Historical Context : The claim often centers around Anthony Johnson, a black man in Virginia in the 17th century who reportedly owned slaves. However, it's important to contextualize this within the broader history of slavery. Slavery existed long before Johnson's time, including in ancient civilizations and among indigenous populations in America. Therefore, the notion that the concept of slavery in America began with Johnson is historically inaccurate. Legal and Social Constructs of Slavery : The nature of slavery evolved over time. Initially, in the American colonies, there were forms of indentured servitude where individuals, regardless of race, worked for a period to pay off debts or for passage to the New World. This system was different from the racialized, hereditary chattel slavery that developed later, which was based on race and treated slaves as property in perpetuity. Racial Dynamics and Power Structures : The systemic and institutionalized nature of slavery was ...