Masters (Past)

Almost all, if not all nations are guilty of having a system that unjustly discriminates

Placing different values on lives based on prevailing social, economic, racial or other man-made stratification

My mind takes a journey back to the times of the slave trade

And how slavery is a result of man's inhumanity to man

Regardless of the bias or perspective of storytellers and authors of history books

In my view, the sellers and the buyers are one and the same

Though separated by distance across oceans and lands

Their selfish, evil and greedy ways are one and the same

Choosing to be inhuman simply because of the possession of authority or power

I sometimes imagine what the conversations were like in those days

Buyer: Here a gun, a mirror, a pot of money or gold for these 'humans'

Seller: Yes, I accept. Take them, as long as they are not family, friends or kinsmen.

Some were bought, some were kidnapped, but all were forced to embark on a journey that started with torture

It is hard to even think about what was on their minds as they got on those ships

With no hope or inkling of what lies ahead

Survival then became defined on each individual's term

Some laid down their lives-standing up to the 'masters', so others will live even if just a little better

Some chose to patiently live through it all

Battling the inner spirit of revolt that naturally arise when stripped of every fabric of dignity

In the hope of an opportunity to fight for a future of freedom, however bleak it looked

Each group gallant and brave in their resolve, heroes in my eyes

Some chose suicide-sad that became an option, at a borderline between survival and pride

All are born free. Why should freedom be worked for?

If deprivation of freedom is for a measured jail term as a consequence of wrongdoing or criminal action, no eyebrow need be raised

But when that's not the case, there is nothing harder to try to earn through work than freedom

Especially when the terms are solely determined by the 'master'

If only all humans are valued equally

And it is common conviction that though the differences in color, beliefs, views, ideas

We all have blood flowing through our veins and mean a lot to some other humans

And that though we can't all 'fit in' or have equal power

We all are humans, deserving of dignity

Kudos to those leaders and tribes who rejected and fought to prevent the trade of their fellow human

And to all who worked tirelessly across the world to get the slave trade 'abolished'.

They share a light that I hope gets turned on in the hearts of all of us in this present day.

(c) Bilqees 2016