Previous Challenge Entry (Level 1 – Beginner)
Topic: The United Kingdom (01/22/09)
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TITLE: Dorian Aston: UK and Slavery | Previous Challenge Entry
By Gilbert Backers
01/29/09 -
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It was a warm, sunny day. Dorian was attending an outdoor luncheon at her church in Los Angeles County. She enjoyed talking with friends and meeting new people. She was currently talking with a friend, Janet, and Carol whom she had just met.
Dorian was 40 years old and 5'7” tall. She had shoulder length, jet black hair with noticeable touches of gray. She wore a blue, pinstriped womens business suit.
“The fact that people in the US fought to keep others enslaved just because of skin color is horrible,” said Dorian. “Abolitionists ended slavery in the British Empire with political maneuvering and no civil war, decades earlier than the US.”
“The Civil War wasn't about slavery, it was about states' rights,” said Carol.
“It was about slavery,” replied Dorian.
“How do you know?” asked Carol. “Have you studied American History?”
“You don't have to be a historian to know basic US history,” said Dorian. “There are a lot of issues in the US, where state governments and the federal government had disagreements. Issues about tariffs, driving laws, child labor laws, the regulation of the medical and legal professions have come and gone without war. The ending of slavery was only decided by a war.”
“Well, that's what blacks would have you think,” said Carol. “They really try to inflict a lot of guilt on white people.”
“Oh, please,” said Dorian. “While getting my PhD at Cambridge, I found out the rest of the world can see how slavery and segregation kept most black people in the US impoverished. How are black people going to create some propaganda machine that convinces white people of things that aren't true?”
“Well,” said Carol, “They can start rumors. Like what about rumors of wealthy white women chasing after younger black men?”
Dorian smiled, raised her hand, showing off her engagement ring, and said, “Guilty.”
There was a pause.
“So Dorian, how's it going with you and Evan?” asked Janet, breaking the silence.
“It's great,” said Dorian. “It's so lovely to be engaged to a man who loves my mind and is not just attracted to my body.”
“Wait,” said Carol. “You're engaged to a man who's not intimidated by how smart you are? Aren't you a mathematician or something?”
“Yes, I am a mathematician. And that's Dr. Aston, thank you,” said Dorian. “Evan attended my research lectures at UCLA on a regular basis. He always came up to tell me how fascinated he was by my work. So I asked him out. He loves my mind.”
“Yeah,” said Janet. “Some men say that but then they still manage to dump you for the 20 year old blond with a small brain and big tits who giggles all the time.”
“He literally turns away those young, giddy undergrads at UCLA and tells them he's in love with an older math professor,” said Dorian. “I've even seen him flash his engagement ring to let them know he's taken.”
“And it works?” asked Janet.
“Well, that and the way I walk up to him and say 'Give you're sugar momma a kiss ', ” said Dorian.
“I take it Evan is black,” said Carol. “So is he the reason you convinced our pastor to create a committee on interracial harmony?”
“Evan's not the sole reason,” replied Dorian. “Our relationship has renewed my interest in interracial harmony. Back when I was studying in Cambridge, I learned a lot about William Wilberforce, a central figure in the British abolition of slavery. The slave trade was abolished in 1807 and slavery completely in 1833.”
“Really?” asked Janet.
“I was fascinating when I learned Wilberforce felt slavery was morally wrong from a Christian viewpoint,” said Dorian, “Yet, here in the US, the most segregated institution is the church. Now, I'm reading a book about William Wilberforce and Thomas Fowell Buxton's role in the complete abolition of slavery in the British Empire. Of course, the rest of the world eventually followed.”
Then Dorian added with a mischievous grin as she played with her engagement ring, “I wish I could thank them.”
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Very good writing.