As we exit the month of February, flooded with Black History observances and information, we often find much emphasis on slavery. As I like to explore definitions I was especially intrigued with those of “slavery” among which we find the most common (especially during Black History Month) to be, “the practice or system of owning slaves,” and “a condition compared to that of a slave in respect of exhausting labor or restricted freedom.”
These are the ones most recognizable and remembered. I find a third one, however to be far more detrimental affecting so many in so many ways as it can neither be easily recognized, legislated nor controlled.
“Excessive dependence upon, or devotion to something (or someone).” How many of us are affected by and/or infected with this one? Drug cartels and pharmaceutical empires thrive on such excessive dependence. Much of today’s violence and crime (billed as “entertainment” on TV as with other media, is likewise based upon some form of such excessive dependence upon or devotion.
To my chagrin, I am increasingly finding myself subliminally locked in such position over the majority of my life as many others who have enslaved themselves with various fears and strong emotions (whether real or imaginary), from which prejudices derive. It has been wisely stated, “Prejudice is an emotional commitment to a falsehood that no amount of proof will alter.” This theory has certainly been proven to be as addictive and detrimental as any other form of slavery.
Among the most effective forms of slavery however, we may surprisingly find competition, instilled from infancy and continuously glorified through maturity. Even the most popular teamwork (stressed in sports) is determined through competition on modern society’s newest plantations, the sports fields and arenas of the world offering some players 6-figure salaries (with a zero-tolerance margin of error for some) making their hero status often shorter than their income.
The most frightening and out of control slavery of today however appears to be our addiction to the continuous quantum leaps in technology and social media making it easier to inject the poisonous venom of racism, superiority or inferiority of nations, cultures, religions doctrines and political empires or individuals within them. It should then be increasingly obvious that “ This world has indeed become too small for anything but brotherhood and far too dangerous for anything but peace.”
In order to free ourselves from today’s numerous subliminal enslavements let us begin by reversing the simple but effective Willie Lynch theory. Let’s outline and magnify the far more things that UNITE, rather than divide us while adding tolerance (often the first step); respect for self, the difference in others and in other opinions. We must likewise recognize all people as servants of One God.
At most it is this: some do not know, they must be guided and trained. They must be taught to love their fellow creatures and be encouraged in the acquisition of virtues. Some are ignorant they must be informed. Some are as children, undeveloped; they must be helped to reach maturity. Some are ailing, their moral condition is unhealthy; they must be treated until their morals are purified. But the sick are not to be hated because they are sick; the child must not be shunned because he is a child nor the ignorant despised because he lacks knowledge. They must all be treated, educated, trained and assisted in love!
