Sure it was an aweful period in American history, but was it out of the ordinary? Civilizations have had slaves since the dawn of man (usually through the spoils of war). Even Africa actively participated in enslaving, and selling they're own people. Isn't paying an illegal alien chump change, modern day slavery? Sure most slaves were brought to America against thier will, but you should blame the ruling African elite of that time for profiting off of they're own people.
I end this with a question: Shouldn't African Americans point at least some of the blame on the people who allowed, and profited on the slave trade?
The majority of slaves were from wars between tribes in Africa. The captured tribesmen were used as slave labor in the villages and were subsequently sold to Europeans to be brought over to the United States, Haiti, and other nations in exchange for goods.
Some Europeans did capture people themselves however it was rare due to the overall expense and danger with little to no reward. Since the majority of the captured tribes were used to mine gold diamonds, and other mineral ores there was likely not much argument getting traded as it was prob better to pick cotton in a field than to dig in a mine.
I'm glad that the days of this type of living is pretty much over with. Having the will over another man is simply not right