Stopping illegal immigration would mean that wages would have to rise to a level where Americans would want the jobs currently taken by illegal aliens.
Thomas SowellRead
Blacks were not enslaved because they were black but because they were available. Slavery has existed in the world for thousands of years. Whites enslaved other whites in Europe for centuries before the first black was brought to the Western hemisphere. Asians enslaved Europeans. Asians enslaved other Asians. Africans enslaved other Africans, and indeed even today in North Africa, blacks continue to enslave blacks.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote emphasizes that slavery is a global and historical issue driven by availability rather than race.
In this quote, Thomas Sowell argues that slavery is not a phenomenon that exclusively targets black individuals; rather, it has been a practice throughout history affecting various ethnic groups, driven by economic conditions and the availability of people to be enslaved. The statement challenges the common narrative that ties slavery solely to racial factors and highlights its prevalence across different cultures and times, suggesting that the human propensity to enslave others transcends race.
Themes
SlaveryHistoryRaceOppressionEthnicity
In practice
Example use cases
During a discussion on the historical context of slavery, this quote can illustrate that slavery transcends racial boundaries.
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