Slavery - Alive and well today
Slavery, human trafficking, and debt bondage are all facets of the same thing. Something that is still around and flourishing despite being against the law around the world. It does get infrequent coverage in the media, when the occasional case comes to light and attracts legal prosecution.
I was reminded again of the issue by a National Public Radio interview with Benjamin Skinner, author of A Crime So Monstrous: Face-to-Face with Modern-Day Slavery. Skinner describes slaves, historical and modern, as “those that are forced to work under threat of violence for no pay beyond sustenance.” Follow the link and read the interview.
So I ask myself, why is modern day slavery not higher in the public consciousness? Where people are aware of it, our short attention span must be at fault. I present myself as an example. The interview with Skinner tugs at my sensibilities. My sense of justice is outraged. But will it be front and center in my consciousness next week?
Another reason for the silence is likely that there is nothing to debate about. No one will stand up in defense of this practice. Most all the laws that can be passed are already passed. United Nations resolutions have been already adopted.
All that is left is eternal vigilance.
Because involuntary bondage is illegal, it’s practice is hidden from view. The occasional story about people, usually well-heeled immigrants keeping house help in servitude tell us that we do have to keep vigilant, even in this nation that abolished the institution of slavery over one hundred years ago. If it is going on in our city, in our neighborhood, it takes intrusive busybodies to ferret it out. And who likes being a busybody? Who likes to be the snitch to the authorities?
Another factor that we take for granted in the United States is the right to organize labor. The absence of this right in other countries can result in abuse of laborers, sometimes, but not always through a form of debt bondage. Even if our government is inclined to be concerned, we have little to no leverage on labor laws of other nations.
There are vigilant people about. Benjamin Skinner is not the only voice. Antislavery.org, which I just found today, is one place to start. Use Google to find other sources of information. Read. If you have not followed the NPR link above, read it now. Be moved. And do not forget.