Why was it not slavery but freedom and the notion that all men are created equal that created a moral contradiction in colonial America and how did race help resolve that contradiction?

In colonial America, the ideals of freedom and the belief that "all men are created equal" clashed with the reality of slavery, creating a profound moral contradiction. This tension was resolved by constructing a racial hierarchy that deemed enslaved Africans as fundamentally different and inferior, thus justifying their subjugation. By positioning race as a basis for inequality, colonial society could reconcile its values of liberty and equality with the institution of slavery, allowing for economic exploitation while maintaining a facade of moral integrity. Ultimately, this racial framework entrenched systemic inequalities that persisted long after the abolition of slavery.