The Impact of Slavery in Contemporary History

Slavery, the ownership of individuals with particular attention on race and desire to grow and profit, plays an important part in this nation’s history. America, which today represents the land of freedom, was not always like it is today. Slavery partially led to the concept of freedom that we know today. As Snyder (2013) argues, American slavery started right after the European invasion, whose idea of profit and power was based on free labor. Furthermore, all countries, races, and cultures suffered from slavery. Slavery is as old as human civilization. It existed, for example, in different historical contexts. Many people believe that slaves were people of color, especially of African origin. However, slaves came from all races and some societies have continued with this practice to date. Slavery existed in the American colonies for several centuries, causing massive suffering and contributing to an anti-black prejudice that continues to exist in the United States to this day.  The history of slavery in the United States has contributed to continuing racial bias in American society today, an ongoing practice of slavery, and, to some extent, the freedom experienced in the USA.

A Look-Back

Slavery contributed to the current state of freedom in America. Slavery was a trend that officially started in the 17th century in Jamestown, Virginia (Zambelli, 2013). It was believed that slavery was a necessary tool for race control, because southerners believed that free blacks were violent and posed a threat to whites (p. 56). Soon after, African slaves continued to increase in number in other colonies as well. There were Europeans, especially British colonists, who brought African slaves to their colonies. Slaves were brought in through Triangular Trade, which involved three regions: North America, West Africa, and Europe. This trade created a form of communication between these three countries. Slaves included males, females, and children. While the males were working in fields and plantations, females worked in the house and took care of cleaning and cooking. Slavery was the cheapest and most efficient form of labor to make a profit. However, the harsh punishments, pain, and suffering it bought along forced the slave workers to fight for their freedom. Civil War helped end slavery the US, and the Emancipation of Proclamation lead by Abraham Lincoln in 1863 set free millions of slaves (Zambelli 2013). Were it not for the suffering that was used by slave owners, slavery would probably not be opposed as much as it is. 

Slavery is the wound that created pain in the 17^th century and continues to hurt people today. Even though it has been more than four centuries, this wound continues to hurt the same for people of this country. The pain, discrimination, and injustice based on skin color it affected people back then and continues to do so. Slavery is an awful practice which is part of American history and continues to be part of the modern world. Till this day America suffers from pain that out ancestries created. Our roots of discrimination are so deep that is so difficult to close them completely. Being part of the modern world it is up to us to create a society that is based on equal opportunities for American citizens.

Fighting for Freedom

The US Civil War was a major historical event for American history, as it paid important attention to the cessation of slavery. Henderson (2015) argues that the Civil War raised hope for freedom “recognition of former slaves” as free citizens established “a de jure basis” which set black populations free (p. 194). Until then, slaves had used many forms to fight for their freedom, such as showing resistance against their owners, slowing down the productivity of their work, and running away from plantations. None of these interventions led them towards their freedom. Their engagement in the American Civil War set them free. However, Henderson argues that the aim of the Civil War was to end slavery in the US. However, slavery continues to be a part of our society and it never disappeared completely. Many people believe that slavery came to an end with Emancipation Proclamation January 1863, issued by President Abraham Lincoln. The purpose of Emancipation was to free slaves that were part of eleven Confederate states. Slavery practices were allowed in states that were not part of Confederate.  True abolition of slavery was accomplished with the ratification of Thirteen Amendment on December 1865. The Amendment outlines that, “Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, except as a punishment for crime whereof the party shall have been duly convicted, shall exist within the United States, or any place subject to their jurisdiction.” As we remember the fight against slavery, it might be the time to reflect and analyze other forms of slavery that exist in America today. 

We Shouldn’t Forget 

The history of slavery nurtured the culture of discrimination that Americans experience today. American people must have equal opportunities and the color of their skin must not be used against them. Stone et al. (2016) point out in their research that remembering our past will help us not forget the suffrage that slavery has created in the US. The plantations on which slaves worked in the 17th century are now presented in the historic museum, representing a part of historical heritage (p. 204). Access to these historical events provides detailed information about the time and helps us remember the past. Plantations museums provide a part of our past where slavery was a norm of the time. Stone’s main idea is to present equality among people of different racial backgrounds and not let our past lead our future. Instead, he thinks that Americans should learn from it. His concept of modern society presents equal opportunities for all people despite their heritage and the color of their skin. Since the end of the Civil Rights Movement, Americans continue to discriminate against each other based on race, a problem that should have been resolved during the Civil Rights Movement. 

Slavery in Modern Era

American slavery took different legal forms and never disappeared completely. In his study, Magliari (2013) outlines that “Today, the USA is home to a slave labor force conservatively estimated to number 50,000 people” (p. 121). In the past, slaves worked in cotton and in plantations and were in charge of domestic housework. Today, we encounter the same resemblance. Contemporary slaves work in “agriculture, domestic service, and the commercial sex trade” (Magliari 2013, p. 121). Living in poor conditions, lack of access to education, and inability to find proper employment forces people around the world to trade their freedom for better lives. In the US, the law prohibits slavery. Despite this, it continues to exist and affects people’s lives every day. Magliari (2013) increases awareness regarding this issue and provides adequate information to help people in these situations and prevent human trafficking. The profit based on the exchange of freedom has to come into an end. We should learn from our past and create a world without scars. Freedom is important to American citizens and all citizens of the world, it is our duty to bring slaves into an end. Furthermore, numerous organizations such as Freedom United, Amnesty International, and Free the Slaves are available to aid people in this situation. 

In spite of the relentless efforts made by the government to end slavery, the contemporary world is still practicing the act. A report highlighted that “there were three compelling news stories recently about modern-day slavery in the United States. Ariel Castro, who enslaved three young women, and a child whom he fathered with one of his captives… Meshael Aayban, a Saudi Arabian princess… accused of enslaving one Kenyan woman and possibly four Filipinas… Ryan Balletto and Patrick Pearmain were transferred to a federal detention center to await an appearance in a Bay Area federal court on suspicion that they kidnapped, and enslaved, a 15-year old runaway girl” (Stevenson, 2013). There are individuals who still practice slavery today, about a hundred and fifty years after its abolition. The policies used to safeguard human dignity and the agencies concerned thereof, need to put more effort into ensuring that the different forms of slavery that are developing are curbed immediately. The contemporary form of slavery is relatively different from the former form of slavery in that, this form of slavery is not only inclined to a particular race but to a divergent race with multiple causative factors at play. 

The cases highlighted above depict the major races that are affected by slavery in the world of today. The report states “the enslaved in recent news stories have been European Americans, Latino/a, Africans, and Asians” (Stevenson 2013). This also translates to mean that the people who practice such atrocious acts are no longer limited to people in positions of power as was initially. The people highlighted are ‘normal’ citizens, who may or may not be reported to have suffered from a psychological disorder. In the cases highlighted above, for example, Castro’s form of employment was a bus driver, Balleto and Pearman grew marijuana in small scale, while Aayban’s citizenship depicts him as neither a permanent resident nor a citizen.

Ironically, the revenue generated through slavery in contemporary society is just as lucrative as compared to the previous years. In his report, Stevenson (2013) highlights that “slavery, nonetheless, produces an estimated revenue of $95 billion annually across the globe. The institution is lucrative today, as it was in the past”. This brings into question the levels of intervention made by the humanitarian agencies and the effectiveness thereof. The reason why slavery is still lucrative could be attributed to a number of factors, with the primal factor being the apparent need for human labor in relation to a given task. 

Notably, the ability of human nature to survive difficult situations is an admirable quality that many individuals who have survived any form of the traumatic episode have shown to possess. In spite of the brutality and psychological torture that the slaves had to endure, a quality that shows the determination to survive is one to appraise. In relation to the examples given above, Stevenson highlights: 

The brutal physical, psychological and sexual abuse that Ariel Castro inflicted on Michelle Knight, Amanda Berry, and Georgina DeJesus was typical of what black enslaved women endured over the generations. Michelle Knight’s description of her life of horrors and how she was able to survive it — through bonding with another slave woman — suggests the strength and importance of communal bonds as survival and resistance strategies of slaves in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries

Through this form of strength, the survivors of traumatic experiences not only baffle the world with their resilience and strong personality, but also help to show the social ills in contemporary society. Through their experience, the government officials and the humanitarian activists are able to understand the different forms of slavery that are evident today and find means to control these inhumane practices. 

Impact of Slavery on Politics and Racial Attitudes

Slavery has had a significant impact on the political power of the United States and racial attitudes. The major impact of slavery is premised on the Black Belt, which was the region that was the prime region for antebellum slavery. According to research, Southern politics were mainly concerned with Black Belt whites (Acharya, Blackwell & Sen, 2014, p.622). These whites were observed to have a great interest in propagating a culture, which made the white man more superior than other races. This culture also ensured that the white man played a significant role in the political arena. Therein, in order to instill this culture, the white men ensured that they took precedence over the Black Belt trade, which was majorly concerned with the trade of slaves across the United States. This reason could be one of the reasons that, to date, the whites living in this region are more conservative compared to other regions across the United States. 

A World Without Colors

The United States of America’s Constitution states that “All men are created equal”, yet slavery has left a permanent scar on our nation. One reason for this is that slavery was supported by different levels of government. In a message presented to the legislature of North Carolina in 1885, McDuffie (2017) pointed out that “It is perfectly evident that the destiny of the Negro race is either the worst possible form of political slavery, or else domestic servitude as it exists in the slave-holding States” (McDuffie, 2017, para. 13). McDuffie was of the opinion that black people are destined for the role of dependent slavery at creation. He viewed slavery as a positive good that would be beneficial to all people free and slaves alike. McDuffie does not deny the connection between race and slavery. This position by government forces makes it hard for America to completely let go of this practice. However, it is notable that the US has made great strides in the war against slavery. This is especially through the aid of humanitarian agencies who advocate for the implementation of principles that are used to safeguard human life and human dignity across the world. The levels of slavery in the US have dropped significantly and the law explicitly discourages and prohibits slavery. Furthermore, human desire for growth and power should take in consideration humanity duties and not favor slavery of any kind.

Conclusion

Many of us think that slavery existed in our past; the truth is that slavery is part of our society today. Americans also still experience some of the effects of slavery such as discrimination in the US. While slavery was not limited to Africans and their skin color, they were the most affected. It is evident that throughout history, slavery has had substantial effects on the individuals subjected to it and on the parties involved in its abolition and its propagation. The people in positions of power have used slavery before to enhance their political agenda and, to a significant level, instill a culture that is evident in contemporary society. This culture is highly relatable to white supremacy, especially in relation to political influence. At one point, some organs of government tried to justify slavery based on it being profitable for everyone. With this in history, it has been very difficult for the US to fight slavery. Today, the slavery of children, females, and males of all races continues to thrive in certain parts of the world. In today’s world, it continues to have a negative impact and affects people’s lives. Awareness of such phenomena could help people in need and decrease the number of people in suffering.

References

Acharya, A., Blackwell, M., & Sen, M. (2014). The Political Legacy of American Slavery. SSRN Electronic Journal. doi: 10.2139/ssrn.2538616

Henderson, E. (2015). Slave Religion, Slave Hiring, and the Incipient Proletarianization of 

Enslaved Black Labor: Developing Du Bois’ Thesis on Black Participation in the Civil

War as a Revolution. Journal of African American Studies, 19(2), 192. Retrieved from

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Magliari, M. F. (n.d.). The slave next door: human trafficking and slavery in America 

today. LABOR HISTORY, 54(1), 120–122. https://doi-

org.chamberlainuniversity.idm.oclc.org/10.1080/0023656X.2012.759803

McDuffie, G. (2017). The natural slavery of the Negro. Natural Slavery of Negro, 1. Retrieved 

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Snyder, C. (2013). The Long History of American Slavery. OAH Magazine of History, 27(4), 23. 

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Stevenson, B. (2013). What the history of slavery can teach us about slavery today. Retrieved from http://newsroom.ucla.edu/stories/what-the-history-of-slavery-can-247972

Stone, M., Spangler, I., Griffin, X., & Hanna, S. P. (2016). Searching for the 

Enslaved in the “Cradle of Democracy.” Southeastern Geographer, 56(2), 203–222. 

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Zambelli, A. (2013). Looking at History Through an Economics Lens: A Short History of North 

American Slavery from an Economic Point of View. Social Studies Review, 52(1), 53–60.

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