// SLAVERY //

> Its probable that the first reaction you had when you saw the term "slavery" was to muster up an image of the pre-civil war, southern U.S. While the term is synonymous with that period, I aim to bring light to more than a physical slavery but one that exists much deeper than southern plantations and visual dis-similarities between the variety of us homosapiens.  In fact, it is an issue that our culture and world deals with every day.  It's even probable that you yourself have or are experiencing this form of slavery right now.

> The term "overcome" has been one that invades my mind frequently of late.  Originally it presented itself to me via an organization that uses shirt design sales to support various Non-profits and Charitable organizations. (www.sevenly.org)  The donation for that specific week was regarding the assistance of those effected by domestic violence.  The idea of the week was to give support and counsel to those families enveloped in such demeaning circumstances. This was set up in order for the abused to escape what they were so trapped by and also find counsel for those individuals that cope with mental distress attached to the physical abuse. 

>  I find it odd that we as society don't feel slavery is a common occurrence in our time.  Even in the physical term, slavery still exists.  Humanity still uses one another daily and there still exists those in chains; whose lives hang by a strand on a daily basis.  While the physical body being entrapped is a disturbing image, what is as demoralizing is the idea of the inner-self being held in subject to terror and abuse. 

>  The uttermost goal of the slave holder is to create an illusion to the enslaved that their plight is not only a common thing, but that being enslaved can help conjure a better life than what mere freedom can.  Once the holder has conveyed the idea of commonality, there is no question to whether freedom exists and escape isn't even an option to the enslaved.  You see, the ultimate goal of any bond holder is to create an illusion to prevent escape.  This tactic is used in a physical and meta-physical manners right now in our culture and world. 

>   It doesn't matter where you are or from what genre of world-type you originated, slavery effects everyone.  From a physical state, children are roped into becoming armies in Africa.  Those who command those children use the exact tactic as described above; warlords make children believe that they are worth more as a soldier and that they have a better life because of it.  This is dually creating an illusion that is physical provision but also mentally creating false security as a family of love and stability.  In slightly more wealthy environments this same principal is used to enslave those in the porn industry.  The curious part of this type of slavery is that for those involved in creating this illusion, [from those behind the camera and in front of it] the emotional struggle is almost more of a battle than the physical. It is so heavily dependent on emotional dependence and thus creates a great challenge for one to remove themselves from.  While one may have started their life down the path in pursuit of monetary gain, what they lack to see is what traps they are truly stepping into.  - Why would you step out of something that appears as if it is giving your emotional desires fulfillment? -Why would you step out of something that gives you financial security? And why would those who fund such addicting racquets pay so much to support their actors and actresses?  Because they make money off of them.  They make money off of selling other individual's bodies and making it seem to those performing that they are benefiting also.  Now add in the number of individuals addicted to porn [40 million U.S. adults regularly visit Internet pornography websites...(Internet Filter Review, 2006) - www.enough.org] and how in 2006 the porn industry worldwide made a revenue of 97.06 billion dollars. This creates commonality.  The mindset that easily enslaves is that if the world demands it so much, why would anyone ever view their purists or actions as something restricting or enslaving?  The question I have is how many individuals would say that those same actions and pursuits have truly created joy and love in their lives. I'm guessing very few, if any.

>  So, how does this matter to me? -you ask.  We have to overcome what is in our lives.  We each have something that doesn't want to let go of us.  Lets look at our family history for instance.  Often times you can even see a pattern in which whole families have been subject to their slave driver(s).  For some it's alcahol that provides the illusion of relief.  It may be the visual aspect of porn that has you believing that the person on the screen cares about your deepest desires and self-worth.  Abuse of others may be what spurs some to keep harming their children to make them feel a sense of strength.  Whatever has you chained down doesn't have your best interest in mind.  It wants to rob you of who you truly are and wants to steal any bit of love that truly exists in your life.  An individual can even do this to you; they can take from you physically and emotionally all they wish if you so let them. 

>  We have to overcome what oppresses us.  We must overcome slavery in order to become the people that we can ultimately develop into.  I'll leave you with this:  Many of you know who Johnny Cash is. ( If you don't please stop listening to LMFAO and listen to this for a second: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o22eIJDtKho ) Near the end of his life his music and lyrics began to change.  It became less about him and self promotion but rather revelations on humility and the need for something besides himself.  He sings, "I never thought I needed help before; Thought that I could get by - by myself. But now I know I just can't take it any more. And with a humble heart, on bended knee, I'm beggin' You please for help."  "Oh, lord, help me walk; Another mile, just one more mile; I'm tired of walkin' all alone." 

>  I don't know where you stand in your belief system and even if you want nothing to do with God, the above paragraphs are still relevant to you as far as us and humanity.  I know this, however; a lot of times we need something outside of ourselves to overcome what plagues us. Take it from Johnny Cash...we need help.

> Freedom is always a better course over the road of oppression, even if it hurts while pushing to find it.