Did you know that the United Nations (UN) does this report every year, listing countries that are the most egregious violators of human rights? Countries still involved in the slave trade, even today. I didn't either. But, while waiting for an appointment in an office lobby several years ago, I picked a copy of Fortune Magazine, to pass the time.
As I browsed the magazine's topics I focused in on the UN's report on Worldwide Slavery. And, this was decades before the CNN reports on human trafficking. I was surprised to see that Albania, in eastern Europe, was the number one violator that year(2003). After a few minutes I was called in for my meeting , however, I did come away with one fact revealing fact. That being, for centuries most countries, cultures, and civilizations, at some point enslaved, and sold, not only other people, but also their own.
Slavery has been extremely profitable, and built dynasties over several hundred years. Exports of slaves from Japan were recorded in the third century. Throughout pre-modern history slavery came in, and, out of favor in China. And, sadly, today slavery is still rife all over the globe.
Now, the notion we've been feed in America is that people with dark skin were considered slaves no matter what their station in life, their education and training, or religion. Blacks were considered inferior to whites in every way. That was their destiny, with no hope of ever improving.
I bring this up because, in discussions about slavery and race over the years somebody always says "...well, how come Africans sold their own people into slavery"? I would ask those who say that to look at the history of their own ancestors. And that, takes courage.
As I browsed the magazine's topics I focused in on the UN's report on Worldwide Slavery. And, this was decades before the CNN reports on human trafficking. I was surprised to see that Albania, in eastern Europe, was the number one violator that year(2003). After a few minutes I was called in for my meeting , however, I did come away with one fact revealing fact. That being, for centuries most countries, cultures, and civilizations, at some point enslaved, and sold, not only other people, but also their own.
Slavery has been extremely profitable, and built dynasties over several hundred years. Exports of slaves from Japan were recorded in the third century. Throughout pre-modern history slavery came in, and, out of favor in China. And, sadly, today slavery is still rife all over the globe.
I bring this up because, in discussions about slavery and race over the years somebody always says "...well, how come Africans sold their own people into slavery"? I would ask those who say that to look at the history of their own ancestors. And that, takes courage.
