At this point, I have to question whether you have read any of the enslaved people's narratives. In them, there are villains and good people across ethnic backg

At this point, I have to question whether you have read any of the enslaved people's narratives. In them, there are villains and good people across ethnic backgrounds. If you think these narratives are primarily about race/ethnicity, you are incorrect. I contend that American slavery isn't as much about black and white people per se, as it is about human depravity, which we see across societies and cultures. American slavery is a context in which we can see the highs and lows of humanity. There is much we can learn about people from these narratives--if they are reported fully. The notion that we should focus on narratives which don't include the horrors of slavery--or that they should be minimized--is just silly. Narratives are the stories of enslaved people and the horrors they lived with are part of their experiences. You prefer to gloss over the horrors they experienced and instead seek to romanticize the institution. Ugh. Ma Bett (Elizabeth Freeman) came up with the idea to sue for her freedom and hired that lawyer who spoke for her. Further, by taking the matter to court, she was not hoping to rely on ethical arguments for her freedom, she was referencing the State Constitution. This is a far cry from approaching the Quakers and seeking help on moral or religious grounds. Your initial comment seemed to suggest that blacks were not the primary impetus behind their freedom. This narrative (and many others) directly refute that. Once Ma Bett was freed, she chose to become a servant to that lawyer. It scarcely needs noting that there is a difference between choosing to serve as a domestic and being enslaved.