• Flying Squid@lemmy.world
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    10 months ago

    I’m not sure how quoting a man saying ‘A black man in a free State is worth just two-fifths more than a black man in a slave State,’ proves that the 3/5ths compromise is not racist.

    • doctordevice@lemm.ee
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      10 months ago

      Because it’s not the clause that invokes racism, it’s the practice of slavery. The clause, as Douglass points out, promotes freedom.

      • Flying Squid@lemmy.world
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        10 months ago

        He also points out it’s about black people. Why are you ignoring that part when you quoted it?

        • doctordevice@lemm.ee
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          10 months ago

          I’m not. I’m objecting to your saying the clause was racist when its very purpose was anti-slavery. Slavery is the thing that is racist.

          I think a Civil War era leader on abolitionism and civil rights would know what he’s talking about when he describes the clause as supporting his cause.

            • doctordevice@lemm.ee
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              10 months ago

              I think you should read it again. He’s saying even taking the worst possible interpretation, the clause promotes freedom for slaves.