Jewel:
You are right, they were viewed as real estate. But were they a piece of real estate or human beings? They were viewed as 3/5 of a person or were they a whole person made of flesh and blood like everyone else. To compare being the owner of a house to being the owner of another person is conflicting. A person can be the rightful owner of a house without violating another person. It can be called yours because you have built it from the ground with stones, brick, wood, etc. A human life has more value. As I have stated, as for me my ancestors were "held" against their will. That does not indicate that slavery did not exist but that it was a forced relationship. Tom Blake who is white and who also responded to my post understands very well what time it is. I am glad to know that he has dropped the word "owned" and have been using the word "held". Peace and Blessing....