You've essentially put your finger on one of the problems inherent with British racism. Things were absolutely far more difficult for enslaved Africans - but most of the working class of Liverpool had no idea about enslaved Africans, it was a theoretical construct not based in their reality. For the average working class Brit (particularly in this era) there remains a solipsistic focus on self interest and survival.
A more liberal approach taken by Mancunians is somewhat rooted in an economic distance from destruction. They had the mental space and the economic capacity to consider things higher up Maslow's hierarchy of need.
And this is still the case here in the UK - the working class often votes in its perceived own interests but against a more humanistic centred approach because it is manipulated by the media. All you have to do is say 'it's immigrants fault' - Johnson demonstrated this when he took the Red Wall over Brexit. Meanwhile, in more liberal city and metropolitan areas, the easiest thing to do is call them bigots and enact policy from the moral high-ground.
As you have said, it was more difficult for Liverpudlians than Mancunians and society would do better concentrating on what those difficulties are and removing them. Cultural and financial investment in Liverpool since the Toxteth riots have seen it become a more welcoming and diverse place (though not perfect) and it's well worth visiting if you haven't been. I went there with the significant other penguin a few weeks ago and had a lovely time. There's an excellent museum in the dockyard which does a very good job of documenting Liverpool's complicity in the slave trade and it is harrowing. Liverpool would align with Manchester these days.
Don't be afraid of the long piece - if pieces are well written (and yours is) then readers will persist. Not all of them, but enough to make it worthwhile. This has been an interesting discussion. For all the reasons above and as outlined through my stories I remain committed to economic socialism - I believe economic space and a free press is what is necessary for racism to be removed from society. Plenty of folks disagree with me, but that's the joy of writing on Medium. My views on identity politics are here if you're interested. https://medium.com/lucid-nightmare/what-we-all-lose-when-society-plays-identity-politics-397dcb896d5b
Consider yourself followed and I look forward to reading more. :o)
