manipulation for so long, the crime has been blown out of proportion in comparison to that of world history.

During Reconstruction, reparations were demanded repeatedly, and paid in excessive taxes and stolen goods far beyond what should have been expected from a devoured, ravaged people, both black and white.

Most Southerns did not owned slaves, and were fighting for their 10th amendment rights.

I believe the descendants of the slaves have been blessed by this country in ways that far, far repay for the suffering of their ancestors. I believe the fruits and benefits they now enjoy bear witness to this.