What is Slavery?

Slavery is often spoken of as an historical relic.  Yet a report on the United Nations web site claims there are nearly 50 million slaves today.  The U.S. Congress has in recent years enacted multiple laws relevant to slavery both in the United States and around the world.  The Department of Homeland Security is promoting a “Blue Campaign” to stop slavery, although they call it “human trafficking”.

So what exactly is slavery?  There are many definitions.  Basically, it is controlling and exploiting a human.  Of course, that definition makes it easy to feel that one is a victim of slavery.  Some feel that being forced to obey traffic laws is slavery.  Some feel that paying taxes is slavery, or at least paying more than 50 percent of income in taxes is slavery.  They may have a point, and a line needs to be drawn somewhere. 

The definition offered on this web site is that slavery occurs when a person, or group, with intent to cause harm, uses force, threat of force, or coercion by any means, to obtain control of another person, against that person’s will, for a duration, and as a result the victim’s freedom of movement, thought, or basic human rights is severely restricted.

The definition also includes what slavery is not.  It is not necessarily forced labor or sexual abuse.  The emphasis is on controlling a person where the person’s freedom of movement, thought, or human rights is restricted.  Slavery is also not just forcing someone against their will.  The key is intent to cause harm.  Forcing customers to stand in line to check out items at the grocery store may be against their will, but it is not slavery.

Thus, slavery is a crime.  In fact, there is an element of slavery in nearly every crime.  The crime of car theft may force someone to take actions against their will to find alternate transportation.  The victim may have to walk for a time and be so psychologically disturbed that their freedom of thought can be said to be restricted.  In that sense, basic human rights are being violated.

Thus, slavery happens.  Slavery and all crimes are illegal.  Yet they occur, and will continue to occur in human societies.  That slavery has been abolished by the 13th Amendment to the Constitution in 1865 only means the legality of slavery at that time was abolished.  It is no exaggeration to acknowledge that the crime of slavery has occurred in America to this day.

For example, recently it has been claimed Mexican drug cartels own marijuana farms in Northern California, and are recruiting Central American immigrants to come to the farms and work.  The immigrants are promised excellent wages, and as they are dirt poor where they live, are gladly willing to make the trip.  But once at the farm, they discover they are not getting paid anything, and they will be shot if they try to escape. 

Slavery in California has been extensively documented.  One example is the article in the Mercury News titled “Northern California marijuana farm kept us as slaves, brothers claim”.  [https://www.mercurynews.com/2016/09/21/california-marijuana-farm-kept-us-as-slaves-brothers-claim/]

Thus, there is slavery in America.  Anyone with a conscience wants to see it abolished.  The problem is that it is a crime, and how is crime reduced?  It is reduced by hiring police who arrest the accused, who if convicted in court, are given a just punishment that fits the crime.  Unfortunately, Democrats these days don’t want to take the first step and fund the police.

The purpose of this site is to encourage Republicans, and anyone who wants to see slavery abolished, to take action to do what is necessary to reduce, and hopefully abolish, slavery in America.  And in the future, work to abolish slavery around the world.