[PapaBear3625]

Today's history lesson on the beginning of slavery. One which you won't hear from the major media.

From 1619 to 1655, while there were blacks in Virginia, they came as indentured servants, not slaves. They were to work for 7 years, and then they were free men, able to go out and acquire their own land on the same terms as anyone else.

In Johnson v. Parker (1655), Johnson successfully argued that his Negro servant, John Casor, should be considered his slave for life. From that point on, there was black slavery in Virginia.

The reason why you don't hear very much about this case, is that Anthony Johnson was black. He was one of the first blacks to arrive in Virginia in 1619.

[wastoute]

IIRC the FIRST “slave owner” was a black man and the two “slaves” the court let him own were white. I wonder if The NY Times will comment on that?

[Travis McGee]

[Wonder Warthog]

"The reason why you don't hear very much about this case, is that Anthony Johnson was black. He was one of the first blacks to arrive in Virginia in 1619."

Excellent item. So, "true" black slavery in America was instituted by a black African. That is hilariously ironic (and simultaneously tragic).

[mikelets456]

Thanks for the reminder and ping for later.

[GailA]

btt