According to many
published news reports, there are 250 children aboard a "filthy"
slave ship floating around in the sea adjoining Nigeria, Gabon, Central
African Republic, Benin. etc. that area, just under the large land mass on
the southern coast of West Africa. They are reportedly running out of
supplies and there is nowhere for the ship to dock since the authorities in
all countries are observing the international ban against slave trading and
vowing punishment for the crew of the ship.
It may appear to be cheap emotional journalism to paint a word picture of
the children at the center of this disaster, because this type of word
picture is so often overused by the media in pursuit of trivial events. But
this is not a trivial event. This is about the worst exhibit of human
depravity that has been seen for some time. Who is there to protect the
children? Who will feed them, wash them, sooth their heartbreak? Care for
their ills? Who will see to their sanitation? A rusting hulk of a slave ship
is not a luxury liner. Temperatures are always very hot in this region.
Because the ship cannot dock, with the children, who will prevent the crew
from throwing them overboard, as has already been rumored? Here are 250
children in dire circumstances and here we sit. Where is PETA (People for
the Ethical Treatment of Animals---humans are really animals, you know.)
Where is Greenpeace when there is a species (human) to be saved? Where is
NATO? The UN? The US Navy? Does the world just close its' eyes to this
suffering? Can't somebody go out in a gunboat and end this monstrosity and
bring the children to a refugee camp?
The practice of slavery has existed since prehistoric times. Usually one
tribe conquered another and sold the vanquished as servants to Muslim
traders who took the victims to seaports and loaded them on ships, some of
which came to America. The practice has changed somewhat, now purchasing the
children, 10 to14 years of age, from parents who can not feed them. The
parents are told that the children will get an education, and have more
opportunities as slaves. The impoverished parents give the children up for
as little as $15.00 each. The children work long hours in 'Chocolate
plantations' of the area and are mistreated, beaten, and never paid for
their work. They are slaves.
The slave traders and their accomplices in crime should be forcibly put out
of business. Transportation routes should be monitored so that the practice
does not re-occur. Only the dregs of any race, ethnic group or faith can be
so inhumane. No thinking person will sit idle while it is occurring. Where
are our Bleeding Hearts when there is really something to bleed for?