Another great one, Bren!! Keep it up!!
A little anecdote regarding those aristocratic plantation owners: My maiden name is a very prominent one in Charleston. Among other things, It graces one of the largest plantations which now makes a ton of money as a major tourist spot and destination wedding locale. While one of its owners signed that bullshit, Declaration of Independence, he also said this, "Slaves have been and always will be chattel.” Hypocrisy much? This family's head was the second-most-active slave runner in the Charleston area after Henry Laurens.
They are one of the few who not only NEVER lost their wealth, they're still making plenty of it, based on the legacy of enslaved folk (like my father's family). After the supposed "racial reckoning" after George Floyd's death, they're now offering tuition assistance scholarships to Black kids and they love having "family reunions" which now include the Black, formerly enslaved descendants as well. I've never participated in any of it, as I see it as merely economic and performative given the majority of West African slaves were funneled to America, through Charleston. They've also modified their "tours" to include more of our story. I can just hear folk saying, "Well you should be happy about all of that, at least they're trying to make amends!" My answer to them is always an unequivocal, "BULLSHIT!! They're just continuing to benefit from the horrors of the SlaveTrade and I will not be taking any part in their continued economic success! Given how much they made off our backs for HUNDREDS OF YEARS, their little scholarship program is a pittance! Full and complete reparations for their involvement in slavery is what is owed. And is what I expect."
Of course, that always ticks them off because I'm not "grateful" enough. Oh well...