With the abolition of the Atlantic Slave Trade in the early 19th century, the slavery issue would appear to be one the Western world has successfully kicked. And though the U.S. is still dealing with the effects of its inhumane treatment toward a multitude of foreign individuals, fears and thoughts of slavery would seem to pose little threat to the great majority of people living in our free, capitalistic society.
On one hand, the West has great reason to rejoice as February marked the 200th anniversary of the Atlantic slave trade’s abolition, and yet several sources including the U.N., The New York Times and Amnesty International estimate there are at least 27 million slaves in the world today – a number representing a larger amount of people than the one during the time when the abolitionist movement took place.
Slavery still exists today. Whether it is in the form of bonded or forced labor, sex slavery or trafficking, how aware are we that slavery continues to take place on a global, national and local level?
There are 17,500 foreign individuals trafficked into the U.S. each year, and 50 percent of these individuals are children. Non-profit organizations fighting this atrocity report stories of Americans, some of whom are convicted pedophiles, traveling to foreign countries in hopes of profiting monetarily and physically from loose human rights laws.
Being aware of the world’s slavery problem is only helpful if it leads to social reforms. Martin Luther King Jr. said injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. So what are we doing to promote the sanctity of mankind through global freedom?
Last Thursday ACU invited an anti-slavery group, the Great Change, to speak at a campus-wide forum. Here the advocacy group not only informed students about how slavery is affecting millions of people across the nations but empowered students to change the situation. Just as leaders in the abolitionist movement 200 years ago made huge strides in eliminating slavery, we are capable of taking part in the movement to rid the globe of modern-day slavery.
Become an abolitionist by signing “The Petition to End Modern Day Slavery,” which is accessible at www.theamazingchange.com. One person cannot change such a far-reaching problem, but with the unity and action of likeminded people, the hope of change is achievable.
Instead of spending your extra cash to indulge your stomach in yet another Chik-fil-A chicken sandwich, give your spare change to the International Justice Missions’ based “Loose Change to Loosen Chains” campaign. Simply investing a small amount of cash to this organization can help emancipate modern-day slaves.
Lastly, allow your heart to be stirred for people living under such oppressive conditions by regularly discussing slavery issues in small groups. Being informed is the first step in advancing the abolition cause.
Celebrating the slave trade abolition anniversary and letting our response end at that would be naivety on our part. With the knowledge and resources you have to aid this world wide problem, join the Great Change to end slavery once and for all.
