Reflections Week 9

This week were asked to write about a modern day slavery issue. While we were supposed to better understand the slave owner and his ideas behind slavery, it only instilled in me more hostility towards them. Nothing justifies or rationalized a decision to devalue and dehumanize a person through slavery, no matter what race, color, or status. In my research, I found out startling statistics concerning sweatshops present in AMERICA. I was shocked to learn how much forced labor occurs in our country, right under our noses. The idea that I might be supporting this mutilated idea of cheap labor is sickening. That is primarily why the issues I wrote about are things that Americans have the ability to end, if they are only more aware of their purchases.

In my readings and our class discussion, I still am bewildered by our nation’s own Presidents who incorporated slavery. I simply cannot believe how far we HAVE NOT come as a nation. To think that over 100 years ago, we fought a war to end slavery, yet it still exists today. Even with all the modern advances in technology, and laws established, we cannot dismember organizations and companies that enforce slavery antics. Though this week was less thought provoking internally for me, it was very eye opening and inspired a personal awareness.