sorry Mav, about my rambling about groups/social structures and power.
but freedom (as in being a member of group, or family) is a social idea.

there were free men but not free women in ancient times, --
women were not slaves, but not free in the modern sense, even if they were family-- and sexism has been known to still rear its ugly head in modern times.

as for slavery vs freedom, (in US social groups)it hard to analyse with out racism being part of the factor.

it is a sad and disturbing fact that blacks who immigrate to US (from anywhere) tend to do better in everyway measurable-- better income, better educated, better jobs, better health (they live longer, too) live in better houses, in better neighborhoods, rate themselves as happier, the list goes on--than black born in US.

is the problem white society? or something else? is it someway relate to a sense of freedom? (of belonging, being beloved?)
i do think feeling you are part of group, a dear member of a family (be it biological or social) is empowering!


my other obsession