I Have a Few Questions

[Craig Hipkins]

I believe that racism was just as prevalant in the north as it was in the south (This statement coming from a Massachusetts yankee). The Roxbury riots would be a good example of northern racism. That being said, I will have to side with Rob on this one. If I were given the choice of being an African slave living in South Carolina circa 1830, or a Massachusetts factory worker circa 1830, I wouldn't even bat an eyelash. I agree, that an empty belly would keep most people working in the factories but at least they had the opportunity to advance themselves. An African slave did not have that opportunity. There are plenty of rags to riches stories. My great-great grandfather started out working in a shoe factory in Worcester County, Massachusetts when he was a young boy in the mid to late 1840s. Eventually, he learned the business and struck out on his own. Although he was no Andrew Carnegie or John D. Rockefeller, he was able to purchase his own house and made a comfortable income for himself and his family.

Craig