Spring Break
Modern slavery exists; now is time to react
Joce DeWitt
Issue date: 4/24/09 Section: Forum
Unless you've been hiding under a rock for the past week, you've most likely heard something about the abolitionist movement that has recently struck a small flame in the hearts of a few Americans.
If you're confused, let me make something clear: slavery still exists. Many Americans are under the impression that it disappeared as soon as President Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation in 1863. Although these are monumental events in our nation's history, they did not put a complete stop to the trade.
So what exactly does "slavery" entail? The kind I'm talking about involves the capture, either by force or deception, of people who are sold for different types of work: as sex slaves, laborers or soldiers. Most are females and about half are children.
Sadly, the victims of prostitution are most often taken from poorer communities, tricked into believing that they are leaving their homes and families for better lives only to find themselves as slaves, their bodies and souls being sold to strangers over and over again.
As much as I would like to, I'm not going into vivid detail about what happens to these victims on a daily basis, but I think it goes without saying that they are denied any education, close relationships and self-dignity.
Everything these innocent people live for depends on what their "owners" want from them. As soon as victims become less of a financial asset, they are considered a burden and are discarded completely, left homeless and hopeless with no way to fend for themselves.
Because of this high dependence on their owners, victims who are lucky enough to escape would rather go back and live in slavery.
There are accounts of young girls who were saved from brothels and wanted nothing more than to go back. Children are brainwashed into believing that what they are being forced to do is right.
How do you save victims who don't want to be saved?
The cold, hard truth is that slavery is happening, not just in the developing countries of South East Asia, but right here - and by right here, I mean Oregon.
If you're confused, let me make something clear: slavery still exists. Many Americans are under the impression that it disappeared as soon as President Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation in 1863. Although these are monumental events in our nation's history, they did not put a complete stop to the trade.
So what exactly does "slavery" entail? The kind I'm talking about involves the capture, either by force or deception, of people who are sold for different types of work: as sex slaves, laborers or soldiers. Most are females and about half are children.
Sadly, the victims of prostitution are most often taken from poorer communities, tricked into believing that they are leaving their homes and families for better lives only to find themselves as slaves, their bodies and souls being sold to strangers over and over again.
As much as I would like to, I'm not going into vivid detail about what happens to these victims on a daily basis, but I think it goes without saying that they are denied any education, close relationships and self-dignity.
Everything these innocent people live for depends on what their "owners" want from them. As soon as victims become less of a financial asset, they are considered a burden and are discarded completely, left homeless and hopeless with no way to fend for themselves.
Because of this high dependence on their owners, victims who are lucky enough to escape would rather go back and live in slavery.
There are accounts of young girls who were saved from brothels and wanted nothing more than to go back. Children are brainwashed into believing that what they are being forced to do is right.
How do you save victims who don't want to be saved?
The cold, hard truth is that slavery is happening, not just in the developing countries of South East Asia, but right here - and by right here, I mean Oregon.
Note: writers will not reply to comments.
Viewing Comments 1 - 2 of 2
Kristin Rudolph
posted 4/24/09 @ 4:12 PM PST
So true!
I want to first say thank you for this article. You are an activist with your pen!
Secondly, if any of my fellow students are interested in be a part of the response to this issue, e-mail studentabolitionists@oregonstate. (Continued…)
Freddy
posted 4/25/09 @ 10:40 PM PST
As is typical of you so-called activists, you point out a problem, play it up to tug at the heart strings of the audience, horrify them with stories of despicable injustice, worry them into believing the monster is loose in their own neighborhood, frighten them into believing that the problem is getting worse and then offer nothing in the way of a solution. (Continued…)
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