Black Liberation: Unmasking The Hidden Chains Of Modern Slavery

Photos: YouTube Screenshots\YouTube Screenshots

On July 5, 1852, at Corinthian Hall in Rochester, New York, Frederick Douglass delivered a powerful address organized by the Rochester Ladies’ Anti-Slavery Society. In his speech, Douglass declared that laudatory statements about American values such as liberty, citizenship, and freedom were a grave offense to the enslaved population who were denied these very rights. He highlighted not only the brutal captivity of enslaved people but also the relentless exploitation, cruelty, and torture they endured. Yesterday marked the anniversary of this speech, and today, as California considers reforms to its legal and penal systems, Douglass’s words resonate, urging us to reflect on how far we have come and the injustices that persist.

Contrary to popular belief, the Thirteenth Amendment abolished chattel slavery, however legal systems of oppression found new forms which included a clause that permits involuntary servitude as a punishment for crime. This sadistic loophole has evolved into a form of modern-day slavery within the prison industrial complex, disproportionately affecting Black and Brown individuals.

The systemic biases ingrained in our legal and penal systems perpetuate past injustices, underscoring the need for immediate reforms this upcoming election, such as California’s proposed ACA 8, commonly known as the End Slavery In California Act, and Proposition 47 (Prop 47).

Prop 47 was passed in 2014 and aimed to address some historically racist systemic issues by reclassifying certain non-violent  criminal offenses from felonies to misdemeanors. This bold measure aimed to reduce mass incarceration and relieve its devastating impact on communities of color.

However, this journey towards true justice and equality is ongoing and will take a collective effort to see equitable results. Recent discussions around amending Prop 47 highlight the need to balance public safety with the imperative of social justice.

– Angela Davis, American Political Activist

Indentured servitude—cloaked in the guise of American justice—represents a profound moral and ethical failing. Forcing individuals into such conditions is not only unjust but also perpetuates a system of human exploitation that we can no longer tolerate. It is imperative that we recognize and address these social evils which undermine the very rights enshrined in our foundational documents.

I stand with my fellow Americans and Californians in demanding comprehensive social justice reform and holding our legislators accountable for enacting transformative policies. We cannot continue to allow our leaders—whom we have entrusted with power—to hold individuals hostage and subjugate them based on past mistakes, depriving them of the benefits of their own labor. The monetization of human labor in this manner is tantamount to modern-day human trafficking, and it is our duty to eradicate such practices from our society.

Together, we must advocate for policies that protect human rights and ensure that every individual is treated with dignity and respect. The outcome of this legislation will affect everyone, including those who hold the power to decide. This is not just a call for reform; it is a call for justice and humanity.

This call to action is for everyone who has endured subjugation for far too long and continues to fight tirelessly for liberation, freedom, and justice. The ethical, moral, and social injustices embedded in our government are outdated, cowardly, and a blatant violation of our human rights. We have only one choice: to correct the wrongs of the past and eliminate the last remnants of legalized involuntary servitude. Supporting the passage of ACA 8 and Prop 47 in California is our chance to eradicate social evils in this land of justice and opportunity. What side of history will you stand on?