The Master Norm: On the Question of Redressing Slavery

Abstract

The fact that redress of slavery still is debatable is itself an indicator of that the harm of slavery and segregation still persist in our time. If the legacy of slavery and segregation were a mere historical concern, the debate of redress would not draw such heat and passion on both sides of the argument. Descendents of slavery and segregation would not perceive that there was a need for redress, if racial discrimination was not still a very real and painful experience today. If the legacy of slavery and segregation was still not influencing our society today, the claim for a redress would not meet such blanket rejections, but instead be possible to address, without people feeling threatened by a redress.

Keywords: slavery, segregation, redress, discrimination