A big thank you to everyone who replied to my post from yesterday, in which I asked for inspiration what to write about. I had some great requests and you know what? I'm going to try and cover them all. I see it as a personal challenge to write an interesting and informative post to you guys.
This request is from @euguma and he has asked me to write about Slavery. When he first made the suggestion I thought to myself 'that's a can of worms', whichever way I write about it, I'm going to piss people off. On the other hand, slavery is wrong, but it still exists in our day and age. So bringing the topic to the forefront again is not a bad thing.
Before I kick off, let us remind ourselves with the help of WikiPedia what Slavery is:
'Slavery is any system in which principles of property law are applied to people, allowing individuals to own, buy and sell other individuals, as a de jure form of property.'
Now many people in the day-to-day workforce might feel like they're treated like slaves, but this is not considered slavery as 'a slave is unable to withdraw unilaterally from such an arrangement and works without remuneration.' If you feel like you are being treated unfairly, most of us can raise the matter with a superior/union or they can look for another job. You have signed a contract, but you are able to get out of it, if you follow the conditions of a contract. Someone who is enslaved generally speaking does not have this option.
Slavery has been part of history as long as one person has been able to outmuscle the other. We even find evidences of this in the old testament and it still exists today.
Let me start off by saying that slavery is wrong, it's immoral, outdated and unethical. Having said that, I am convinced that most people in the western-society help encourage and maintain slavery in the world today. That was a very strong statement, but I honestly believe this. As long as there's money/profit to be made and people to be abused to reduce the cost of manufacturing, slavery will not be eradicated.
Just think about where ALL the parts of your smartphone are made, where does your t-shirt come from, that cheap indoor decoration for your living room, where was it made? Be honest and can you say to yourself that you don't have anything at home that you can't explain where it came from?
I can't! I know my iPhone has parts from China that were fabricated under harsh circumstances in a country that does not take the value of a human life very seriously. I know I've bought T-shirts in the past from H&M that probably came from India where people did not really have a choice and earn about $140 a month! Where does your fruit and vegetables come from and are you certain it's all biological and sourced under humane conditions? Or what about that diamond you got for your engagement ...
But we can even look closer to home, human trafficking and forced prostitution are still a theme today. We all want to pat ourselves on the back and say these issues don't exist in the western world anymore, but these issues still exist today. Women from Eastern Europe are brought to the UK or other countries and forced to earn back the cost of their 'passage' through prostitution and what about the refugees from Africa or Mexico trying to improve their situation by fleeing north, acquiring the help of dubious people who take their money and then need more to help them cross the borders.
If we as 'civilized' people really want to help and make a difference, make sure you know where you get your products from and that you are happy to buy those, knowing the circumstances they've been produced under? If possible, buy local food instead of imported, that way you also support the local economy, because I'm certain that your farmers don't have an easy life either. Look for the Fair Trade label, all fair trade products need to meet strict conditions.
Below is a map of the world with what items were made where through slave labour. As it is pretty unclear to read, you can also find the link here, so you can have a closer look for yourself:
This is the fair trade label, for those of you unfamiliair with it:
Whether it's toys, coffee, clothing or your technology, supporting slavery is a choice, if you consciously look you can opt for products that were not made under slave conditions.
On a final note, this was a very nice opportunity to familiarize myself with a topic that I don't know much about and I challenge everyone to come up with more topics for me to write about.
Thank you,
Doron
Something of luck in one day, you will become a millionaire hhh
Luck is something everyone can use. Thanks, I wish you luck as well!
@wolfje, this is amazing...
You did justice to the topic beyond my expectations...
My idea of slavery never covered the products that we use but now it does, all thanks to you....
Do you mind if I write on the topic the way I know it to be in Africa?
I'm glad I did you justice and thank you for the inspiration. Off course you can write on the topic. The reactions have been overwhelming.
I am done with writing (1st episode though).
You could take a look at it here. I hope you like it.
Man. Are there any steemit charities we can upvote? That would be impressive.
No, not that I'm aware off.
This is one of the greatest injustice done to humans and its still here today
Absolutely and as long as international institutes remain focussed on one problem and ignore the others, this won't change. But I hope with my post to raise awareness and if more people start buying fair product we can force a change, step by step.
This is sad and alarming. 😞 But you know what, this teaches us, consumers, a lesson that we should always pay a just amount for all the goods and services we get. There's no harm in being fair to other people. But sad thing is that's what's lacking in our world today - justice and fairness.
Absolutely and as long as international institutes remain focussed on one problem and ignore the others, this won't change. But I hope with my post to raise awareness and if more people start buying fair product we can force a change, step by step.
Wow!!! Modern slavery. High handed government officials are still practicing slavery on it's crude form.... Imagine the Adams's case. That's slavery at it's raw form.
Absolutely and as long as international institutes remain focussed on one problem and ignore the others, this won't change. But I hope with my post to raise awareness and if more people start buying fair product we can force a change, step by step.
You know I used to say eyes were black and unopened back in the days but what about now? Seems strange that the wickeness of people is still so strong for slavery to still exist in this 21st century, what a wretched soul we humans are!..
Please let's #SayNoToSlavery as a tag. Thank you all
Absolutely, nothing has really changed.
Very interesting post thanks for the info worth a fallow and up vote definitely! Thanks can’t wait for more!
Thank you!
It's so pathetic when it's happening in 21st century. When the world leads modern life. We need to more emphasis about it.
Good post dear. You did well. i appreciate you. @wolfje
Thank you
Nice post and knowledgeable post keep it up i am waiting your next post
Thank you
Slavery is an ongoing story everywhere but particularly in Mauritania.
Absolutely but as long as international institutes remain focussed on one problem and ignore the others, this won't change. But I hope with my post to raise awareness and if more people start buying fair product we can force a change, step by step.
I always try to be aware of where these problems are and to purchase accordingly.
If everyone did that, we would eradicate slavery in an instant. Thanks for setting an example!
Great post and so needed!! Good job!
Thank you.
We can make a change if we want to. Great post.
Absolutely but as long as international institutes remain focussed on one problem and ignore the others, this won't change. But I hope with my post to raise awareness and if more people start buying fair product we can force a change, step by step.
Yes i agree with you.
Hi @wolfje Do you know about child labor on Switzerland history? Could you write your next blog about it? Thank you.
I'm afraid I don't know much about that, I'm Dutch born, but I can definitely look into the subject. However I just did a post on this topic, so I'm not sure if I'll do another post about it soon, but I'll keep it in mind.
After my trip to Switzerland, I search any information about this issue and I learned something about this issue. You can check the link: http://www.bbc.com/news/magazine-29765623
https://www.quora.com/Is-it-true-that-Heidi-the-cartoon-character-represents-the-slave-childworkers-in-Switzerland
I am waiting your research and your blog. It will be interesting.
I just can't believe how some of that is happening in 21. century 😞
Cheap labour vs high profits, nothing has changed or will change as people remain greedy.
its a great story .....i am your new follower ......but i am allreday see your all post .....your every post quality amazing ....i love to read your post ...that's way i am followed you..... thanks for shereing this amazing type post ...wish you best of luck ....keep it up bro....
Thank you
I congratulate you on this publication, there are few people who know this type of slavery of large companies that keep for hire people who work up to 12 hours or more for a humiliating salary, for example in Venezuela is happening where people are working and only earn a dollar a month or less of that and they work up to 8 hours a day, here all human rights are violated and there is no one who manifests or helps because every time the government ignores or miso the NGOs that promote human rights , hopefully the leaders had the vision to help and not allow slavery, thanks for sharing this publication with everyone, I will be aware of your upcoming publications to give you my support
Thank you very much and it's sad to hear that these things happen in your country. I hate it that international institutions are focussed on one problem and neglect millions of people around the world who are starving or having to flee or have to work as modern day slaves.
It is sad that at this time you can still see slavery and even the sale of people as cattle or a simple work tool.
interesting post @wolfje, actually slavery on earth should be abolished because it is not in accordance with humanitarian law and justice
Yes, but as long as international institutions are focussing on one problem they don't have time or focus on other issues in the world and this is unfair to millions of people who are suffering from starvation, fleeing from wars or working as slaves.
yes I really agree with you
The problem is ignorance. Too many people are ignorant and can be completely brain washed that is a why slavery still exists.
But we can not leave out the fact that some forms of slavery are forced. This is where trafficking is involved.
i hope for a better world. Many people are keeping quiet about it because it is truly opening a can of worms.
Thank you for your courage on writing on this topic.
Thank you. Another problem is that as long as international institutions are focussing on one problem they don't have time or focus on other issues in the world and this is unfair to millions of people who are suffering from starvation, fleeing from wars or working as slaves.
wow. i just shared it and it was worth sharing. this is the essence:
"As long as there's money/profit to be made and people to be abused to reduce the cost of manufacturing, slavery will not be eradicated".
I strongly believe that the entire system of modern slavery capitalises on surplus value. slavery was never abolished. they just changed the outlook but the internal story is the same. sadly.
Thank you
its an incredible story . I am allreday see your every post .....your each post quality astonishing ....i love to peruse your post .
Thank you!
2565/5000
friend law your publication I agree with all the things that you mention there and I wanted to comment on several things I voi to enumerate.
1 ... this exploitation is suffered by most immigrants in other countries, for example I left Venezuela last year and worked 8 months in Ecuador, my first job was in a restaurant, I was raised at 5 in the morning to working to peel vegetables, I spent the whole day as an innkeeper and washing dishes, they closed at 8 o'clock at night and I had to clean the whole place, at 9 o'clock when I finished they gave me 5 pieces of rice to wash them at 11 o'clock the night and then like that every day, they offered to pay me 90 dolars a week, and when I arrived on Saturday the day they paid me, they told me to take 30 dollars that the work was bad and if I did not like that I left there, they treated me all Venezuelans who emigrated to Ecuador.
2 .. they made a comment there that in Venezuela the monthly salary is 6 dollars is true, but they also tell you that they work 8 hours and that they humiliate you, in that I am not in agreement venezuela is the most flexible country in the world in how much work, rather here the employees do what they please, is a country with much libertinism in everything, it hurts the government that we have that has spoiled everything, because if not had never left this country.
thank you friend for your post really motivate me a lot is the reality of our world
Thank you for sharing. This is horrible to hear about and I am astonished to hear how you changed your life around. Well done!
As long as international institutes remain focussed on one problem and ignore the others, this won't change. But I hope with my post to raise awareness and if more people start buying fair product we can force a change, step by step.
very nice and very informative post. i followed you because u always share valuable content,keep sharing such posts.very good, I am happy to share kind your important imformation.
many thanks to you this like shareing,
Cool to see posts like this that support our content creators. Amazing to see how much traction this one gained!
Follow me @mustafarazy
Thank you
Wow, what a great post! This is such a difficult topic even if everybody knows its never right to use human beings in any kind of way. I traveled a lot and saw some poverty that moved me. Back in the western world we need to remind ourselfs to be more concious. Thanks for the reminder and much love
Absolutely and as long as international institutes remain focussed on one problem and ignore the others, this won't change. But I hope with my post to raise awareness and if more people start buying fair product we can force a change, step by step.
one thing that you might mention is that decentralisation and crypto might be a way out for some of these people.
you can get on steem with a cheap smartphone and in a poor country making 1 or 2 dollars a day is enough to escape and start building a life.
That's true. Maybe a topic for a follow up post.
Definitly so real ..#saynotomorderndayslaveru
Absolutely and as long as international institutes remain focussed on one problem and ignore the others, this won't change. But I hope with my post to raise awareness and if more people start buying fair product we can force a change, step by step.
thanks ^^
Thank you for your post..I think that apple are treating people like slaves too, not paying them enough, staff falling asleep. Theres a documentary on it. Its just sad the way people ate treated. They are taken advantage of, and paid peanuts. Really sad.
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