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