Modern Day Slavery in the USA - Research Paper Example

? Modern-day Slavery in the USA The term slavery is generally defined as the denial of human rights and human dignity. But history of slavery transformed the history of the world, especially the origin, growth and development of kingdoms and nation states. One can easily identify that history of slavery in the USA is interconnected with the slave trade from African continent and it’s after effects. The slaves who were enslaved from the African continent were treated brutally (say, like animals) and were forced to work in the vast farm lands in the American continent. Gradually, the development in the political scenario of the USA transformed the fate of slaves. Now, one cannot blame the US government on the past deeds because slavery (say, slavery, forced work and slave trading) does not prevail in the USA. From a different angle of view, slavery in the modern age is entirely different because it is closely related to globalization and it’s after effects. Thesis statement: The transformation of slavery from older days to the modern age in USA proves that poverty and related factors manipulated the same but effective measures can reduce its negative effect in a multiracial society (special references to the modern-day Slavery in the USA). Slavery: definition As pointed out, there exist so many differences between slavery in the older days and slavery in the present condition. For instance, slavery in the older days exerted direct influence upon the salves. But now, slavery is indirect and it is difficult to differentiate it from forced labour or denial of human rights. Earlier, salves faced a number of problems related to human dignity and inhuman behaviour from their owners. Now, the situation is different and the present day salves are facing a number of other problems like poverty and it’s after effects. Still, the older definition of slavery is not applicable to present day salves because slavery is indirect and invisible. To be specific, modern- day slavery is difficult to define, but its negative effects curb the development of the society as a whole. The history of slavery The history of slavery in USA is closely related to the colonization of North America by the European settlers. As the renaissance spirit and geographical discoveries ignited industrial development in Europe, more and more sailors got interested in discovering new lands. In 1600s, some Africans from the African continent were enslaved by the British colonial authorities and were forced to do hard labour in North America (say, Virginia). This resulted in the unrestricted slave trade from Africa and slavery in USA. But the beginning of slavery in American continent was initiated by the Spanish invaders in 1500s. When more and more land was used for agricultural purposes, slave trade and forced labour rapidly spread to other parts of USA. The end of colonization resulted in the deterioration of slavery in USA. The American Civil War resulted in the abolition of slavery and forced labour. But Modern-day Slavery in the USA, in other forms, poses threats to human dignity and social development in general. How slavery is performed First of all, slavery in USA in older times was based upon unfree labor or all the main forms of slavery. Slavery under the landlords includes the restriction of basic human rights. The slaves were not allowed to be free from forced labor because slavery was not limited to any particular generation. When a human being is enslaved, his or her off springs will automatically become slaves. Besides, less or no money was paid for forced slavery. As the slaves were considered as animals or commodities that can be sold or bought, less importance was given to them. In USA, there were a number of slave traders who used to supply slaves to farm owners. As the slaves were forced to be loyal to their owner, they were forced to ignore the importance of human rights. So, one can easily identify that slavery in USA was brutally performed, without any human consideration towards the slaves. Modern-day Slavery in USA: Modern-day slavery in USA is much more complex than slavery in older days. Bales (2004), opines that “Slavery exists in the United States because factor in the U.S. economy, legal system, and immigration policy support it” (p.41). In addition, human rights violation, trafficking and prostitution, family related issues, poverty etc are the consequences of modern-day slavery which curbs the social development of American society in general. 1. Slavery and human rights violation in USA To be specific, slavery and human rights violation are interconnected. All the factors of slavery like human trafficking, forced prostitution, domestic services, sexual exploitation of children, forced labour in factories and restaurants etc leads to human rights violation and other social issues. When an individual (maybe, because of the lack of educational opportunities) is forced to be a slave, he or she is not aware of basic human rights. Almost all the employers are aware of the violation of human rights. But this does not help the individual to enjoy his or her rights as a human being. Instead it leads to conditioning and violation of human rights. One can easily identify that thousands of immigrants who are working in factories face the problem of human rights violation. They feel helplessness because of less scope for a new job. This leads to a number of related issues, which is genuinely rooted in modern slavery. In short, modern slavery leads to large scale human rights violation in USA, especially in unhealthy workplace environments. 2. Slavery and related issues: trafficking and prostitution Modern-day Slavery leads to human trafficking and forced prostitution. In USA, large scale immigration from third world nations and unhealthy living conditions (say, slum areas) leads to slavery. For instance, poor economic condition in the third world nations forces the immigrants to seek life in exile. But this ultimately leads to modern-day slavery. When an employer offers a job to an immigrant, he or she will become loyal to the employer. This imbalance in employer- employee relationship leads to exploitation like human trafficking and prostitution. When poor economic condition threatens survival, some of the modern slaves are forced to choose prostitution. This pathetic condition encourages human trafficking and related issues. Besides, the modern slaves who choose prostitution never escape from the same. Again, this leads to a number of family problems like stress and lack of social recognition. 3. Family issues and slavery in USA: poverty and related problems As pointed out earlier, modern slavery leads to family problems, mental trauma and poverty related issues. Slave trading in the older days forced the slave families to undergo forced labour migration. This drastically affected the families and resulted in parenthood loses. Besides, the children in slave families were forced to live away from their family members. This affected the emotional development of these youngsters. The family issues related to modern slavery led to poverty and related issues. For instance, malnutrition and ecological risks can be considered as important problems related to modern slavery. The emancipation of slavery helped the slaves to be free but it did not help them to be equal to other races in USA. For instance, the children from broken families face a number of problems in the field of education. When they lose chance for sufficient education, the future scope of employment is nil. In short, the after effects of slavery in older days deeply influence the migrant community and it reflects in the issues faced by them in the society. 4. Effective measures taken in USA against slavery The federal government plays the most important role in taking effective measures against slavery in USA. First of all, the Fugitive Slave Act of 1850 can be considered as the initial step against slavery in USA. Besides, the American Civil War in the year 1861 ignited the spirit of freedom in the minds of the salves who faced inhuman treatment from their labourers/ owners. The Emancipation Proclamation in the year 1863 by Abraham Lincoln helped the slaves from the clutches of their owners. Medina (2011), states that “The 13th Amendment prohibited slavery in the United States” (p.19). The 13th Amendment in the year 1865 helped the salves not to feel alienated in a different nation away from their motherland. In the present condition, the Untied States Department of Labor works against slavery related issues like involuntary servitude and the problems faced by domestic workers. In short, the effective measures adopted by the US government and its agencies are helpful to reduce the after effects of slavery. 5. Explanation The multicultural and multiracial society within the United States is totally against slavery and human rights violation. The different agencies that work under the federal government is trying hard to extend help towards the communities which face the after effects of slavery. The government is totally aware of the health issues and lack of basic needs faced by the slaves in the modern age. Bush (2000), states that “A final distinctive attribute of modern slavery lay in its immigrant nature” (p.14). Now, some of the immigrant communities from the third world and the African Americans face the problem of slavery (in modern context) in USA. But the innovative measures adopted by the US government reduce the after effects of slavery. The Untied States Department of Labor and a number of anti-slavery organizations are ever ready to provide help to the needy. In short, the innovative measures adopted by the US government, its different agencies and anti-slavery organizations reduce the after effects of slavery. 6. Findings The main findings are pointed out below. 1. Slavery in the older days and in the modern age is different; former is direct and the latter is indirect. 2. The history of slavery in USA proves that that the same was one of the consequences of colonization. 3. Slavery in the older days was brutal because it totally neglected the basic needs and human rights. 4. Modern slavery and human rights violation are interconnected. 4. Modern slavery in USA curbs the development of the society as a whole. 5. Modern Slavery leads to trafficking and prostitution 6. Modern slavery leads to family issues like poverty and mental trauma. 7. The innovative measures adopted by the federal government, the United States Department of Labor and a number of anti-slavery agencies is helpful to wipe out slavery from USA. 8. The multiracial and multicultural characteristics of the American society are helpful to reduce slavery related issues within the mainstream society. Summing, the definition of slavery in older times is not applicable to modern slavery. The history of slavery proves that the slaves were not considered as human beings but as animals or commodities that can be bought or sold. The modern slavery in USA is closely related to human rights violation, trafficking, prostitution, family problems and poverty. The Emancipation Proclamation helped the slaves to be free, but it’s after effects curb the development of the society as a whole. From a different angle of view, colonial mind set of the upper classes hinder the upward mobility of the downtrodden. Besides, globalization deeply influences rapid spread of modern slavery. In addition, the innovative measures adopted by the federal government, its different agencies and the anti-slavery organizations show progress. References Bush, M. L. (2000). Servitude in modern times. Malden, MA: Wiley-Blackwell. Bales, K. (2004). New slavery: a reference handbook. Santa Barbara, California: ABC-CLIO. Medina. (2011). Migration Law in the USA. New York, NY: Kluwer Law International. Read More