Way back then, the southerners should have picked their own cotton. Slavery has resulted in unmitigated disasters, one after another after another. And more to come, I guarantee it: when the EBTs stop.
“Southerners” did pick their own cotton, the rich plantation owners were not usually “Southern” born, just land barrons.
But your statement on slavery is correct. Slavery may be something the Karma Police never let us pay back completely.