Category: Slavery

Introduction

“Commercial Slavery” is the project by Colin Thies, who aimed at discussing the economic and political advantages and disadvantages of slavery, free from any moral implications. The goal of the article was to evaluate the economic and political situation of the African slave trade and avoid other aspects according to which people were considered as oppressed and enslaved. Even though a separate paragraph introduced the thesis, certain weaknesses were present, including the failure to describe the issues in this discussion and properly explain why moral implications were not essential.

Main text

To support the chosen thesis, the author used several primary and secondary sources. For example, credible maps and digital public library sources helped to describe the process of the slave trade in the United States from Africa, France, and Senegal. Peer-reviewed articles and a website turned out to be effective sources about the statistical and demographic aspects of slavery in America. However, the offered sources introduced a clear but general picture of the slave trade. For example, it was mentioned that the price of a 25-27-year-old male slave was between $700-800. The period when the slave trade was at its peak was also mentioned. Still, not much information was available to understand its economic benefits. Therefore, valuable arguments were important for explaining the general characteristics of slavery, but not enough for defining its political or economic pros and cons (which was the main part of the thesis).

In the article, some evidence about transport prices and taxes encouraged a better evaluation of the economic situation in the country and slavery processes. In the majority of cases, the author made conclusions independently without using the chosen articles, books, or maps. Although evidence and facts were present in the article, they poorly supported the thesis and did not explain the economic and political advantages and disadvantages of the African slave trade in the United States.

Doubtful attitudes can be developed towards the article and its thesis. On the one hand, the author successfully used the assigned prompt and introduced a clear and argumentative goal. On the other hand, it was hard for the reader to identify the steps with the help of which economic and political aspects had to be evaluated. In the article, accurate arguments were developed to describe the essence of the slave trade in the country. However, they were not enough to prove their coherence with the thesis. Slavery was proved as a significant part of the colonial life of the American population. Statistical facts were used, but they touched upon the demographic situation in the region. Overall economic profits were not discussed, and the author focused on profit margins and risks in the transporting system only. It seemed that the author of the article succeeded in discussing varying interpretations of the event and associated evidence. However, the major goal to introduce the economic and political benefits and challenges of the slave trade was not met.

Conclusion

In general, the article suggested the possibility to promote political debates about slavery, using its economic impact. The question was if the United States could achieve its growth without slavery. Still, no accurate facts about its economic and political situation were introduced. Other shortages of the project included stylistic and grammar inconsistencies (e.g., the absence of strong topic sentences or the use of tenses). It could be recommended to reconsider the thesis, introduce details, and make sure evidence supports the chosen aspect of the topic.

Introduction

Slavery, racial segregation, and discrimination are critical topics in American society as the effects of these events are noticeable in the modern world. Black Americans, despite legislative equality, more often than white citizens experience poverty and limited opportunities, which is an effect of artificially created unequal conditions in the past. Ta-Nehisi Coates, in his essay The Case for Reparations, examines the consequences of slavery and segregation in the United States and argues the importance of reparations for black Americans, both in a financial and moral perspective.

The Policies and Practices That the Author Uses in His Essay

Coates examines the problem of racial injustice of the past to prove the unfairness of the government’s attitude towards its citizens and to link this trend with the current situation in American society. His arguments are based on real stories and discriminatory policies that had been existing for centuries. The author demonstrates the story of a regular black American, Ross, to explain the arguments for reparations. Coates talks about Ross’s life in Mississippi, where his parents were forced to give up their farm and continue to work for the state government, fearing for their life and health (par.6). Then he studies scams with the sale of houses in Chicago when white owners profiteered on black Americans several dozen times. Black Americans were cut off from the possibility of obtaining a mortgage at the bank because the FHA identified available for them areas as a category that does not fall under the conditions of leases (Coates par.22). Therefore, the government formed black ghettos by creating conditions for speculation, since black people had to overpay to white owners for an opportunity to get a house.

The Main Kinds of Reparations

The author argues the need for financial reparations in his essay but also focuses on justice by saying that all cases should be documented and recognized by society. This step not only helps to create precedents and reduce the gap between racial groups but will teach people of history. Such a move is also logical and right for the morale of society as the segregation is a clear demonstration of the violation of all seven principles of Catholic social teaching. The very concept of slavery violated the idea of human dignity, and the slave trade undermined the institution of the family, since the masters often separated relatives by selling only one of them. For centuries, unfair laws violated the principle of protecting the rights and dignity of work, since black people were just a tool for making money even after the abolition of slavery. Ignoring the problems of black citizens and refusing to pay reparations now violate the principles of caring for God’s creation, helping the vulnerable, and solidarity. Thus, reparations are the right decision for Americans who want to live in a democratic and fair society.

The Main Arguments for Reparation

The author considers as the main reasons for the reparations, both elimination of the consequences of inequality and the fact of admitting guilt for the damage caused to people. Coates concludes that the situation has not changed much since the 1970s by analyzing the income gap of citizens and other social indicators (par.39). This problem exists due to the created unequal conditions and opportunities in which many black people have not been able to improve their lives. For this reason, reparations have to help needy citizens as they can use the money for treatment, education, or moving from the ghetto. The fact of a guilty plea is also an important reason, since it helps to reduce existing discrimination and to develop real democracy in the country. Black Americans will be able to receive moral satisfaction for the fact that today they are equal with other citizens, and the years of their suffering will at least partially justify themselves. Besides, such a demonstration of respect and understanding of the horrors of discrimination contributes to the fact that such a situation will not be repeated with any other resident of the United States.

What the Government and Society Should Do

The author also considers the bill already proposed by the congressman and believes that new law is the right step towards solving the problem. Although there is still no law regulating the procedure for considering and paying reparations, there are already some precedents when lawsuits were settled in favor of black Americans. Thereby, the government needs to develop a bill in which the reasons, procedures for considering the case, and the sources of paying reparations will be identified precisely. Besides, it is necessary to convey to the public the need for such a law and explain the reasons for its creation to teach Americans history. These steps contribute to reducing financial and social inequalities among the population.

Conclusion

Therefore, The Case for Reparations by Ta-Nehisi Coates is a work that reveals the consequences of racial injustice in American society from a legal and moral point of view. The author explains the reasons and demonstrates that reparations are a way to fix these consequences and improve the lives of US citizens. Besides, a society that learns from the mistakes of the past and exists according to the principles of morality has a much higher chance of a brighter future.

References

Coates, Ta-Nehisi. “The Case for Reparations.” The Atlantic, 2014. Web.

The article by Burt (2019) examines the issue of today’s slavery, namely, human trafficking in the US. The author states that the documents indicate a growth in the number of cases, while many of them remain unnoticed, which is also mentioned by Garland (2016). The paramount purpose of this article is to raise awareness among counselors, who should know about the prevalence, assessment, and treatment options. Therefore, the author begins with the critical review of data on the notion of human trafficking, including sex and labor trafficking forms, which often use immigrants and women as vulnerable populations. The research question is not stated in the article explicitly. Nevertheless, one can formulate it as follows: What is the knowledge needed for counselors to understand and help the survivors of human trafficking?

The critical literature review and case scenario analysis are used by Burt (2019) to provide relevant information. In particular, the data is taken from the World Health Organization (WHO), US Department of State, the National Human Trafficking Resource Center (NHTRC), and Global Alliance against Traffic in Women (GAATW). Also, the author cites more than 20 peer-reviewed journal articles that can be considered reliable. Proper in-text citations allow for referring to the sources and finding more information about research in the given field. After the analysis of the key behavioral therapies, the author provides a case scenario about a 15-year-old female with depression symptoms. Based on the literature, treatment considerations are identified to understand if she was trafficked and offer pertinent services.

One of the key problems is that human trafficking cases remain unnoticed even if people met with counselors. The first important finding is that counselors should aware of related signs and use a stop, observe, ask, and respond (SOAR) assessment instrument to recognize both verbal and non-verbal signs, applying a client-centered and trauma-focused approach (Burt, 2019). It means that a client’s unique needs should be discovered by asking questions and practicing responsiveness. A Comprehensive Human Trafficking Assessment (CHTA) is another tool that contains 52 items to self-report, but this instrument cannot ensure o psychometric evidence. The second finding is that TF-CBT, a type of cognitive-behavioral therapy, is considered one of the most effective treatment options due to its focus on coping, relaxation, cognitive managing, and affective change skills. Many victims of human trafficking tend to blame themselves for engaging in such activities, and a counselor must develop a set of skills in clients, working through trauma narration.

Labor trafficking is the first concept that I have learned from this article. Although I was aware of this concept generally, it was new to me read that hospitality, domestic labor, and restaurants are the key industries that use human trafficking, which means forcing and coercing people to work. Labor traffickers use violence, debt bondage, fabrication, and intimidation to force victims. Fear, a lack of opportunities, and extremely low wages prevent victims from reporting about human trafficking. TF-CBT is the second concept that refers to cognitive restructuring and self-efficacy as coping mechanisms to recover from traumatized experiences. The studies show its effectiveness in adolescents and children as it proved to decrease mental issues (Burt, 2019). However, some studies did not find significant changes in victims’ levels of depression, anxiety, and hope, which means that further research is critical.

Question: What are the signs of human trafficking in adolescents, and how to approach them in terms of counseling?

References

Burt, I. (2019) Modern-day slavery in the U.S.: Human trafficking and counselor awareness. International Journal of Advance Counselling 41, 187-200. Web.

Garland, D. R. (2016). Why I am a social worker: Twenty-five Christians tell their life stories. North American Association for Christians in Social Work.

Introduction

Charleston is a city in South Carolina and one of the largest cities in the United States. Its ancient name was Charles Towne in the year 1670 (French, 2009). It adopted the name Charleston in 1783. The name Charleston was coined by Charles Towne – King Charles II of England. In 1980, Charleston moved to its recent location. It is a very old location was Albemarle Point. The majority of the people who dwelt in old Charleston were primarily from England. Charlton contained several migrants as protestant denominations from several countries like Germany, Scotland, Ireland, and France. At some time in the late 17th century, Charleston was much prone to attacks from both land and sea (French, 2009). In 1961, civil war broke in South Carolina which lasted for four years. However, the practice of slave trade and slavery reigned in South Carolina before and during the civil war. This paper speaks about slavery in Charleston, South Carolina – America’s capital for the slave trade, and where the majority of enslaved people first arrived. It speaks about the life and origin of the slaves and also highlights some of their experiences; their starting point, where they lived, hunger and hardship, life on the plantation, and brutal work regime.

Slavery in Charleston, South Carolina before the Year 1865

Most history about slavery in America starts with Charlton. French (2009) asserted that Native Americans were primarily the earliest slaves of Charleston. Long before the coming of the European colonists, these Native Americans dwelt amidst the mountains and along the rivers of the Lowcountry. French (2009) pointed out that the various tribes of Native Americans in South Carolina often warred against each other. As a result, they hunted, captured, and sold enemy tribes to the whites as slaves. During the 17th and 18th centuries, South Carolina was heavily populated by Native American slaves (French, 2009). Later on, white plantation owners got to learn that Africans worked better than the Native Americans in rice cultivation; in addition, the Africans seemed to be more resistant to white diseases such as yellow fever. Hence, plantation owners began to terminate the usage of Native Americans for work on their plantations and sought black people.

Throughout the slave trade across the Atlantic Ocean, an estimation of 40% of African slaves that were brought into America came in by Charleston harbor (French, 2009). In mid 17th century, Charleston was the main entry center for Africans that were brought into America. The majority of the slaves that were brought into South Carolina were mostly from West Africa, particularly from the Gold Coast. Preferred slaves were mainly from the Gold Coast, which includes; Senegambia (contemporary Ghana), Angola, and Niger Delta. Black people of several tribes mainly from the Gold Coast were brought to Charleston as slaves. These slaves were often sold in the south to provide cheap labor (French, 2009). However, a great deal of those slaves stayed in South Carolina.

The way the enslaved people lived varied significantly, particularly in Charleston, and to date, historians have different opinions about diverse aspects of the slaves’ experiences (French, 2009). While some of the enslaved people worked in farmyards, toiled on the same piece of land all day long; others worked in relatively fairly comfortable conditions, having access to better clothing, food, and shelter; however, these slaves must be on duty every hour of the day, subject to their master’s whims and humor. In the 1930s, when interviewed by the then government writers, lots of slaves admitted that they were mercilessly tortured at the slightest offense (French, 2009). Some say they had kind and sympathetic masters; nonetheless, they were all in bondage. Many others were harassed sexually by their possessors; in fact, several young slave girls were purchased partly for this purpose. In Charleston and even other old Southern cities, the act of abusing an enslaved woman sexually was not practiced covertly (French, 2009). It is quite unbeknown to most people that the majority of the more than three thousand freedmen that live in Charleston are offspring of enslaved people and their owners.

The diverse experiences gave rise to a new way of life. The Gullah who stayed in South Carolina adhered to some characteristics of their African custom-like their folktales, trade, and craft. They spoke English slightly mixed with their former language referred to some as a creole. The unit families of the enslaved people had a much greater sense of community. While enslaved people were not at liberty to marry or bear families by law, some slave owners sometimes allowed it. The owners often considered such arrangements to make their slaves relatively contented; however, there were other reasons. Offspring of the enslaved people were not only properties of their owners and extend the workforce, but an enslaved person with a family would hardly abscond as Charleston was somewhat a natural fortress; hence, absconding alone was very difficult let alone absconding with family.

To a large extent, most of the slaves were deployed to work on plantations. South Carolina possessed high slave labor as rice was the biggest cash crop in Lowcountry, which calls for about ten times the labor required to harvest cotton for instance (French, 2009). The majority of the slaves dwelt in cabins built on the plantation field that could shelter about ten or more slaves. The slaves were given clothes by their masters usually once a year, often at Christmas. They were also provided with a pair of shoes intended to last all year; however, the shoes wear out within a far shorter period of working. As a result, most slaves would work barefooted on the plantation. Slaves were given small quantities of food by their owners, so most of them had gardens where they had to make some money for themselves and also supplement for their meager meal. A good number of enslaved people were proficient in certain skills due to the nature of South Carolina’s peculiar institutions. Some of the skilled slaves taught their children and relations the skill. Most communities had watchmen and patrollers to ensure that slaves were not where they ought not to be.

In mid-1856, buying and selling of slaves on the streets of Charleston was declared illegal (French, 2009). Locals of the city found the act somewhat disgustful, perhaps even distracting, they had complained to administrators of the city. Slaves were regarded and treated as commodities. They would be fed well and even cleaned up to attract better prices. Enslaved people were responsible for all the cooking for their masters, themselves, and at the mart. Slaves that worked at the Mart were not corrected by physical punishment as buyers might be scared off by distinctive marks of a whip on the slave. Operators of Mart would rather threaten to sell a misbehaved slave far-off, of which, no slave wished for.

In 1860, enslaved people who had certain skills and crafts were sold for higher prices. An extra man – a skilled slave might sell for $1,550, which is about $35,000 in today’s dollars (French, 2009). A strong field worker, of good health, and youth might sell for $1,450. While an older slave might sell for a meager price, as low as $800 (French, 2009). Mostly, only wealthy people could afford slaves. The prices implied that about 3% of the white people owned about 95% of all the slaves in America before the war (French, 2009).

Reference

French, A. M. (2009). Slavery in South Carolina and the Ex-Slaves: Or, the Port Royal Mission. Michigan: University of Michigan Library.

The representatives of the State of Georgia were worried because of the constant assaults concerning the institution of slavery, which have created the risk of danger to the State. Hence, she wanted to remain in the Union, but without the probability of disturbance that could have touched the security of Georgia. The State was also unsatisfied by the actions of the Congress, which have frequently broken the line of its safety and well being. Therefore, Georgia did not have a desire to remain in the union without the guarantees of her security. The main compliance of Georgia was about the novel laws that at first were implemented in the north part of the United States, concerning the social equality. Their purpose was about the annulment of slave status, and giving the African representatives the full rights of American citizens. It was declared that “The Supreme Court having decided that negroes are not citizens of the United States, no person of African descent shall be permitted to vote for Federal Officers, nor to hold any office or appointment under the government of the United States” (“Georgia. Convention of the People” p. 18). The State of Georgia considered that before the Civil War, the liberation of the Negros would bring the unpredictable consequences into the war, which most likely would have appeared to be negative for Georgia.

The fact is that the opposite side, which was against the immediate withdrawal, was making the attempts to reach the golden mean. The opposite politicians were categorically against the hasty secession, as they believed that still, there was an opportunity for Georgia to stay in the union without being put to the risk, along with most of its rights that were providing its welfare. Despite the attempts of Herschel Johnson, the understanding between the contrary sides was not reached. Georgia had abandoned the Union for the sake of profit, without an aspiration to support the new changes that were arranged in the Northern States.

Works Cited

Georgia. Convention of the People 1999. Web.

The problem of slavery in the United States is a complex set of socio-economic, socio-political, civil-legal, racial issues, the roots of which go deep into American history. The video published by Annenberg Learner (2019) describes the confrontation development between the North and the South, investigating the human side of historical changes. The main points highlighted in the lecture are focused on the socio-economic differences between the two systems, the actual life of slaves, and methods of blacks’ rebellion.

To begin with, it is worth noting that the two regions constituting a union, in fact, were not that culturally and ideologically different. The American society of the 1860s remained, with scarce exceptions, deeply racist. The North, in this respect, perhaps even ahead of the South, where whites at least did not shy away from living with their black slaves under the same roof. Slavery in the North was abolished not for religious and moral, but for economic reasons. Because of the climate, such labor-intensive sectors of agriculture as rice growing, cotton growing, tobacco growing, where slave labor had the most significant effect, simply did not develop. The way the slaves’ liberation was carried out says a lot about the northern society, the degree of its infection with xenophobia.

Moreover, the North and the South shared economic interests since both aspired to develop western territories, the construction of railways. The South also used northern ships to conquer new markets. However, as pointed out in the video, the Northerners did criticize southern slavery for its cruelty and barbarism, depicting horrifying stories of black people suffering from the rules of institutions in which they found themselves, at the same time having the same desires and dreams as other Americans.

Furthermore, the second point concerns the life of slaves and how it used to be perceived in the South as opposed to the ideas shared in the North in this regard. Southerners justified the slavery system primarily by claiming that blacks were much happier and safer. Moreover, the slave owners ridiculed and condemned the capitalist way of life of the northerners, considering a free worker much more powerless than the people of color. The main argument in favor of this position was that slaves freely expressed their identity by singing folk songs and preaching their customs and religion. At the same time, photographs of mutilated blacks and fugitives’ stories expose the southern system’s terrible side, sobering from the naive and blind belief that slavery will grant more freedom and tranquility. Thus, the actual life of people of color over time takes on more and more realistic outlines, explaining the true meaning of the songs of the enslaved ones.

Finally, the lecture details the opposition to the system by the blacks themselves. The striving for literacy can be considered an example of the struggle for freedom. Although this education was strictly not encouraged by the owners, blacks understood that the path to liberation lay through the ability to read, write and state their thoughts. Moreover, the new desired order was transmitted through songs, stories, and disobedience by the slave owner. People of color created a world where the weak win, and the slaves become free in fairy tales and sayings. They also sought to carve their free temper through petty and more severe defiance, from theft to physical abuse.

In general, the video shares substantial everyday and cultural moments that are important for understanding the slavery system and the preconditions of the American Civil War. However, several details remain unclear in this discussion. First, since it was noted that the northern states were even more xenophobic, why did they so vehemently criticize the southerners, who, in turn, did not shy away from being in close contact with the slaves. Second, given that the southern economy was lagging behind in development, why was the Confederation so opposed to capitalism, especially given its dependence on exports and the agricultural industry? It is hard to imagine that the issue of slavery was so fundamental that the southern states were even ready to leave the union.

Reference

Annenberg Learner. (2019). Slavery [Video]. Annenberg Learner. Web.

Introduction

While opposing the “commercial” activity of the slave trade in the United States in one of his lectures, Abraham Lincoln decried that “those who deny freedom to others, deserve it not for themselves” (McCarty 91). The epoch of slavery defined the darkest history in the evolution of the civilization of humanity; the results of slavery continue permeating the psychology of very “far” descendants of the slaves themselves. In this respect, the restoration of any dignity lost by any human should be a cause that is supported by everyone. Those who have human rights issues at heart should support the move by CARICOM to initiate legal suits against the merchants of slavery (McCarty 91).

The need to eliminate fully the modern day slavery is dependent upon the punishment of the perpetrators in the past. The lawsuit, in my opinion, sets a nape for the rest of the globe to follow. It asserts emphatically that the need to uphold human rights is fundamental and plays a significant role in the modern civilization. This paper seeks to offer a consummate discourse on the CARICOM lawsuit and its significance in the socio-political morphology (Brophy 165).

Justice and Freedom

The end of the slavery marked a new turning point in the history of the human civilization, and it opened a new chapter in the reconciliation process. The war against this dehumanizing act had been won eventually, but what awaited the victims and the perpetrators still remained unclear. The concepts of justice and freedom are intertwined. As freedom is sought, justice implicitly comes, but this was the missing link in the termination of the slavery. The psychological scars had been injected, and the healing process would take time. In this regard, the reparatory lawsuit by CARICOM is elaborate enough to serve in obtaining the justice and freedom for both the victims of the slavery and the perpetrators (McCarty 91).

Morality: Does the Reparation Case Meet the Moral Threshold?

CARICOM’s establishment, the National Committees on Reparations, while issuing its report, unquestionably admitted that the moral precinct of their demands to the slavery merchants is prominent enough to sustain an apology and compensation in one way or the other. Of course, this is an admissible fact; the impact of slavery on both the victims and their descendants was a mockery of the moral obligations of the humanity to respect the dignity of each other. It “bleached” the basic tenets of freedom and entirely “bended” the antennae of ethical values regarding the treatment of “free” humans. This affirmation is conclusive enough that CARICOM is justified in the pursuance of the case and making the demands to the perpetrators of the crime (Burnard 191).

It is in the interests of setting precedence in the fight for human rights that this case is anchored. As mentioned earlier, the sociological and economic impact of slavery continues reverberating throughout the history; the loss of “artisanship” is still very prominent in the affected societies. Mental torture is still witnessed in some of the victims due to the harsh conditions they have gone through; it is, therefore, understandable that the descendants would demand for compensation from the slave masters (Nemec 153).

The “living legacies” of these crimes are persistent in the Caribbean society to date. According to the Caribbean nations, these “legacies” should be entirely addressed so that forgiveness is achieved. The compensation for the losses is the most important though as a result of such degrading activities. It is, therefore, factual to admit that CARICOM has a very solid reasoning in the reparation case as far as the moral and ethical reasoning is concerned (Burnard 185).

“Contemporary Injustice” as Opposed to the Thought of “Historical Suffering”

CARICOM has unequivocally stated that the tenets of the lawsuit should be anchored on the need to address explicitly the contemporary issues brought forth by slavery. The factual admission is that historical issues have been surpassed by events, therefore, CARICOM takes note of the impacts of these historical injustices on the current society. Specifically, it has laid emphasis on the descendants of the slaves.

The need to address the issues of economic stagnation as brought forth by slavery tops the agenda of CARICOM in seeking the reparatory settlement (Burnard 187). It is estimated that Europe hugely “exploited” these societies in terms of labor and resources. The economic exploitation has been attributed to the current stagnation of the development in these nations. The slaves helped these nations to make millions of dollars. All this wealth, unfortunately, was “shipped abroad”. The locals had nothing at all to lay claim to except being subjected to hard and forced labor. In this regard, the demand for cancellation of all debts in the reparatory case is considered as valid. These actions were obvious violations of the human rights provisions (Brophy 166).

Judicial Precedence

The concept of legal precedent, especially in cases involving human rights, forms a rather essential point in the CAMICON case. The institution of courts like the International Criminal Court has a solid role of setting legal precedent in their cases, this seems to be the sling that CAMICON seeks to use in the case. It is deducible that the court, in the interest of justice dispensation, will focus on the need to set a precedent in the judgment of the case so that such atrocities are dealt with well (Nair 569). The intent is to eliminate such ills.

Economic Exploitation

Any human rights defender should obviously feel the need to support the cause of the Caribbean countries. In actual sense, the most affected facet of life in the slavery issue must have been the economic aspect. I did mention earlier in this discourse that the unprecedented poverty levels in these lands are attributed to the economic exploitation by the slave traders, this is very admissible (Burnard 190).

As it stands now, the poverty index in these nations is overwhelming. More than half of the population live below the poverty line. For a critical mind, even though not entirely factual, the perception that this situation creates is that the descendants of the slave masters still hold on to the wealth rendering their services out of slavery whose genesis is the poor locals (Brophy 168). This perception, in my opinion, makes the pursuance of the case a very noble assignment of CAMICON. Equity should prevail especially in cases where human rights abuses were predominant, the defilement of human rights obviously impairs the economic arm of the human race, this maxim has been intelligibly adopted by CAMICON in their demands as outlined in the reparatory case and it is understandable. (Nemec 155).

Works Cited

Brophy, Alfred L. “The Case for Reparations for Slavery in the Caribbean.” Slavery & Abolition 35.1 (2014): 165-169. Print.

Burnard, Trevor. “Late Slavery and Emancipation in the Greater Caribbean.” Caribbean studies 41.1 (2013): 181-194. Print.

Nair, Supriya “The Caribbean Unbound: Cross-Atlantic Discourses on Slavery and Race.” American Literary History 14.3 (2012): 566-579. Print.

Nemec, Jeanne. “A Healing Community In The Caribbean.” International Review of Mission 69.274 (2012): 151-157. Print.

McCarty, Philip. Integrated Perspectives in Global Studies. New York: University Readers, 2013. Print.

Kevin Bales touches upon the problem of slavery in the modern world in his work Disposable People. Many people may think that slavery is the remnant of the past. Kevin Bales points out that modern people are more enslaved than in the past. He provides examples of modern slavery from Pakistan and Thailand to other countries. The book consists of seven chapters devoted to particular cases of slavery from different corners of the world.

Kevin Bales analyses five case studies in his work namely “sex slavery in Thailand; old-fashioned chattel slavery in Mauritania, with White Moor masters and Black slaves; charcoal-makers on the frontier in Brazil; brick-makers held inheritable debt-bondage in Pakistan, through fraud and dishonest accounting; and farmers in debt-bondage in India” (Yee, 2000). Bales presents the causes and results of these different types of slavery providing the experience of many individuals. He provides economic, political, and historical preconditions of slavery.

The key point of his book is that the phenomenon of slavery is impossible to be eradicated. Although some people consider themselves to be free, they do not even pay attention to the organizations or owners they depend on. Slavery develops in modern society more than in the past centuries. It is futile to look for the guilty of the spreading of slavery all over the world.

Bales has made profound research on many social phenomena captured in modern society. He has studied the current economic and political situations of the countries presented in his book that help him to present the phenomenon of slavery from different points of view. More than that, he refers to many historical sources in his book to present that the spreading of slavery is historically predetermined.

Bales differentiates two types of slavery in his book. The ‘old’ slavery presupposes the ethnic and racial divisions and legal ownership that has been developed since the pre-Civil War. The ‘new’ slavery is based on legal instruments that make other people enslaved. These legal instruments are contracts, loans, lending, and debts. If the slavery developed in the past was based on ethnic identities the modern slavery is based on the material state. Poor people are more vulnerable to becoming slaves and working for low wages. Modern slavery combines both types described by Kevin Bales. It covers not only individuals but the whole region. There are a lot of poor districts that are enslaved by rich people.

One of the main aims of Kevin Bales is the analysis and he tries to avoid sentiments in his book. He points out that it is very important to draw boundaries between slavery and poverty. He highlights this point of view in the following words: “slavery should not be confused with anything else: it is not prison labor, it is not all forms of child labor, it is not just being very poor and having few choices” (Bales 98). Nevertheless, he adds that these boundaries are quite fuzzy as far as modern slavery is often observed in poor countries than in developed ones. Kevin Bales do not criticize slaveholders in his book as far as morality is not the basic aim of his work. Slaveholders are not depicted as cruel and merciless owners who humble poor people. The notion of slavery is described as something inherited ethnical groups. The causes of slavery are found not in the cruelty of slaveholders but in the history of the nation (Book Review: Disposable People, 2011). More than that, the economic and political situation also should be taken into account as Kevin Bales points out. There are cases in modern society when people become slavery voluntarily. Nobody makes them loan money or conclude a contract making them dependable on other people.

Despite economic, political, and historical preconditions that may be considered as the causes of slavery Kevin Bales considers the law to be guilty in this phenomenon. If the law cannot protect people from being enslaved this law is failed. Apathy, corruption, and discrimination are good grounds for the development of slavery in modern society. The development of slavery is profitable for many countries in some way. The businessmen who discriminate against people paying them law wages have more profits for the development of their enterprise. It is an ordinary phenomenon when there are social divisions between the poor and the rich people. The high economic development presupposes in some way the development of ‘new’ slavery. Kevin Bales points out that slavery is quite difficult to get rid of completely. This phenomenon is inherited in human civilization. He states that “being free means more than just walking away from bondage” (Bales 253).

We may conclude that Kevin Bales has made profound research and provides several reasonable arguments supporting his ideas. This book is quite interesting for me as far as it presents the notion of slavery from economic, social, political, and historical points of view. This book is very useful for education, and it may be used during educational programs. Everyone interested in history should read this book.

Works Cited

Bales, Kevin. Disposable People: New Slavery in the Global Economy, USA: University of California Press, 2004. Print.

Book Review: Disposable People 2011. Web.

Yee, Danny 2000, Disposable People: New Slavery in the Global Economy. Web.

I believe that slavery makes sense from various perspectives. There are historical, Biblical, natural, and legal justifications for the institution of slavery.

From a historical perspective, slavery is justified because it has always existed. Various societies across different historical periods have had slaves. Examples of such civilizations include the Greeks, Romans, and English. Given that there is a historical precedent for the “peculiar institution,” it would be erroneous to dismiss slavery as something that is new. Americans should follow the example set by other great civilizations and continue this practice.

The Bible also shares the view that slavery is right. Some of the people in the Bible who found God’s favor had slaves. For instance, Abraham, who was chosen by God to be the Father of All Nations, was a slaveowner. If God did not approve of Abraham’s actions, He would have condemned him instead. Additionally, the New Testament instructs slaves to obey their masters as wives do their husbands (Wills). God did not outrightly ask people to stop practicing servitude, which means that He did not disapprove of this action (Wills). Thus, the institution of slavery is found even in the Bible, and it is not something that God condemns.

Slavery can also be viewed as a natural institution since some people perform better as slaves. Some ancient philosophers, such as Aristotle, believed that certain people are innately slaves. This includes people who cannot sufficiently think for themselves (Wills). They are better suited to receive instructions from their masters. Natural slaves might even thrive under servitude because this enables them to serve in their rightful and most comfortable position in society. The servants become more civilized and enjoy better living conditions. Thus, it makes sense for some individuals to be natural servants to others. Besides, it is expected that the superior will rule over the inferior (Wills). Human beings have never been equal, and the natural order of beings dictate that some people will be above others. Therefore, slavery is not only justifiable, but it is also natural.

Lastly, slavery is sanctioned by the law as evidenced in the Dred Scott ruling. In 1857, the Supreme Court ruled that slaves cannot sue their masters because the former are not considered US citizens. Furthermore, the court established that slaveowners are legally protected by the Fifth Amendment which considers enslaved persons as legal property of their owners (Nicholas 7). American citizens must respect the sanctity of the law and follow decisions made by the court.

As a white man, I do not find any major flaws with the institution of slavery. I believe it gives African Americans a shot at a better life. Some civilizations rose to greatness because of the contributions made by those in servitude. Slavery was also practiced during biblical times, and it would be a mistake to deviate from this tradition. Moreover, there are natural and legal reasons why enslavement is right. From whatever angle you look at it, America should uphold this peculiar institution.

Works Cited

Nicholas, Mike. “Supreme Decision: Roger Taney and the Dred Scott Case.”The Histories, vol. 5, no.1, 2019, pp. 1-10. Web.

Wills, Matthew. “How Antebellum Christians Justified Slavery.”Daily JSTOR, 2022. Web.

The fight against forced labor remains one of the world’s most complex problems. Most employers and factory owners are not held accountable because brand supply chains are so complex and lengthy that it is impossible to control every stage of production. Representatives of fashion brands sometimes do not even know where they get the raw materials to manufacture goods. Fashion product factories around the world subject women and children to forced labor. According to the U.S. Department of State’s Trafficking in Persons Report (2020), approximately 25 million people are still enslaved. The International Trafficking in Persons Report notes that of the total number of victims of slavery, 79 percent are women and children. In the fashion industry, the use of child labor, which is illegal in most countries, is common. Over 170 million minors are working in the fields and factories of the world. The exploitation of children for the needs of the textile industry has gained an enormous scale in seven countries – Egypt, Uzbekistan, Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, Thailand, and China.

Forced labor, including child labor, begins with the cultivation of the material. In India, for example, the world’s largest cotton producer, more than 400,000 children work in the fields every day (Caspersz et al., 2022). Underage girls and boys work in extreme heat for 12 hours, are exposed to harmful pesticides, and carry heavy sacks. At the same time, they are paid less than a living wage and hardly attend school. The problem of forced labor does not end with growing materials and producing fabrics. In the sewing industry, most of the operations are performed by children, not adults. Juvenile employees often dye fittings on clothing, sew on buttons, cut threads, fold and pack finished goods. Nike has repeatedly been implicated in scandals alleging the use of forced child labor in its production facilities. This paper will discuss the reasons for the accusation as well as the company’s response to them.

There are various reasons for the use of forced child labor in the fashion industry. The frequent renewal of a brand’s assortment – several times a season – forces the manufacturer to look for cheaper labor. Children are considered reliable employees: due to their age, they are obedient and easy to manage. The main reason for accusations of forced labor is that most of the factories Nike owns are in Vietnam, and they provide the lowest possible wages. Although Nike does not want to disclose the wages of its workers, it has been estimated that they are about $73.94 a month, equivalent to $2.6 a day, which is less than the minimum wage (Caspersz et al., 2022). Community activists also noted that the firm is moving most of its factories to China because labor is much cheaper there. In addition, child labor in factories in China is considered commonplace, and the law prohibiting such labor is much easier to circumvent. Nike could justify the use of cheap labor by lowering the price of its products.

However, the price for cheaper goods is too high in the context of human resources. Nearly half of factory workers are underage illegals; they have worse working conditions. Many of these workers are abused while working at Nike, which uses sweatshops for its laborers. In response to criticism and accusations, Nike published a list of 700 factories and plants where its products are made (Caspersz et al., 2022). The company employs more than a quarter of a million people worldwide. Most of them are women under the age of 25. The company agrees that the factories that carry out its orders often pay too little, workdays are too long, and there is not enough union presence (Hsieh et al., 2019). In five cases, the use of child labor, which is often not forbidden in Asian countries but angered the company’s critics, was seen. One-third of the factories had sexual harassment, physical punishment of workers, use of illegal subcontractors, and lack of proper safety measures. The list published by the company includes not only the names of factories but their addresses. None of Nike’s competitors have provided such information so far.

According to the head of the company, this is an attempt to achieve maximum openness, honesty, and accuracy as far as production is concerned. Thus, the firm chose the most diplomatic way of solving the problem – admitting its existence and taking concrete measures to eliminate it. For now, the situation with the abolition of child labor around the world is beginning to improve, which gives hope for eradicating the problem in the future. Nike promises to set up a special commission that will at least improve working conditions in the most troubled factories. So far, companies like Nike have brushed off criticism by saying that they are not interested in what is going on at their contractors on the other side of the planet. Now other companies can hardly avoid following Nike’s example.

References

Caspersz, D., Cullen, H., Davis, M. C., Jog, D., McGaughey, F., Singhal, D., Sumner, M., & Voss, H. (2022). Modern slavery in global value chains: A global factory and governance perspective. Journal of industrial relations, 1(4), 57-69.

Hsieh, N., Toffel, M. W., & Hul., O. (2019). Global sourcing at Nike. Harvard business school.

US Department of State. (2020). 2020 Trafficking in persons report. US Department of State. Web.