I promised a better resolution on this post when I came back so here it is. First, my apologies for locking the thread so quickly and then leaving. I was grabbing a couple of minutes on the computer before taking my girls to school and doing some volunteer jobs - I decided to read my PMs and found several there about this thread. After reading them, I felt I had to do something and couldn't ignore the issue as it stood, but I lacked the time to do it right. I am sorry.

First, I would like to say that the original post by Katie on this thread was a good possible idea for a Felicity book - it was addressing an issue that was very real at the time. I think it would be a good story to explore a bit more about her Grandfather's plantation.

The problem as you can see from the posts that follow is that slavery is a very passionate topic. I think we all agree in today's world, that owning people for any reason is unacceptable. But in the United States at one period in our history (and in other places at other times in history), it was how things were done. We cannot rewrite history and we should not ignore it, but we can learn from it.

That being said, I truly believe there are multiple sides to the slavery stories. There were good owners, bad owners, slaves who were treated well and those who went through unspeakable things. I don't think anyone can make any statements that cover all cases, only a subset. Not much different than most things in life if you think about it.

I really don't want to shut down this thread because history, good and bad, is fascinating and interesting. I feel that the posters all agree on slavery not being acceptable today, but differ on their views of the past. I also think a good debate with facts to support it is just that, a good debate. But I feel this thread is taking on a personal nature for many of those involved (and that feeling is supported by the volume in my PM box) and I think it is in the best interest of our community to end this public debate. This is not the place for this discussion to continue.

Thanks.

Bonnie