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| Courtesy: CNN.com |
In the year 2011, it is crazy to believe that slavery and other forms of “ownership” exists in the world. Here in American, such an idea is a reminder of a past that this nation prefers to forget, however, the reality is, it is part of the progression (and still is) that this country has made. Slavery is a social hurdle that needed to be leaped in order for this nation to understand the differences between us all, and of course, the ignorance and outright evil that mankind is capable of.
Now with over a century removed from slavery in our own land, the concept seems about as ancient and outdated as any hundred years can make something feel. As an American, and one that realizes that such activity did exist in the past in other countries, it was shocking to read about CNN’s “Freedom Project” series this past week on the issue of slavery, and it’s current relevance, and prevalence, throughout the world.
The form of sex trafficking, and how it has now become a bigger and sadly, a more profitable, industry than that of drugs and narcotics was one that raises eyebrows. Right under our noses and directly off our streets around the world, women, and now men as well, are being kidnapped of all ages, sometimes as young as eight years old, are kidnapped and held against their will. These men and women, and sadly, boys and girls, are shipped, traded, pawned, and enslaved to work for those that have captured them. The industry, which barely raises red flags due to the difficulty of finding those who are being trafficked, and the ability to trade and transfer people rather than illegal substances, is much reason for its growth. Currently, markets in Europe are leaders, and yes, such travesties are occurring right here in the United States.
Another form of slavery which really grabbed my attention in the current project is the form of slavery we are all familiar with, the uncut, uneducated, rule-by-fear, working for a master type of slavery. The series revealed story, after story, after story, of people around the world who are currently under slavery, with very limited education, few rights, no freedom, and even a lesser chance of escaping. The horror-filled stories that include torture, ridiculous forms of child labor, rape, and terror, all surround the type of control placed upon people who have no idea of the reason for their slavery. For some, the biggest tragedy is their unawareness that slavery is illegal in their country, however, due to their lack education and most of all, their fear will never know so, or will know how to escape it.
The series which you can check out here, is very highly recommended, and one that every individual ought to take some time to make themselves aware of. Freedom is often something we here in America take for granted when the smallest and most minuscule of liberties are at debate, however, we often forget, despite the 100 years that has gone by, slavery in our world still exists. And it exists in many, many, many different forms.
“Enslave the liberty of but one human being and the liberties of the world are put in peril.”-William Lloyd Garrison