engine of souls | forum 2

mre · Senior Member

Assignment #7: Modern Slavery

piracine · Veteran Member

To the honorable President of the United States,

Mr. President, I believe that slavery in the modern world is the biggest problem every person faces today, whether in the U.S.A or in a third world country. Slavery is when human rights are violated through forced labor, being owned or controlled by an employer, dehumanized, bought or sold as property and physically constrained, or has restrictions placed on his/her freedom of movement. Today we see different types of slavery such as bonded labor, early and forced marriage, forced labor, slavery by decent, trafficking, and the worst forms of child labor. Many people do not realize it but there are over 20 million men, woman and children that are modern slaves according to Anti-Slavery International. Thats over twice the population of Rhode Island, and barely anyone knows about it. There are slaves working as concubines in Sudan, child carpet slaves in India and cane-cutters in Haiti and southern Pakistan. The child carpet slaves in India are locked into the rooms they work, sleeping beside their looms or in sheds and living off of very little food and water that they earn from working. These children are not shown any compassion by their owners; they are just forced to work day by day. In west and central Africa children, mostly from Benin and Togo are sold to wealthier neighboring countries like Nigeria and Gabon for agricultural, domestic, and sex industry reasons. In North Africa Animist tribes from southern Sudan are caught and sold as chattel slaves to Arab militias from the North when they invade and kill their men, enslaving the woman and children. The Arabs consider it their traditional right to catch and own these southerners. These same slaves are physically mutilated to prevent escape and enforce their owners ideologies. Then in the Dominican Republic and in Pakistan bonded labor is used, mostly the labor of persons paying off debts but, as in the case of the Dominican Republic, by persons pulled out of their homes and forced to work under threats.

All these are caused by a few seemingly simple issues, like poverty, economic issues and need for labor. Abject poverty affects so many people that they look everywhere for some way to help themselves and their families, looking for better work or for some way to get rid of a few mouths that they have to feed. Also the losses of economic opportunities causes people to look for better opportunities in other places and in return they are treated cruelly. Other causes of slavery are all based off of the need for labor, whether in an army, an agricultural setting, or a domestic setting. These things all lead to people taking advantage of others and using them for their own needs.

Finally, Mr. President, we must adopt the following actions in order to end this problem. I recommend that the US government should do five things. First they should enforce the anti-slavery laws by increasing the training and coordination against slavery among law enforcements. Second, the government should improve monitoring of industries vulnerable to forced labor. Third protections for survivors of forced labor should be induced. Fourth a public awareness program should be enacted that informs all U.S citizens of the horrors and dangers of slavery today. Lastly but most important the government should create a national plan that will help to eliminate slavery in the U.S through the cooperation of all anti-slavery organizations in the U.S and in foreign countries. But that isnt enough, Mr. President, for individual people must do their part. Workers of anti-slavery organizations must be willing to help and willing to assist slaves in realizing that they deserve freedom. Other citizens who are not involved in these organizations can assist with donations to the anti-slavery organizations. Persons not involved could especially protest buying merchandise that may have been made by slave labor. For the same reason when retiring make sure you arent profiting from slavery, and ask that money isnt invested in companies that refuse to take responsibility for the slavery that could be supplying their goods. Also, vote for those who could make a difference to slavery. Lastly, those who are not involved in organizations could join and help inform others of slavery in the world today.

Leslie · Veteran Member

To the honorable President of the United States,

Mr. President, I believe that slavery in the modern world is the biggest problem we face today. It was estimated that there was anywhere from seven-hundred thousand to four million people in the world being held as slaves in the year 2001. The most recent estimate states that there are 26 million people held as slaves today. The problem is worldwide, their is not only one nation where this is occuring.One example of modern slavery is in n west and central Africa, where 200,000 children are sold into slavery every year. There are 126 million children working jobs where they are placed in danger. They are forced to work because of the debt of their parents, and are held in these jobs. In India, between 200,000 to 300,000 children are kidnapped and forced to work for food. It is believed that there are at least 20 million people in bondage. The southern region of Pakistan alone holds approximately 50,000 bonded laborers. Sudan, in the same area as Pakistan, is a well known home of modern slavery, with Northern African Arabs enslaving up to 90,000 blacks. This is not only an international problem, it is a problem within the United States. Forty-six percent of the people trapped in bonded labor in America are forced into trafficking. Annually, about 50,000 women and children are the victims of trafficking for sexual exploitation. In 90 cities throughout the United States, there are at least 10,000 people in a forced labor situation.

As you can see, it is an enormous issue, but one that is caused by the following factors: debt, profit, and government. A large percentage of modern slaves are bonded laborers, who are slaves because they owe a debt to their masters. As the city of Uttar Pradesh in India, where the entire population is in debt bondage shows, this problem is passed through generations. The cultural acceptance of passing a debt through generations, and causing the new family members to inherit the debt and become slaves allows the system of bondage labor to continue. Also, the depressed economies of many countries causes parents to unknowingly sell their children into slavery believing they are going to receive payment for their childs work The amount of profit generated from slavery also contributes to the problem. Human trafficking is a system in which a corporation can get free labor by paying anywhere from $40 to $90. If a person is enslaved and forced into prostitution, their captor generates a very large profit. The system of buying a person to produce products for you at no cost leads corporations to invest in cheap labor to maximize their profit. The third cause of slavery is government. Unstable governments that lead to depressed economies lead people into slavery because of the promise of better pay. The government also fails to act in many fields. In areas where early and forced marriage lead women into slavery, the government does not placed regulations in these practices to ensure that the women will be protected. The government also does not monitor businesses who are more likely to hire slaves for cheap labor as closely as they monitor larger corporations. The best way for the government to fix this problem is to begin regulation. Monitor previously unsupervised industries where forced labor is known to be a problem. Increase the regulations on human trafficking, and place harsher punishments on human trafficking violations. Also, the international branches of American companies need to be monitored to assert that they will not fall into the pattern of slavery and cheap labor. Create restrictions on what type of labor companies can use. The best thing the people can do is to not support companies that use slavery or cheap labor, and assure that their government officials are following through on any violations of human trafficking. They can make sure that products created by slavery are not marketed. Also, they can join organizations dedicated to ending slavery, or create awareness of the problem within their communities. The public needs to be alerted to this problem if we are going to fix it.

joel the not so brave · Veteran Member

To the honorable President of the United States,
Mr. President, I believe that slavery in the modern world is the biggest problem we face today. There are believed to be millions of slaves, roughly twice the population of Rhode Island, still today. Not only slaves; we are talking about 200,000 children ripped from their mothers arms, taking away form home each year. There is something seriously wrong with this. Slavery has always been wrong. It was outlawed in 1880, but the slave trade was stopped in 1808. Nearly 200 years later, slaves are still being shipped from Africa and other countries. The region where the most slaves are held captive and are shipped form is from Asia, specifically the countries of China, India, Japan, the Philippine Islands and other countries surrounding these. Believe it or not, Mr. President, there are between 500,000 and five million slaves in North America. It is believed that they are only being imported to North America, not exported. Although slavery is not legal anywhere in the world, every country and continent, except perhaps Greenland, either export or import slaves.
      Trafficking is just another branch of the horrible slavery crisis. Being an average of $90, many greedy, selfish and lazy people can easily buy a slave. Working in fields, mines, and restaurants, slaves could be anywhere. Slave traffickers are very tricky people, and will do anything to con innocent people into slavery, through a vast means of false employment advertisements, setting up misleading agencies (such as matchmaking websites, travel agencies, and modeling), and even kidnapping children with promises of teaching them trades. A majority of slaves are not used for physical work, however. Roughly 46% of all slaves throughout the world are used for prostitution and various other sexual activities.
      There are many reasons for modern day slavery, and they all must be stopped. The reason for every type of slave is universal; cheap labor. Cheap labor and profit (and possibly the feeling of power) are what has kept people from ridding the world of slavery. Slaves working in restaurants could be seen as valuable, unpaid labor. If one has a slave waiter/waitress, they require almost no job experience, and the owner wont pay them because they feel the person is inferior to them, as many slaves are viewed. People may continue to live in slavery today if they dont believe any other lifestyle would be any better. If they were captured from Africa or Tibet, for example, they may go weeks without food, clothing or proper shelter. They may even feel their owner provides protection, both financially and from the chance of living on the street in poverty. Empty promises and false job opportunities may lure unknowing people into slavery, and therefore causing them to remain enslaved with no hope out.
      This must be stopped. Slavery was outlawed centuries ago, and it should have stopped then. The greed and horribleness of these poisonous people must be ended in whatever way possible, Mr. President. The government should step in, as well as fellow citizens. Together, this world could rid itself of slavery. Some steps the government should take is flooding potential trafficking routes of slaves with militias and the army. Monitoring the flow of anyone coming into or out of countries, either legally or illegally, should also be done in order to stop illegal trafficking. Any work force or company, such as large industries (i.e., Wal-Mart, chain restaurants, industrial enterprises, etc.) should have a close watch on people who work for them; making sure all employees are actual employees and not slaves. After rescuing slaves from trafficking routes, the government should set up help for these poor people. Shelters, therapy, arrangements to go home, and other basic needs should be provided for these people to help them out of this horrible ordeal get to their feet. Lastly, the government should severely punish and imprison slave traffickers and owners to stop slavery once and for all, only after draining them of all potential information they may have.
      The community can also help the world through this endeavor. Organizations can be set up to help find and free enslaved people. Communities can set up protests and boycott merchandise possibly made by slaves. For example, if Acushnet believed that Wal-mart had slaves working for it, they could picket outside the store and not buy anything, hopefully putting them out of business, or at least freeing the slaves. Along with the government, communities can set up shelters for slaves that have been found and rescued. Alerting the world about slavery could also help. Information is a very strong weapon, and the more people that know about the crisis the more help the cause could have and slavery could end even sooner. Another possibility would be to aid already existing organizations, either by donating time or money to it. All of these ideas can be put into action immediately, and hopefully slavery can be ended, once and for all. Mr. President, please put everything said in this letter into deep consideration, and hopefully we can end slavery in 25 years, if not sooner.

-- Edited by joel the not so brave at 01:44, 2008-10-23

G. Larsen · Veteran Member

Mr. President, I would like to bring to your attention a very severe problem that the world is facing today. There are over 27 million slaves in the world today. It's not just a problem overseas, either. Just to remind you, trafficking is the practice of capturing people in one country and bringing them to another to serve as slaves. Many modern slaves live in places far from their homelands, do not know the local language, and were tricked into coming by traffickers. Each year, 14,500 people are trafficked into slavery in the U.S. Forty-nine percent of slaves in America are prostitutes or other sex workers. Included in that forty-nine percent are the three percent of American slaves who are children in forced sexual labor. Another problem with modern slavery is that slaves are less expensive now than they were in the 19th century, or any time, for that matter. Cocoa from the Ivory Coast, carpets from India, and countless other goods are produced by slaves and then imported to our country. I hardly think it necessary to describe to you the evils of slavery, but as you know, slavery has immense mental, emotional, and physical effects on its victims. As you can see, it is an enormous issue, but one that is caused by the following factors: economic hardship in countries and regions that traffic people out, greed in companies that results in the use of sweatshop labor, inaction by anti-slavery governments, and corrupt governments holding power in Africa and Asia. Finally, Mr. President, we must adopt the following actions in order to end this problem. I recommend that the US government should petition the UN to begin worldwide raids of sweatshops, pressure governments that hold slaves by any means necessary, and send Peace Corps members to investigate possible slave trafficking rings. But that isn't enough, Mr. President. Individual people must do their part too, such as by refusing to buy goods made by laborers in sweatshops or raw materials mined by slaves, by learning the extent of modern slavery, and giving donations to anti-slavery charities and societies.

James · Senior Member

Spoiler: To the honorable President of the United States,
Mr. President, I believe that slavery in the modern world is the biggest problem we face today. There are over 200 million slaves in the world. As many as 90,000 of them on our own soil, making it obvious to me that the Emancipation Proclamation and the Thirteenth Amendment did not end slavery even in the United States. Most of the slaves in the United States are prostitutes or sex slaves, but a significant chunk are agricultural workers who immigrated to the U.S. Many slaves across the world are enslaved in these manners, as well as being domestic slaves. The most extreme cases include the Talismanic sacrifice of children, which is brutal, painful, and has spread as far as the United Kingdom. Dinkas who are enslaved by Arab soldiers in Southern Sudan are mutilated if they dont convert to Islam, but their condition is so unknown Microsoft Word thinks Dinkas is a misspelled word. In India, children are locked up in a room where they work at looms making carpets for 14 hours, then clean and set up for the next day. In Pakistan there are at least 50,000 shackled laborers working to pay off debts, a practice that is common throughout the world. Slaves moved outside their mother country rarely have immigration papers, and if they do they are often false. They can be exposed to a number of domestic and health conditions, included domestic violence, psychological problems, and AIDS. As you can see, it is an enormous issue, but one that is caused by the following factors: Economic troubles in source countries, government instability allowing the traffickers to slip through and cultural and social traditions including caste systems that include a slave class. Finally, Mr. President, we must adopt the following actions in order to end this problem. I recommend that the US government should crack down on industries likely to use slaves for labor. They need to support independent agencies fighting slavery in other countries. Laws need to be passed better regulating immigration, as immigrants are the most at risk group in the United States to be forced into slavery. The Government needs to make slavery an issue, and this time one that wont tear the country apart, and make every citizen aware of the facts. They need to get on the ball about prevention of slavery, and ending of the servitude of those already in its clutches. But that isnt enough, Mr. President. Individual people must do their part too, such as donating to groups who buy slaves in order to set them free. They can alert authorities to any people near them who appear to be enslaved. Spreading the word about slavery in todays world can help prevent it from spreading and help others to know what to look for. Basically what Im suggesting is a nationwide neighborhood watch for slave situations. Boycotts would also be effective, not only of slave manufactured goods, but of slave services, such as prostitution. Since 46% of American slaves are prostitutes or some other form of sex slave, simply boycotting that aspect of society would be highly effective. Its up to the common man to end the common problem, and slavery

My Assignment

-- Edited by James at 01:51, 2008-10-23

-- Edited by James at 12:46, 2008-10-23

Jessica! · Veteran Member

To the honorable President of the United States,

Mr. President, I believe that modern slavery is the biggest problem that our world faces today. Did you know that there are over 20 million slaves at this present time? That is about twice the population of Rhode Island! Everyone knows about slavery from their history class, yet many fail to realize that the problem of slavery is still as prevalent as it was in the 1800s. It is not necessarily their fault, however, for modern slavery is much more secretive and unnoticeable nowadays. It also goes by different names. Bonded labor is when people are forced to pay back a debt they owe to someone through labor. These slaves work long hours everyday for years and get little food and shelter in return. Many times, their debts are never paid back. Another type of modern slavery is when young women are forced into early marriages without their consent. These young women are forced to serve their husbands and are often violently abused. Forced labor is a third kind of slavery where people are illegally recruited to serve individuals, governments, or political parties usually under threat of harm. Slavery by descent is where people are either born into a slave class in society and trafficking involves the trade of men, women and children from one area to another for the purpose of forcing them into slavery conditions. Perhaps the worst form of slavery is child labor where children are forced to do work that is harmful to their health and welfare.

Some examples of the horrors of modern slavery can be found in India, Pakistan, and the Dominican Republic. In India, child carpet slaves are kidnapped from their villages at the age of five years and are brought to locked rooms where they must weave on looms for food. The food they get is merely bread balls, onions, salt and a little water. These children (between 200,000 and 300,000 in number) are forced to work for fourteen hours a day and then must sleep next to their looms. Pakistani shackled slaves are a case of bonded labor. They work off their debts owed to landlords even though the government banned such practices in 1992. For sugar cane harvest time in the Dominican Republic, the Dominican army takes people off public buses or arrests them at work or home and drop them off at the cane fields where they are forced to work.

As you can see, modern slavery is an enormous issue, but one that is caused simply by poverty, the need for labor, and the corruption of governments and armies. Around the world today, especially in third world countries, there are millions and millions of poverty stricken people. These people will do practically anything in order to help their families survive another day, so they sign up for so called jobs advertised by slave traders. Unfortunately, most of these people realize too late that what they signed up for was not a job, but servitude. Also, poverty stricken people with many children might sell a few children off (primarily girls) in order to feed the rest of the family. The need for labor by companies and farms is also very great and like their ancestors before them, see the economic savings of using slaves for their labor. Slaves do not need wages and they can be bought relatively cheap from slave traders. Finally, the corruption of governments and armies contribute to this issue. For example, the Dominican Republic slaves I mentioned above are chosen randomly by the nations army. The very people that are supposed to be protecting the country and its citizens are helping the modern slave market. Does that seem right to you?

Mr. President, we must adopt the following actions in order to end this problem. I recommend that the US government should first rid itself of slavery in its own borders. We already have laws that ban slavery, why are they not enforced enough? About the same number of people who get murdered each year are trafficked as slaves in the United States. While 90% of all murdered cases get solved, only 1% of human trafficking cases are solved. And why is that? Because all police forces have homicide squads, yet almost none have squads that deal with human trafficking and slavery. More money should be given to police stations in order to train police officers in these crimes. Another thing that governments can do is improve the protection given to former slaves. Businesses should also be more closely monitored for slave activity. If a business uses slavery for its labor, the business should be cut off from any and all government aid. To increase awareness of modern slavery in the country, public programs and commercials should be put out. Lastly, the United States should work with the rest of the world in order to eliminate slavery once and for all.

But that is not enough. Individual people must do their part too if we are to abolish slavery in this world. Citizens should donate to anti-slavery organizations monthly in order to help. It does not have to be a large donation; the price of a movie ticket would do. If enough people donated each month, then there would be plenty of money for anti-slavery workers to use. Another way to abolish slavery is to speak up and educate people on the horrors of modern slavery. The more people that know, the more people that will be willing to help. Individuals should also refuse to buy products made by companies that use slave labor in order to put these companies our of business. The should refuse to have their 401Ks in business stocks that support slavery. Finally, people should use their right to vote to elect people that are committed to ending slavery.

In conclusion Mr. President, modern slavery is a substantial issue in the world today. It can no longer be ignored. I hope that you realize the importance of this issue and that you will do everything possible in order to end it permanently.

-- Edited by Jessica! at 02:21, 2008-10-23

-- Edited by Jessica! at 02:22, 2008-10-23

mfloyd24 · Veteran Member

To the honorable President of the United States,

     Mr. President, I believe that slavery in the modern world is the biggest problem we face today. Today millions of men, women, and children are still being held as slaves against their will. Slavery was banned in Africa in the 1800's, however, UNICEF estimats that 200,000 children alone are sold into slavery each year in the West and South African regions alone. North African Arabs own about 90,000 Afican Americans, and are sold for a minimum of $15 million. In India, about 200,000 to 300,000 children are being locked in rooms and forced to work for their food. According to the National Labor Rights and Education Fund, these children worked in "damp pits near the loom. Portable is often unavailable ... The children are often made to sleep on the ground next to their looms." Even though the Human Rights Commision of Pakistan has freed about 7,500 bonded laborers, there are still roughly about 50,000 bonded laborers existing. Human trafficking is also an issue. During 2001, at least 700,000, and possible four million men, women, and children are being bought and sold against their free will. Women and children make up the majority of this goup of slaves. They are generally traded for prostitution, and other sexual services. They may also be forced to work in sweatshops, and children may be taken and forced to serve in the milirary. For example, a woman in her twenties was trafficked into a bluejean sweatshop. She was forced to work twenty horus a day, to sleep on the floor, and had no pay. Eventually she escaped and imformed the police, who then raided the shop and freed thirty-eight girls. This is a very small feat when you take into account the millions of other slaves that are still laboring around the world today.
     As you can see, it is an enormous issue, but one that is caused by the following factors: false information, greed, and the feeling of superiority. Many people are tricked into buying small bonds, and end up repaying them with their own labor. It is possible that the loan is not paid off, and the labor will have to continue throughout generations. Therefore, slavery will have to be continued to free the family from debt. Also, a alrge part of slavery is fueled by greed. Slave owners'/traders' only intent is to make as much money as possible. It is because of this that they use slaves to work for them, as well as trade them. They keep the profit for themselves, and give nothing to their 'workers', who are actually manufacturing the products being sold. Another cause is the fact that many humans feel they are superior to others due to their race/religion/etc. Human trafficking is an example. Since the main vistims are women and children, it is perfectly probable that most organizers of this form of slavery are men. They most likely feel superior to these two groups, and therefore can force them into this field of slavery. This also holds true due to races, as we saw in American between whites and African Americans. Certain cultures feel that they may control others. A prime example is the control North African Arabs have over their African American slaves. Slavery also exists largely due to stereotypes. Some cultures view other cultures only fit for being slaves. Therefore, everyone born into certain cultures will automatically be considered a slave. This is again seen in America from its formation up to
1808.
     Finally, Mr. President, we must adopt the following actions in order to end this problem. I recommend that the US govenment enforce the laws already created against the use of slavery. This will not be enough. Therefore, they should create stronger and more effective laws prevnting slavery, and do everything within their power to gaurantee that they are one-hudnred perfent carried out. We need to investigate deeper into all slavery-connected areas, free all enslaved persons, and take into custody those running slave and human trafficking businesses. Once the slaves are freed, the government will need to create strong laws to protect the freedom of said slaves. But that isnt enough, Mr. President. Individual people must do their part too. They can help accomplish the complete termination of slavery by donating money to organizations formed for this very reason. Any amount of money will help this cause. A large help would be to organize more groups centered around the freeing of all slaves. This way there would be more funding, and more people to help stop this monstrosity. Those who are not up to a leadership position can also get involved with an already existing organization setting out to free slaves. They may also spread their knowledge of this subject. Educating others will involve more people about this extremely important cause. The more people who know about the ways to help end slavery, the more help will accumulate to help this cause. Organizations should also go into the school systems, preferrably middle to high school levels. Getting teenagers involved would be a key step to abolishing slavery. They are the future of our country, and therefore should, and will most likely want to be involved.
     Please take this letter into heavy consideration. This is an extremely important issue that needs to be addressed immediately. We cannot just sit back and let these acts continue. It will go against everything America stands for.

-- Edited by mfloyd24 at 03:25, 2008-10-23

-- Edited by mfloyd24 at 03:26, 2008-10-23

Tyler W. · Veteran Member

Dear Mr. President,I believe with the extensive research I have done, that slavery is a great issue that has been put as taboo in America. The problem has not been expressed as much as it should be. Millions of people around the world at this moment are in slavery. These arent just people who owe debts and work it off, they are literally shackled together and work long strenuous hours. Slavery comes in many forms from literal bondage labor, to forces marriage, to trafficking prostitutes. In my travels on the African West Coast, I have seen hundreds of children slaves being sold on the streets, and in other places. About 200,000-300,000 slaves are sold in this region alone each year. And these children are very young, and it is hard to see the buyers reaction and not be disgusted. I try not to believe myself, but I know that these children are sexually abused.In India, I saw children working in carpet factories. I was not able to get inside these factories and see the childs working conditions, but I did follow one of these children on the streets with his master. These children can only eat if they work, and have to work fourteen hour days. He was severely malnourished, and the bruises were still on his body from the recent beatings. I later found out that some of these children were actually sold into bondage by their parents, to earn a little more money. Though most were kidnapped from their villages and are forced to work for food. There is actually an organization that helps rescue these enslaved children called the International Labor Rights and Education Fund. There is another organization in Pakistan to free the slaves there called the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan. So far since 1995, they have freed over 7,500 of these people in bondage and thousands more remain in captivity.There are many reasons why there is still slavery in the modern world, but it all boils down to three main reasons. First of all, they are the cheapest labor money can buy. The slave owners paid nothing for them, and only put enough money into the slaves, just to sustain them. The second reason for owning slaves is that slaves are a valuable money asset. People are some of the most valuable things in the Black Market. Owners can get these people for barely anything, and then they would sell the slave for massive amounts of money. The profit is a gargantuan amount. The last reason why slavery is still in todays society is that they are an unhealthy sexual outlet for their owners. The owners of the slaves violate them anyway they can, any time they can. This is the saddest and hardest part of slavery, but we cant be blind to the fact that it does happen.There are serious steps that need to be taken to stop slavery worldwide. First of all in America, we need to punish human traffickers severely, and to make them an example to the rest of the world. This should be a minimum of life of prison with a maximum of capital punishment. We need to punish these human traffickers from over the border even worse, though. This should be an example to the rest of the world, but that is not enough, Mr. President. We need to also help private organizations in foreign countries, like the International Labor Rights and Education Fund by giving them money to help free slaves by any means necessary. My theory behind this is that not all governments want to believe there is a problem with slavery in their country, or they dont like America. We may need to help the countries covertly, so we can achieve our gold one way or another. We could free the slaves, and then prosecute the owners under the international courts. These are the extreme cases of course, where the owners dont want to get rid of their own slaves. I have another option though, if the owners want to get rid of their slaves with no strings attached, we could give them compensation for their lost slaves. This may seem unethical, but this is the farthest the governments can go by keeping the peace in foreign countries without using violence or aggression. This may be the best plan for the situation Mr. President, but Im leaving the answer to you, and I hope you take this plan into great consideration, considering the whole basis of this argument is unconstitutional.

R. Krupa · Veteran Member

To the Honorable President of the United States:

Mr President, after much research and investigation, I now firmly believe that slavery is one of the most devastating problems our world faces today. According to Anti-Slavery International, the world's oldest human rights organization, there are currently over 20 million people in bondage. Twenty Million!

The slave trade in Africa may have been officially banned in the 1880's, but UNICEF estimates that at least 200,000 children are being sold into slavery each year. Sudan is a prime example of this. According to 1993 U.S. State Department estimates, up to 90,000 blacks are owned by North African Arabs, and often sold as property for as little as $15 per human being. These Arabs see it as a right to enslave these people and use them as property.

These are just a few examples of the horrors being committed around the world. Other countries have slavery existing in them as well. Between 200,000 and 300,000 children are being held captive in India and being forced to work on looms. There are still 50,000 slaves in Pakistan, even though slavery has been outlawed there. In the Dominican Republic, the government endorses slavery to meet the sugar cane demand there.

Women and children make up the overwhelming majority of victims in most cases, typically being sold into the international sex trade for prostitution, sex tourism and other commercial sexual services, and into forced labor situations in sweatshops, construction sites and agricultural settings. This is an epidemic sweeping the globe that must be stopped.

There are many causes for slavery in the world today. These include, but are not limited to: bonded labor, in which people are forced to borrow money and then work for a long period of time to pay it back; forced marriage, which often affects young women and is associated with physical violence; forced labor, in which people are physically forced to perform tasks under threat of violence; slavery by descent, in which a family can be held captive for generations; and human trafficking, which involves taking people away from their homes to different regions to work, much like the slave trade of 19^th century America.

Trafficking remains a problem in the United States today. Colin Powell, while serving as Secretary of State, reported that some 50,000 women and children are trafficked annually for sexual exploitation into the United States. "Here and abroad," said Powell, "the victims of trafficking toil under inhuman conditions -- in brothels, sweatshops, fields and even in private homes."

This report is a step in the right direction. Many things can be done to prevent human trafficking and other forms of slavery, especially here in the United States. The U.S. government has done several things to hinder the continuation of slavery within the country's borders. For example, the "Trafficking Victims Protection Act" was introduced in 2000 to "combat trafficking of persons, especially into the sex trade, slavery, and slavery-like conditions in the United States and countries around the world through prevention, through prosecution and enforcement against traffickers, and through protection and assistance to victims of trafficking." The Act defined new crimes, strengthened criminal penalties, and afforded new protections and benefits to trafficking victims. The Act also requires several federal government agencies, including the Departments of State, Justice, Labor, Health and Human Services and the U.S. Agency for International Development to work in any way possible to fight person-trafficking. In 2007, the government spent $27 million in furthering the eradication of slavery. The State Department's Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking In Persons assists in the coordination of anti-trafficking efforts as well. In addition, the government has set up a hotline for victims of person-trafficking to ask the U.S. Government for help regardless of immigration status by calling this toll-free hotline number: 1-800-428-7581.

Individuals can help to further the efforts as well. It is strongly encouraged that, if anyone sees any sign of slavery or human trafficking, they should report it immediately to the authorities. Also, if an individual ever finds themselves as the victim of a human trafficker or feels threatened, that they tell the authorities as well. It is not difficult to donate money to any number of organizations dedicated to ending slavery in the world today, or becoming a member of one yourself. Another very important way for individuals to help is to spread the word about the devastating problem that is modern slavery. As the old saying goes, knowledge is power.

The research I have done has increased my knowledge of the activities occurring in the world today. I sincerely hope, Mr. President, that it do the same to the citizens of this country as well.

Thank You,

R. Krupa

ZachB · Member

To the Honorable President of the United States of America,
Today I write you as both a concern citizen of this nation and as Federal Agent. I wished to express my dyer concerns about an issue that affects all people, and this issue is that of slavery. To let you know that by the Anti-Slavery International, the worlds oldest human rights organization, states that the world has 20 million slaves and 90,000 are own our on soil. 90,000, Mr. President that number is out standing, a nation that believes in equality and all men are created equal is the number is disturbing. Our Thirteenth Amendment and Emancipation Proclamation did end slavery. Most of the slaves in the United States are prostitutes or sex slaves, but a significant chunk is agricultural workers who immigrated to the U.S. Many slaves across the world are enslaved in these manners, as well as being domestic slaves. The most extreme cases include the Talismanic sacrifice of children, which is brutal, painful, and has spread as far as the United Kingdom. Dinkas who are enslaved by Arab soldiers in Southern Sudan are mutilated if they dont convert to Islam, but their condition is so unknown Microsoft Word thinks Dinkas is a misspelled word. In India, children are locked up in a room where they work at looms making carpets for 14 hours, then clean and set up for the next day. In Pakistan there are at least 50,000 shackled laborers working to pay off debts, a practice that is common throughout the world. Slaves moved outside their mother country rarely have immigration papers, and if they do they are often false. They can be exposed to a number of domestic and health conditions, included domestic violence, psychological problems, and AIDS. As you can see, it is an enormous issue, but one that is caused by the following factors: Economic troubles in source countries, government instability allowing the traffickers to slip through and cultural and social traditions including caste systems that include a slave class.
Mr. President, we must adopt the following in order to end this problem. I recommend that the US government should crack down on industries likely to use slaves for labor. They need to support independent agencies fighting slavery in other countries. Laws need to be passed better regulating immigration, as immigrants are the most at risk group in the United States to be forced into slavery. The Government needs to make slavery an issue, and this time one that wont tear the country apart, and make every citizen aware of the facts. They need to get on the ball about prevention of slavery, and ending of the servitude of those already in its clutches. But that isnt enough, Mr. President. Individual people must do their part too, such as donating to groups who buy slaves in order to set them free. They can alert authorities to any people near them who appear to be enslaved. Spreading the word about slavery in todays world can help prevent it from spreading and help others to know what to look for. Basically what Im suggesting is a nationwide neighborhood watch for slave situations. Boycotts would also be effective, not only of slave manufactured goods, but of slave services, such as prostitution

becca · Veteran Member

Dear Mr. President,

Modern slavery is a pressing issue that must be addressed immediately. Presently the number of women, men and children enslaved is equivalent to two times the population of Rhode Island. These modern day slaves are held chained and held at gunpoint. In Pakistan, slaves are chained with leg irons. Slaves can be found as servants and concubines in Sudan, carpet cutters in India, and cane cutters in Haiti. Between 200,000 to 300,000 children carpet cutters are held captive in small rooms and forced to weave looms in exchange for food. Can cutters in the Dominican Republic are people taken from their homes by the army, and forced to work in the cane fields. A specific example of modern day slavery is the Dinkas in Southern Sudan. In 1993, the U.S. government estimated that up to 90,000 blacks were taken by these northern Arabs as slaves. In southern Sudan, there is also a thriving slave trade where people are sold for a mere $15. Slaves are violently treated and mutilated, not only to prevent escape, but also to make a slave adapt his/her master's ideologies. UNICEF estimates that in Western and Central Africa, over 200 million child slaves are sold from Benin and Togo to Nigeria and Gabon. What is even more disconcerting is that Security Powell reported that 50,000 women and children are trafficked annually for sexual exploitation, into the US, bringing this issue home. Mr. President, what type of message does this send when we call ourselves the land of the free?

Modern slavery is caused by poverty, demand for cheap labor, and lack of government intervention. For example, personal trafficking is stimulated by economic depression, natural disasters, and civil war under unstable governments, which make people vulnerable to falling into the trap of trafficking. Debut can bond generations of a family to slavery in order to it pay off. Another cause of slavery is the mindset of some people who believe they have a traditional right to have slaves.

Mr. President, we need to stop this problem immediately. I advise that the government provide funds for food, shelter, and safety from women, men and children that have already been liberated from slavery, so they can stay free and that the government enforces laws and creates programs that are specifically made to stop slavery and trafficking in America. Anti-slavery ambassadors should be elected to fight global slavery as well as local anti-slavery organizations to fight it at home. The government should also put funds into educating people about this issue. Individuals can also do things to help fight slavery. Spreading the word is probably the most simple, important and easy way to let modern slavery be known to our communities. Petitioning our senators and representatives to take action against modern slavery, as well as getting other people to do so is another important step. Making a small donation to an anti-slavery organization helps anti-slavery workers get what they need to free slaves and keep them free. Also, making monthly donations can help freed slaves attain security in their day-to-day jobs. Two final ways to help combat slavery is by not buying slave-made goods as well as divesting from any companies that might be have connections to slavery.

Mr. President, no one should have to wake up in the morning a slave. They should not spend their day without the freedom to chose when, what, or how much, they eat. Five year old children should not be working a fourteen hour day making bricks. This is unjust, and now more then ever, we have the tools to stop this immoral practice. Mr. President, I urge you to do everything in your power to end slavery and make it an issue of the past.

-- Edited by becca at 22:03, 2008-11-03

Walter · Veteran Member

Dear Mr. President,

I am writing this report directly to you about the problems of slavery, not only back in the 1800s, but how slavery is still a problem world wide now. Around the world there is an estimated 27 million slaves. This number is far to large for any number of people to even have to even be servants. Many people around the world think slavery only occured in our past but they are wrong. It happens all over the world today. Millions are forced to do tremendous amounts of work against their will because they are physically or mentally threatened. I believe the U.S. as a nation should call upon the UN to impose economic sanctions against countries that do have slavery still in existence. If those do not work i think it is our duty to undertak special ops missions to eliminate the slave trade and free those opressed around the world. Unfortunately many of the slaves around the world are women and children. I'm positive that if we do enough damage to slave traders around the world then we can help put an end to the slave trade.