Understanding Historical Justifications: From Unsafe Work Practices to Slavery

Dangerous Work Practices of the Past

In the past, work environments were rife with dangerous practices that would be unimaginable today. For instance, older colleagues often recount handling asbestos without any protective equipment, even after the health risks were well-known. This would be a severe Health and Safety violation in today's standards, reflecting a significant shift in workplace safety regulations over time.

Another startling example is workers using natural gas to light cigarettes on job sites, justifying it by saying they weren't near active gas work at the moment. This behavior shows a profound lack of safety awareness that was normalized in the past. Modern Health and Safety regulations would be shocked by such practices, highlighting how far we've come in ensuring worker protection.

The Persistence of Racism in Everyday Life

The case of a 95-year-old woman with dementia who still recalls her childhood black lab named using a racial slur underscores how ingrained and normalized racism was in everyday life. She justified it by saying, "He needed a name! A dog needs a name!" This highlights how past societal norms can resurface in unexpected and uncomfortable ways, reminding us of the pervasive nature of racism.

The use of racial slurs in naming pets in the past is a stark reminder of the casual racism that was once widely accepted. It reflects broader societal attitudes and the normalization of discriminatory language, which we continue to grapple with today.

Slavery and the Myth of Universal Acceptance

Slavery is often justified by claiming it was widely accepted during the founding of the United States. However, this narrative conveniently overlooks the contemporaneous opposition and abolition movements that existed at the time. For instance, the British Somerset case in 1772 declared slavery an "odious institution" and banned it in the British Isles, showing early opposition to slavery.

Canada's ban on slavery in 1793 further indicates that anti-slavery sentiments were present in the Anglosphere before the U.S. Constitution was written. Many Americans falsely believe that slavery was universally accepted during the country's founding to avoid criticizing the founding fathers, perpetuating a sanitized national history.

The Influence of Abolitionist Movements

The British abolitionist movement's influence extended to North America, challenging the notion that slavery was unchallenged at the time. The normalization of slavery as a norm "back then" ignores the historical context of abolitionist efforts and legal rulings against it. The persistence of justifying historical wrongs with "it was normal back then" overlooks the significant opposition that existed.

The reluctance to criticize historical figures for their involvement in slavery perpetuates myths and hinders a full understanding of history. The mythology around American founding fathers often omits or downplays their involvement in slavery to preserve their heroic status, which is part of a broader effort to maintain a sanitized national history.

Progress in Health and Safety Standards

The widespread acceptance of unsafe work practices in the past reflects a significant shift in workplace safety standards over time. The shift from past unsafe work practices to modern Health and Safety standards illustrates significant progress in worker protection. The normalization of dangerous work practices in the past often put workers' lives at risk without adequate protection or awareness.

Today's stringent Health and Safety regulations are a testament to the progress made in ensuring safer work environments. The dangerous behaviors of the past serve as a reminder of the importance of continuous improvement in workplace safety standards.

Understanding historical justifications for unsafe work practices and slavery requires acknowledging the contemporaneous opposition and movements against these wrongs. By critically examining our past, we can better appreciate the progress made and continue to strive for a more just and safe society.