In 1864, Abraham Lincoln issued forth the Emancipation Proclamation declaring that all men are created equal, thereby liberating all held as slaves in the United States. Thus, the end of slavery. Or was it?
During the entire African Slave Trade in America, 11 million humans were trafficked to the United States. Today, more than 27 million people are held in slavery across the globe.
But, how can this be? Slavery is illegal in every country in the world! With the fall of communism and the collapse of economies world wide, borders have become blurred and governments ineffective. Some slaves are taken during hostile takeovers of political powers. Some slaves exist in the form of children or entire families sold as repayment of debts.
Many slaves stay within the borders of the country where they are taken. But a great number of them are transported across country borders into other markets. It is estimated that 200,000 slaves are living in America today, working in fields, restaurants, as domestic labor, or in the sex trade.
During the entire African Slave Trade in America, 11 million humans were trafficked to the United States. Today, more than 27 million people are held in slavery across the globe.
But, how can this be? Slavery is illegal in every country in the world! With the fall of communism and the collapse of economies world wide, borders have become blurred and governments ineffective. Some slaves are taken during hostile takeovers of political powers. Some slaves exist in the form of children or entire families sold as repayment of debts.
Many slaves stay within the borders of the country where they are taken. But a great number of them are transported across country borders into other markets. It is estimated that 200,000 slaves are living in America today, working in fields, restaurants, as domestic labor, or in the sex trade.
During the 18th and 19th centuries, when slavery was prevalent and legal in this country, a slave could be purchased for the equivalent of what today would be about $40,000. That's a rather pricey investment. Most of us would be interested in taking care our slave, and seeing that our investment was able to pay off. Today, a slave can be purchased for an average of $90--less than the cost of a cell phone, or a day's wages.
Today's slavery hides behind different names to mask its true identity: human trafficking is a common one. This misnomer could sound to the casual observer as simply trafficking in illegal aliens, and not necessarily the slave trade. Don't be fooled. The truth is that anyone who is forced to work without pay and the freedom to leave with the threat of harm to themselves or their families is a slave.
The fact is, slavery in our time minimizes and devalues who we are as a people. With the words of Abraham Lincoln and William Wilberforce before him ringing in our ears, how can we stand by and let this go on? How can we allow one person to own another? We flinch and scowl at the ways a person can abuse and mistreat a child or an animal, but turn our gaze or ignore a problem 27 million strong? Now that you have the facts, how can you turn away?
NOT FOR SALE is a campaign of students, entrepreneurs, artists, people of faith, athletes, law enforcement officers, politicians, social workers, skilled professionals, and all justice seekers, united to fight the global slave trade.
There are some horrifying stories of slavery to be told, certainly. But there are some even more horrifying stories to learn of slavery that has happened under the noses of people like you and me. Please look into this issue and learn some simple ways you can avoid contributing to the problem. Even if you don't choose to become an abolitionist, there are some things you can do. For example, buying Fair Trade coffee and chocolate, clothing and textile products guarantees that these products are being produced by non-slave communities. They are also great community building purchases, and quality products.
Be aware of what goes on around you. Did you know that children are sold as sex slaves on Craigslist every day? And those field workers you see working day in and day out who you assume were picked up as day laborers? Perhaps not. Keep them in mind...and on your heart. They may have been promised a life other than the one they got. And whether they entered this country legally or not, they certainly don't deserve to be held as less than a human, but as a possession.
There are many sites you can explore online--google "modern day slavery", or "human trafficking." I think you'll be surprised, or sickened, by what you find out.
But, again, there are ways you can help. A small donation by a large number of people will get the ball rolling. Awareness and speaking out will strengthen the cause, and taking it to the polls will bring it home. Let's finally bring an end to slavery, and let's do it in our lifetime!
