On Being Free

Today, I learned about an organization called Free the Slaves by viewing a TED talk by Kevin Bales. I had no idea that modern slavery was so prevalent. I certainly believed slavery still existed-- but not in the way that Bales described.

I then read an article where an author defended the French outlawing the burqa.

I then reflected upon my freedoms, other people's slavery, and whether the French really ought to outlaw the burqa.

I am moved by the efforts of Free the Slaves. My money is hella tight. But I think I'll budget a small, but continual donation to this organization. One day, my wife and I may even volunteer some time with this organization after we've cleaned up some financial issues in our lives.

And for slavery-- that seems to be what it all comes down to. Money. Slavery is driven by the allure of cheap labor. Modern slaves, according to Bales, usually walk into the trap of slavery because they are financially destitute. A suspicious character comes into the village offering jobs to everyone. Villagers get on the truck out of desperation only to never be allowed to go back home. After they realize they aren't getting paid and don't want to risk their lives in a rock quarry for free, they villagers try to leave. Unfortunately, they only discover that they are both too far away from home and brute force greets them at the gate as they try to leave.

That's when it hits them . . . they are now slaves.

But Bales also mentioned that a process is necessary for emancipation. True emancipation isn't accomplished by simply setting a slave free. A former slave must also be given a solid education and opportunity to earn his or her own living.

The United States could have benefited so much from this concept had they realized that during the 1800's.

So then, freedom isn't just escaping an oppressor. Freedom must be supported with education, finances, and a will to remain emancipated.

Perhaps freedom must even earned, in a sense.

Don't get me wrong. Well all deserve freedom up front. But because the world has so many oppressive people living in it, freedom isn't always the default option given to all people. That's why I say it must be earned. Perhaps, enforced is a better word.

But freedom must be enforced by those who want it as much as by those who lend a hand to help provide justice.

That how Free the Slaves actually does free the slaves; they realized that emancipation required that the slaves be active participants in their own freedom. They must want to be free and they must be solidly supported while they embrace independence.

And from what I can tell, the emancipated usually do.

But there are times when the object of emancipation does not want freedom for whatever reason. Many African-American slaves did not know anything other than slavery after slavery was abolished in the United States. And in a sense, returned back to slavery-like conditions in many cases. Not out of love for it; Just simply because they were dumped into society as second class citizens. There was hardly any leverage to become independent. So, slavery in a sense still continued for a time with African-Americans.

Now, I will turn my attention to France. Outlawing the burka is an attempt to enforce emancipation on people who may not want to be "free" in this sense. Of course, not all women want to wear a burka that wear them. But at least some do. Can you tell them not to?

I agree with the goal of setting people free from oppression-- even if that slavery is in the form of religious oppression. But freeing people that don't realize they want this emancipation may be of little use.

I think first, they have to want the be free. And those that already do want to be free, need a shelter or hiding place. They need support for their stance for freedom. Otherwise, they will be greeted with brute force for their "disobedience".

Set up shelters for women who are religiously oppresses to escape and start their own lives anew might be a good idea. And for those who still want to wear a burka-- expose them to the opposing view point. Educate them. Whet their appetite for freedom from the burka. Outlawing the burka may only make opponents cling to it more. Besides-- if they want to wear it yet it's outlawed . . . isn't that oppression, too?

They won't want to be free from it if they feel empowered by it. And they won't want to be free from it if defying that law becomes a badge of honor.

That's my two cents, anyhow. Now see how far two cents gets you these days.

I do think I can afford to give more than two cents as a donation to Free the Slaves, however.