Why do we ignore modern day slavery?

Slavery did not end, it’s just been updated in the form of human trafficking! Beneath you will find a video that I was recently emailed that features a song by Peter Buffet and Akon. The song is entitled, “Blood into Gold (Remix)” and was commissioned to heighten awareness of modern day slavery in the form of human trafficking. Human trafficking is a major problem throughout the globe, but flourishes in many places throughout the African Diaspora. Yesterday Buffet and Akon performed the song as a part of concert in observance of the 2009 Commemoration of the International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade. Also yesterday, during my Black Studies class exam review, students asked me to talk about human trafficking/modern day slavery. I explained the process and then asked them, “if we re-read history and ask ‘why did people tolerate or turn a blind eye to the transatlantic slave trade?’ then we must also ask ourselves, ‘was it not for the same reasons that we ignore the trafficking of humans today globally?” I am really glad this collaboration occured. The song and video (which features a great live footage compilation) and web resources provide great seeds for action. Please spread the word and also visit www.istheresomethingicando.com to find out how to move from awareness to action!



hattip to Drew Citron

Filed under: Ancestors, Art, Food for Thought, foreign policy, Health, memory, Questions, War, Youth

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  • Ashwini

    Thanks for the post. Many people don't realize that H-2B workers (i.e guestworkers) in the US are often actually trafficked, as they borrow huge amounts of money from loan sharks and then have wages withheld from them, leaving them in perpetual debt. Check out this terrible case of South Asian guestworkers and how the New Orleans Workers' Center for Racial Justice is litigating on their behalf: http://www.nowcrj.org/press-releases/guestworke…

  • Ashwini

    Thanks for the post. Many people don’t realize that H-2B workers (i.e guestworkers) in the US are often actually trafficked, as they borrow huge amounts of money from loan sharks and then have wages withheld from them, leaving them in perpetual debt. Check out this terrible case of South Asian guestworkers and how the New Orleans Workers’ Center for Racial Justice is litigating on their behalf: http://www.nowcrj.org/press-releases/guestworkers-sue-major-louisiana-grower-for-labor-trafficking-121008/

  • Brittany

    i watched the movie “trade” last summer and it opened in uncloseable door in my mind.

    too common.

  • Brittany

    i watched the movie “trade” last summer and it opened in uncloseable door in my mind.

    too common.

  • Brittany

    i watched the movie “trade” last summer and it opened in uncloseable door in my mind.

    too common.

  • Chula

    just posting as suggested: http://www.madeinla.com/
    good stuff here. there's also an org called Free the Slaves in DC that does a bunch of stuff. much love n respect to ya – Chula

  • Chula

    just posting as suggested: http://www.madeinla.com/
    good stuff here. there’s also an org called Free the Slaves in DC that does a bunch of stuff. much love n respect to ya – Chula

  • Chula

    just posting as suggested: http://www.madeinla.com/
    good stuff here. there's also an org called Free the Slaves in DC that does a bunch of stuff. much love n respect to ya – Chula