It is hard to believe, but good to be reminded, that there still are people who think that slavery benefited the slaves.

The statement that slavery had benefits, as simple as it is, is an excellent way to summarize the mentality that supports the inequality that persists in our society to this day.

There is nothing to learn about picking cotton other than this: “Be a happy slave.”

There are people who may tell themselves that being exploited by the rich and powerful enables them to live the good “family life” and be “better off.”

But, the secret truth is that those who tell themselves this lie do so because they hope to one day join the rich and powerful, and they want to retain the conditions that will enable them to exploit the rest.