Let's not bury the lead. The subject of slavery was out there since the founding of the Republic. It's one of the main reasons why parts of the Constitution are wound up tighter than pretzels. The need to placate the smaller southern states like South Carolina and Georgia who depended on "free" labor.
The words of Confederate VP Alexander Stephens could not be more clear ahead of starting the Civil War:
“Our new government is founded upon exactly the opposite idea; it’s foundations are laid, it’s cornerstone rests, upon the great truth that the negro is not equal to the white man; that slavery subordination to the superior race is his natural and normal condition. This, our new government, is the first , in its history of the world, based upon this great physical, philosophical, and moral truth.”
Folks like Nikki just want to rewrite history.