slavery comes in many forms these days, and make no mistake...there are more slaves today than there have ever been in history. there are an estimated 27 to 30 million slaves globally, and the number will never go down...unless we do something.
AWARENESS is the first step, and that is the biggest part of the anti-trafficking/slavery movement is about.
please visit these sites and learn the basics, these are all respected groups, and there are others. as you read, you'll run into other groups doing important work.
through our DAILY DECISION MAKING, we can have an impact. after that, tell a friend about it, make him/her aware. this is the only way to start the process.
http://www.freetheslaves.net/Page.aspx?pid=183
http://www.iabolish.org/
http://www.polarisproject.org/
http://www.notforsalecampaign.org/Default.aspx
400 years of slavery
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Yams
Re: 400 years of slavery
I own my own bussiness,I have people working for me for far less money then i make.They also have to do what i tell them.I am a fair employer,i treat them like people but the fact is i make more,and they work more,and do what i say.Are they my slaves?No.
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hot milk
- Posts: 163
- Joined: Mon Feb 06, 2006 10:58 pm
Re: 400 years of slavery
Hi Yams,
Not sure if your post is a response to mine, but you are correct, that certainly does not sound like a case of slavery. Sadly, not all "employers" are like you.
The definition can vary, but the general points agreed upon are...forced or coerced to work, for no money, under the threat of violence.
It happens every day, in every nation. Saying you don't enslave your employees, while not contributing to the problem, does not help it, either. If you choose to do nothing on this issue, that is fine, and I respect your choice. But somehow using your situation as the bar by which to measure the situation of others is ill-fitting and unwise.
Nearly all slaves are poverty stricken, and many are trafficked by getting tricked/fooled (though in some cases they are outright stolen) into thinking someone is offering a good employment opportunity. Surely some of this meshes with the roots reggae message that we listen to and you can relate to, at least on that level?
Sorry, I'm on a bit of soapbox today.
Not sure if your post is a response to mine, but you are correct, that certainly does not sound like a case of slavery. Sadly, not all "employers" are like you.
The definition can vary, but the general points agreed upon are...forced or coerced to work, for no money, under the threat of violence.
It happens every day, in every nation. Saying you don't enslave your employees, while not contributing to the problem, does not help it, either. If you choose to do nothing on this issue, that is fine, and I respect your choice. But somehow using your situation as the bar by which to measure the situation of others is ill-fitting and unwise.
Nearly all slaves are poverty stricken, and many are trafficked by getting tricked/fooled (though in some cases they are outright stolen) into thinking someone is offering a good employment opportunity. Surely some of this meshes with the roots reggae message that we listen to and you can relate to, at least on that level?
Sorry, I'm on a bit of soapbox today.
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Yams
Re: 400 years of slavery
Actually i wasnt using my situation as a bar of comparison to forced slavery,but as an example of a person having power over others and making money off of it.Fairly and honestly.And one could use that as bar of comparison if they wish on how to make money fairly.
Your examples are right to the point and accurate of shameless using of human life for profit,but there are more examples of slavery then the obvious
Your examples are right to the point and accurate of shameless using of human life for profit,but there are more examples of slavery then the obvious
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hot milk
- Posts: 163
- Joined: Mon Feb 06, 2006 10:58 pm
Re: 400 years of slavery
Fair enough, Yams. But I would urge you to be careful not to call your example "slavery", since your employees have full right to leave when they wish. They are not being forced to stay in that job and do as you say, they are only being forced, or better yet expected, to do as you say if they stay in that job. The only way slaves live in slavery is if they are forced to do the work, which your employees are not.
Bob talked about "mental slavery", and it's a useful metaphor for life to many, but it is just that, a metaphor. Actual slavery is not something to ponder to improve your station in life by confronting demons/unjustices/etc, but is the very act of being, living, surviving, in sometimes subhuman conditions. It's all quite scary. And even scarier to know that it's happening all around us, each us, no matter where we live.
I live in Washington DC and there have been several domestic slaves discovered lately, usually diplomats "importing" little girls to serve as forced servants in the house and not able to leave. Terrible and dreadful, fe true.
Bob talked about "mental slavery", and it's a useful metaphor for life to many, but it is just that, a metaphor. Actual slavery is not something to ponder to improve your station in life by confronting demons/unjustices/etc, but is the very act of being, living, surviving, in sometimes subhuman conditions. It's all quite scary. And even scarier to know that it's happening all around us, each us, no matter where we live.
I live in Washington DC and there have been several domestic slaves discovered lately, usually diplomats "importing" little girls to serve as forced servants in the house and not able to leave. Terrible and dreadful, fe true.