A Mistake Repeated

The most well known example of slavery is the enslavement of Africans in the New World. Conditions on plantations were appalling; long hours, brutal work and no pay. It took decades before the true nature of slavery was realised and the practice abolished. The campaign for the abolition of slavery was hard fought; many did not find fault with the concept. Eventually, however, the practice was relegated to the history books and people vowed ‘never again’.

Many people I have talked to find it hard to believe that the contemporary people accepted such a practice without question. I have also heard many ‘explanations’ for their acceptance. Mainly that the mindsets of the people were different at the time due to a lack of education. Perhaps it was believed that Africans were actually somehow in a different category of ‘person’ and therefore exploitation justified. I disagree with all of the explanations I have heard.

To see how slavery can be accepted by an entire population we need only look at ourselves. It is highly likely that anyone reading this has at least a dozen items in their own home that were made in China. Made by people who work thirteen to fifteen hour days, six or seven days a week. Made by workers who are driven to produce items at such a speed that their fingers blister and tear. Exposure to toxic chemicals is common place, as is a worker collapsing on the spot in fatigue. Diapers have even been issued in some factories so that workers need not get up to use the washroom. Their salary is a few cents an hour, two dollars a day if lucky.

Not only does our modern society accept this practice, it supports it fully. The companies that outsource to these factories are among the largest and most well known in the world. They support governments and election campaigns. Companies are not the only ones to blame, though. Every day people go out and buy goods sold by these companies, keeping them alive. It is impossible not to support the practice, as its produce pervades almost every aspect of our existence.

It is easy to suggest putting an end to this new form of slavery; however one must consider the implications of this. If this near-slave labour was abolished rapidly, the price of goods across the world would skyrocket. Very few people would be able to afford to buy even a quarter of the things in their home. Profits and employment would fall very quickly. The choice is: slavery or mass poverty. Quite a troubling catch twenty-two.

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