Rep. Yvette Clarke: The Dutch owned slaves in Brooklyn as recentlyas 1898

[Billybob]

[A Democratic congresswoman from Brooklyn appears to believe that slavery existed in her district until 1898.

Colbert asked Clarke, who is currently serving her third term in the House, what she would say to her district if she could go back to 1898 in a time machine.

“Set me free!” Clarke said.

“From?” Colbert asked.

“Slavery.”

Trying to hold back his laughter, Colbert said he didn’t realize there was slavery in Brooklyn in 1898. “I believe there was,” Clarke responded.

“Sounds like a horrible part of the country, that kept slavery going until 1898,” Colbert said. “Who would be enslaving you?”

“The Dutch,” said Clarke.

“Those sneaky Dutch bastards,” Colbert said, to which Clarke responded “Exactly.”]

http://dailycaller.com/2012/09/05/d...slaves-in-brooklyn-as-recently-as-1898-video/

 

[RickN]

Hate to tell you this, but it is possible. There are many thousands of slaves in the USA today. From forced sex slaves to farm workers to domestic help there are a lot more then most people know or want to know.

 

[Billybob]

[Clarke has lived all her life in the Brooklyn neighborhood of Flatbush. Upon graduating from Edward R. Murrow High School, she earned a scholarship to Oberlin College in Ohio, where she completed most of her education,[1] before transferring to Medgar Evers College for her final semester. She is also a recipient of the "Prestigious APPAH/Sloan Fellowship in Public Policy and Policy Analysis"...]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yvette_Clarke

 

[Billybob]

Hate to tell you this, but it is possible. There are many thousands of slaves in the USA today. From forced sex slaves to farm workers to domestic help there are a lot more then most people know or want to know.

Do you really think that's what she meant?

 

[RickN]

Do you really think that's what she meant?

Probably not, but that does not mean she was not correct. More then likely she was just trying to score some political points with some far lefties but just happened to stumble on something with some truth to it.

 

[GlockCop]

A fine example of whats running our country nowadays.

 

[RickN]

A fine example of whats running our country nowadays.

Yep and it will probably get worse before it gets better.

 

[Wheel Gun]

Politicians and activists often (intentionally) confuse slavery and indentured servitude. The European indentured servitude model only really went away around the time of WWII. History is full of people who would gladly (probably more like reluctantly) sign away their freedom for seven years of service and room/board. This is a far cry from the brutal slavery forced on captured Africans and other indigenous people.

 

[RickN]

Politicians and activists often (intentionally) confuse slavery and indentured servitude. The European indentured servitude model only really went away around the time of WWII. History is full of people who would gladly (probably more like reluctantly) sign away their freedom for seven years of service and room/board. This is a far cry from the brutal slavery forced on captured Africans and other indigenous people.

I think we know that, but even the CIA admits to over 50,000 (going by memory) real slaves in the US. Just a few years ago farm workers were found chained to stakes in FL. Women and children are smuggled into the US for use as sex slaves, and if you are rich enough you can buy your own domestic slave. Latest reports say there are more people in slavery worldwide then any time in history.

 

[mugsy]

I think we know that, but even the CIA admits to over 50,000 (going by memory) real slaves in the US. Just a few years ago farm workers were found chained to stakes in FL. Women and children are smuggled into the US for use as sex slaves, and if you are rich enough you can buy your own domestic slave. Latest reports say there are more people in slavery worldwide then any time in history.

RickN,

Based on what you wrote above would you therefore feel justified in saying "America allows slavery in the 21st century"? I assume not since that would be a gross distortion of the reality.
Likewise, if one is going to say something like "The Dutch had slaves in Brooklyn as late as 1898" - you had best be able to back that up with strong evidence.