For every decision we make and for every action that we partake in there is a consequence or multiple consequences that arise because of what we chose to do or think or say. These consequences may be positive or negative depending on what the action that caused the consequence is. I believe that the worst consequences that one can experience are those on an eternal level. Such consequences of this nature would include the punishment of sins and the hardness of ones heart caused by their sins. In other words, the sufferings and pains of sin in this world are the greatest harms imaginable to mankind for their consequences carry with them eternal ramifications. "For the wages of sin is death- (Romans 6:23). For this reason, I am arguing that slavery was most detrimental to white people who were filled with sins of hatred and bitterness caused by slavery. I also believe that there were in fact black people who were hardened by their own sins as well. However, I believe that for the most part slavery affected the whites the most in regards to sin and eternal punishment.
In Fredrick Douglass" narrative Douglass gives a very vivid description of the effects of slavery on both blacks and whites. In my opinion the views he delivered in his narrative regarding the effects of the whites and blacks were quite balanced and fair. Not only did Douglass portray the evil against the blacks, he also described the inner pains and hardening of hearts among the white people. He described their pains in a way that was somewhat compassionate and heartfelt, as if he was saddened by the white people's pains. There is an example from the text where Douglass is describing a white slaveholder who was "a cruel man, hardened by a long life of slaveholding" (pg. 44). Douglass seems to be blaming this man's cruelty simply on the fact that he was a slaveholder and not on the man himself. This is quite a competent statement coming from a man who suffered many physical pains from men such as this slaveholder.