Ive just seen a perfect example of why we should study history. It is natural for human beings to bond with one another, even across diametrically opposed lines. Crips have formed alliances with Bloods. Israelis have come together with Palestinians. Theres even the story a jewish woman who had a love affair with the wife of a nazi officer. Were all humans, which is why dehumanization of an enemy must take place before genocide can begin. So what happens when slaves form that human-to-human bond with their captors, and slave owners began to feel guilty over what they were doing to their fellow women and men? How does one ease ones conscience? Dr. Samuel Cartwright came up with the theory of Drapetomania. He classified the desire of black slaves to flee as a mental disorder, one that can only be cured by whipping. Its not that people wanted to be free, its that they were sick people, and you flaying their skin with a whip wasnt cruel, it was for their own good. From Wikipedia: In addition to identifying drapetomania, Cartwright prescribed a remedy. His feeling was that with proper medical advice, strictly followed, this troublesome practice that many Negroes have of running away can be almost entirely prevented.[4] In the case of slaves sulky and dissatisfied without cause – a warning sign of imminent flight – Cartwright prescribed whipping the devil out of them as a preventative measure To the credit of the people of the time he was made fun of by many (Mostly in the North) for this theory. Some pointed out that Irish slaves fled too, so perhaps this disease was contracted from Europeans? Now most of us today would see this as the ludicrous theory that it is, and think that nothing like that could happen today. I bring this up because since the report on the U.S. torture tactics has been released Ive seen at least two different news shows where defenders of torture have tried to justify shoving food into mens anuses with a tube or, rectal feeding or rectal rehydration. literal anal rape during the course of interrogations. What did they say? It was in the best interest of the detainees. They called it a medical procedure. ...and that is why we study history. Because while the slippery slope argument used against gay marriage is not valid, the slippery slope argument when it comes to treatment of human being is. The study of how far weve taken things in the past is the study of how far we might take things in the future. The past is a guide and a warning. If its happened before dont think it cant happen again.
Posted on: Tue, 16 Dec 2014 22:02:18 +0000
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