It should be discussed what does this mean when Obama says that the WhiteHouse was built by slaves. Slavery exists today around the globe. Ever by a cheap tee-shirt? Probably made by slaves. Ever buy a knock-off designer bag? Probably made by slaves. What Obama is saying is that slavery built and builds the foundation of America, so we the people can have stuff. So the President can have the WhiteHouse. What Obama seems to be suggesting, is that race based slavery is a thing of the past, but modern day slavery, human trafficking, is still a thing of the present. It would be impossible to fully define slavery, without looking at where slavery exists today. To even merely suggest that the WhiteHouse fully represents purely African American slave trade of 6+ generations ago is being superficial. One must fully consider and think about what slavery is, and what it means. If one argues that the slaves, although treated well, were still indebted to their owners, well, aren’t many Americans in debt in one form or another today? Student loans, car payments, mortgages. Although Americans have a choice to leave his or her employment, they remain indebted to their debts. Isn’t this slavery in one form or another? Back to modern day slavery, what about the slaves who made your clothing/computers/plastic things? Just because they are not one race doesn’t mean that its not slavery.

Thus, without Obama elaborating and defining what she meant by her statement, one can only speculate and guess what aspect of American life today, and the past, she was referring to. My guess is that most assume she was talking about the race-based African American slavery of America 6+ generations ago, but was she? Did she ultimately decide to do anything about her statement or just leave it as is, as if to open conversation?