Down to Slavery
The year 2007 marks the 200th anniversary of British and American legislation outlawing human trafficking. Yet, in those nations and throughout the world, slavery and the slave trade are flourishing realities.
On Abolishing Slavery (Again)
Kevin Bales is president of Free the Slaves in Washington, D.C., and a professor of sociology at Roehampton University in London. He is considered the world’s leading expert on contemporary slavery, and his book Disposable People: New Slavery in the Global Economy has become a recognized manual on the subject. He spoke with Vision on the subject of slavery.
A Quest to Free the World of Slavery
Book Review: Ending Slavery: How We Free Today’s Slaves. Kevin Bales. 2007. University of California Press Berkley and Los Angeles, California. 261 pages.
William Wilberforce: The Persevering Parliamentarian
Confronted with the evidence of the inhumanity of slavery, William Wilberforce concluded he, “would never rest" until he'd succeeded in abolishing slavery throughout the entire British Empire. The effort required a life-long commitment, and three days before his death in 1833, he finally saw his act passed in the House of Commons.
Amazing Grace and Courage
Billed as “a sweeping historical epic”, the film Amazing Grace released Friday February 23rd in theaters across the United States, is the inspiring story of the British Member of Parliament William Wilberforce (played by Ioan Gruffudd) and his historic struggle to abolish slavery in the British Empire.
Beatrice Fernando: Former Slave in Lebanon
Vision contributor Bill Buter interviews Beatrice Fernando about her experience of being sold into servitude in Lebanon.
Meeting the Challenge of Rescue and Rehabilitation
Jessica Donohue, the Director for the Trafficked Persons Assistance at YMCA International Services in Houston, Texas, discusses with Vision what is being done through coordinated efforts of key government and volunteer groups in Houston to rescue and rehabilitate those forced into human trafficking.
Maria Suarez: Enslaved and Abused
Maria Suarez was enslaved at the age of 16. Her captor, a 65- or 70-year-old man, abused her physically, emotionally and mentally for five years. A neighbor finally killed her captor but Maria was falsely accused of the murder and was imprisoned for more than 22 years until being pardoned by the governor or California. Vision interviewed her recently to see how she is coping with her freedom.
Human Chattel: A Brief History of the African Slave Trade
The year 2007 marks the 200th anniversary of the abolition of the slave trade. After long and difficult campaigns in the United Kingdom and the United States, both nations passed legislation in the pivotal year of 1807 making it illegal to buy, sell or transport slaves. Here is a brief history of the origins of the African slave trade.
Abraham Lincoln on Slavery
History credits Abraham Lincoln with preserving the Union during the American Civil War and bringing about the emancipation of the slaves. There can be no doubt of Lincoln's deep and sincere devotion to the cause of personal freedom. Here is just a sampling of his statements on the subject.
For More Information
Slavery is often well concealed in large cities, in sweatshops, in private homes using domestic workers, service industries such as food services and landscaping. It can also go without detection at remote locations such as in mines and on farms using migrant workers.
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