What does Coates mean by suggesting that American freedom is not possible without slavery? - The Case for Reparations

Slavery was the biggest part of the American economy upon the founding of the country. At the same time that the colonies were beginning to explore their independence, they were also making laws to limit the rights of Black people, both free and enslaved. The labor and economic advantage needed for America to fight for its own independence were in large part contributed by slavery. While a lot of current American history approaches slavery as an unfortunate condition that happened at the same time as revolution, Coates suggests that revolution was possible because of slavery.