As I mentioned in the previous post, slavery is not over. Millions are being oppressed right under our noses in America, and an even greater number throughout the world. Slavery no longer resides in the cotton fields or in shacks, but its same old tricks still continue today. The lack of education, lack of independence for provision, and the continuation of human trafficking are just three ways that slavery has continued to exist, and need to be stopped.Frederick Douglas, an escaped slave turned speaker for the abolitionist movement, wrote in his biography (found in the Norton Literature Anthology 7th ed. Vol. B) very powerful words about his experience between the connections of slavery and education. He tells of a story where his master rebuked his mistress for teaching Douglas to read. “Learning would spoil the best nigger in the world. Now, said he, if you teach that nigger (speaking of myself) how to read, there would be no keeping him.” (Douglas 2086). Douglas Points out that the oppression of slaves relied heavily upon the slaves being uneducated. This trend continues today. According to the 2002 Government Literacy Survey 85% of the American sample who completed 12 years or less of school (without graduating High school) cannot read a paragraph and answer questions on what they had read. (Level 2 proficiency pg 26).
We can also see how a link between the inability to provide for oneself can be an oppressive force. By needing to rely on another entity for food, shelter, and the basic necessities of life, this gives over complete control of the person’s life to the provider, making the person completely dependent upon the provider. According to the 2009 Census data as reported by the Washington post, 44 million people live below the poverty line in the United States. That is roughly 15% of the U.S. population or a little over 1 in 7 people that rely fully upon another agency to provide for their entire well-being. This in turn forces those recipients to be obliged to vote a certain way, or perform certain tasks to maintain their ability to survive.
Lastly, and perhaps the least well known of the listed forms of oppression is the continuation of the industry of buying and selling humans. No longer do those humans work in the field, but now they are confined to the bedrooms and households of their “owners.” As a Sacramento area resident I was appalled when the statistic was released that the Sacramento area is suspected of being within the top 5 largest areas for the underground sex trafficking. I don’t think I need to describe why this form of human trafficking is a form of slavery, but in every sense of the name, it is.
Although the whips and chains are gone, it is very apparent to see the mediums of slavery still very much alive in American culture, As Christians, it is our job to stop it! We had a war to get rid of the physical signs of bondage, so shouldn’t we be ready to once again fight for the freedom from oppression for the American people? Notice I only gave the statistics for problems in America where slavery is illegal, but when you view these types of injustices as slavery, it is hard not to broaden your scope.
How about the refusal to allow women an education in extremist territories in the Afghanistan and Pakistan? What about the starving people all throughout the African countries, or even the Asian countries? If we are appalled by sex trafficking statistics here, we couldn’t begin to think what they are like around the world. International Justice Mission reports that “over 2 million children are being exploited in the commercial sex industry.” I leave you with a bit for thought, If we were willing to go war to free the American people from this oppression, and should be up in arms at what is happening just in America, shouldn’t we as humans be willing to begin to free other parts of the world from the tyranny and oppression that holds them in bondage, or is the value of our dollar worth more than that person’s freedom?
If any of this has struck a chord, there are ways you can help. Go volunteer a day in a local elementary school or after school program, read to a child, or let a child read to you. Donate food in canned food drives, or organize one yourself. Be on the lookout for a way to help friends and neighbors in this hurting economy. Lastly, if you want to learn more about trafficking, I am no salesperson, but I absolutely encourage you to look at International Justice Mission and their website for more information.
We can also see how a link between the inability to provide for oneself can be an oppressive force. By needing to rely on another entity for food, shelter, and the basic necessities of life, this gives over complete control of the person’s life to the provider, making the person completely dependent upon the provider. According to the 2009 Census data as reported by the Washington post, 44 million people live below the poverty line in the United States. That is roughly 15% of the U.S. population or a little over 1 in 7 people that rely fully upon another agency to provide for their entire well-being. This in turn forces those recipients to be obliged to vote a certain way, or perform certain tasks to maintain their ability to survive.
Lastly, and perhaps the least well known of the listed forms of oppression is the continuation of the industry of buying and selling humans. No longer do those humans work in the field, but now they are confined to the bedrooms and households of their “owners.” As a Sacramento area resident I was appalled when the statistic was released that the Sacramento area is suspected of being within the top 5 largest areas for the underground sex trafficking. I don’t think I need to describe why this form of human trafficking is a form of slavery, but in every sense of the name, it is.
Although the whips and chains are gone, it is very apparent to see the mediums of slavery still very much alive in American culture, As Christians, it is our job to stop it! We had a war to get rid of the physical signs of bondage, so shouldn’t we be ready to once again fight for the freedom from oppression for the American people? Notice I only gave the statistics for problems in America where slavery is illegal, but when you view these types of injustices as slavery, it is hard not to broaden your scope.
How about the refusal to allow women an education in extremist territories in the Afghanistan and Pakistan? What about the starving people all throughout the African countries, or even the Asian countries? If we are appalled by sex trafficking statistics here, we couldn’t begin to think what they are like around the world. International Justice Mission reports that “over 2 million children are being exploited in the commercial sex industry.” I leave you with a bit for thought, If we were willing to go war to free the American people from this oppression, and should be up in arms at what is happening just in America, shouldn’t we as humans be willing to begin to free other parts of the world from the tyranny and oppression that holds them in bondage, or is the value of our dollar worth more than that person’s freedom?
If any of this has struck a chord, there are ways you can help. Go volunteer a day in a local elementary school or after school program, read to a child, or let a child read to you. Donate food in canned food drives, or organize one yourself. Be on the lookout for a way to help friends and neighbors in this hurting economy. Lastly, if you want to learn more about trafficking, I am no salesperson, but I absolutely encourage you to look at International Justice Mission and their website for more information.
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