Accountability

Should someone be held accountable for their actions that are not socially acceptable to today’s standards, but were acceptable in the time during the time when they were committed? Should the Nazi guard be convicted of crimes today, that were committed during his service to the Nazi party in WWII? Should we still hold in high regard the founding fathers who were slave owners? Should we celebrate Columbus Day who slaughtered thousands of Native Americans for greed and profit? In my opinion the answer is no. Even if the act was socially acceptable back then it was still wrong. For example, if you have been born into a household that owns slaves and treats them harshly. And you are taught by your parents that, this is the way you treat slaves. I feel that this does not excuse you from the act of harshly treating slaves, when you become an adult and capable of making your own decisions and choices. To not use critical thinking skills and just hide behind what is, or is not a crime or what is, or is not lawful is letting the judicial system of the time make the choice for you. And so you become the slave.