PERSONAL FREEDOM Vs MODERN SLAVERY
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Can we ever be really free?
Last several weeks I have been intensively thinking about various aspects of human slavery which never stopped to exist in every human society.
All human societies are based on hierarchy of dominance and submission which is today present on more subtle way then in the previous centuries but this major principle is deeply affecting the lives of all of us. ( as a healer, I explained some major points abut that problem in the Hub ENERGY VAMPIRISM)
Due to that, people usually do not feel free - somewhere deeply everyone of us has moments when one feels as slave, controlled by others, manipulated by others or at least not equal to the others. Somewhere deeply majority of people feel chained to the burdens of this life and requires that rules of modern society put on them.
Freedom is the highest ideal of humanity, but is obvioulsy goal which so often seems to be very much out of a reach. There is no slavery officially in democratic countries, so many of us do not even dare to say that some of us could be slaves. How many of us really feel completely free - temporary or permanently ?
According to my analysis, to become personally free, one needs at least:
- a lot of time for oneself
- balanced financial status (whatever does that mean for one individual in the certain moment of life, but one should be for the beginning free of debts)
- reasonably good health
- self-esteem which is high enough
- majority of life-traumas healed (so they cannot subconsciously act against the positive life- goals)
- positive visions for personal future
- self-created job
- enough of vital energy
- sufficient amount of some kind of support from the others - at least the others should not be permanent burden in someone`s life.
- one needs to develop ability to not to accept more responsibility then one is really able to care of
- one needs to be brave enough to desire that freedom
Freedom is very much connected with state of mind and emotions and ability to recognize power of free will within, and also individual limitations.
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Freedom and Free Will
Everyone of us has free will, but this free will mainly leads us to solve present problems, not to directly search for freedom. Solving the problems IS way to attain freedom.
Many people are also not aware that they we have any free will, so they cannot use what they do not know they have.
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Levels of Personal Freedom
There are various levels of personal freedom, but these several once are of main importance:
- emotional freedom -freedom of traumatic events in the past and freedom of co-dependent relationships
- financial and material freedom
- freedom at work
- spiritual freedom - freedom of religious prejudices and dogmatic belives
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Freedom and Money
Problem in gaining freedom is deeply connected with material possessions. Can one feel free without money and any private property while living in our societies? I doubt it. Altough freedom IS very much connected with state of mind and emotions, average homeless person without money can become only begger, prostitute or prophet ( if lucky) - and through that, not free again.
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Freedom in Human Society?
Human society will not progress so quickly to allow people to become free and dignified beings. We have high ideals and poor realization of these ideals, but eventually we will progress. After all, I do believe in humanity.
As a major obstacle to healing wounds of our societies which prevents us to achieve our high ideals is basic conflict of interests among various groups of people. This conflict leads us into the chains of slavery which is very often material one - as the poverty is.
Poverty is self-created by humans, by game of dominance and submission in which more powerful and greedy winn and weaker ones lose. This game is "ON" everywhere around - in every country, in every part of the world.
There is no need for wars, recession, poverty, personal slavery and all various problems humanity as a whole has - we have them only because some of people want to be dominant over everything and everybody else, and the rest of people allow them that dominance . As long as people allow that sickness to rule their world, they will not be able to set themselves free and will be continuously manipulated.
It would be very naive to expect that people will change quickly, new generations will have to solve that problem - for now, majority of people will stay living in some kind of modern slavery and obey various masters.
One can attain certain level of personal freedom, but only small percentage of people is ready to travel this road. Due to the fact that we live in societies, even when we reach needed level of personal freedom, we can hardly stay completely isolated of all influences of human society, which are so often stressful ones: we are all part of the whole:
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UN Declaration of Human Rights
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Article 1
All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights. They are endowed with reason and conscience and should act towards one another in a spirit of brotherhood.
Article 2
Everyone is entitled to all the rights and freedoms set forth in this Declaration, without distinction of any kind, such as race, colour, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status.
Article 3
Everyone has the right to life, liberty and security of person.
Article 4
No one shall be held in slavery or servitude; slavery and the slave trade shall be prohibited in all their forms.
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Slavery in Relationships and Families
There is a lot of slavery in relationships - much more then any of us is aware when we enter into the new relationship. Submissive status is in female genes, what make so many of us slaves of men even today. One of the examples is , so many women in the world who stay for many years deeply emotionally chained with men who do not even care for them (even if they left them with children).
In spite of their submissive traditional status , women can become worse dictators in family, then any men could ever be - especially towards their children. Well, when controlled one finally comes into position of dominance, everything can happen.
Traditionally family duties were in majority of societies for thousands of years clearly divided on female and male ones, women stayed at home and men were providers, and so called "providers" had always much more rights and higher position in hierarchy of dominance. The "leftovers" of that tradition exist even today all around the world.
Marriages can today become slavery for everyone, especially if people try to stick to traditional family roles. Well, even if they don˙t, women´s jobs are almost everywhere less paid, not to mention chronic lack of jobs in the world. High rates of unemployment make many of people slaves of their employees - especially vulnerable for that type of slavery are family people who NEED money for their children.
Married couple can easily become chained with bills, debts, high mortgages, big credits...especially if they have children while not being completely financially stable and completely materially ready for having children. People with children can be so easily manipulated - especially from employees or government to accept inadequate or disgraceful jobs for very little money what they would never do if childless.
So many people around the world misuse their children while foricing them to perform labour for them or leading them into sexual slavery. Because of money. We live in the world where children trafficking is alive and real - and the worst part of that story is that so often child´s own parents or relatives are deeply involved in act of sale . This is not happening only in poor countries - people sell their children even in the richest countries in the world.
(Human trafficking is the illegal trade in human beings for the purposes of commercial sexual exploitation or forced labor: a modern-day form of slavery. It is the fastest growing criminal industry in the world).
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Sexual slavery
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If woman is young and poor especially in poor country (as well as in rich ones) and not educated (because of poverty) to find a normal job, prostitution is so often only choice. Sexual market is constantly demanding new young bodies, and poor girls are getting almost nothing for painful and humiliating services they provide. As poverty is getting bigger, more and more girls (and boys) are being sold on sexual slavery market, so often with "blessings" of their families, like I mentioned in previous chapter. Tradition of male sexual dominance over the women and children has a lot to do with it.
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Except prostitution, colourful world of pornography, which is so exciting for so many, is actually just one form of sexual slavery of modern world Well, if you have any doubts about it, and you are man, try to imagine that you need to do all what one "actress" needs to do during her carrier just to maybe attain little peace of financial freedom, or more likely AIDS. Yes, you know what I mean - just imagine. Ouch! Believe me, they do not do it because of passion - they do it because they need money. Not to mention children pornography ! Men who act in such movies are also slaves - do not even try to believe that they really enjoy in "acting".
If there would be no poverty, no human greediness, sexual slaves would hardly exist. I started to wander weather the reason why humanity does not seriously want to solve poverty lies in the fact that so many actually so deeply enjoy having cheap slaves among the poorest ones ?
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Religious Slavery Vs Spiritual Freedom
Human society supports idea about slavery even through the religious myths and religious beliefs and many members of all world religions and spiritual paths force people into blind obedience mentioning "words of God". With the deepest respect to the all the best in all religions, I have never seen any god coming down from the heaven to me and ordering me to blindly obey any holy script, otherwise I would go to hell, but I heard so many people telling that to the other people. Blind obedience is pure human formula to manipulate and exploit the others, this has nothing to do with Divine being.
Religions and spiritual paths should be here to unite us, not to divide us. If they are dividing us, something is really wrong.
Even Apocalyptic prophecies are here to conquer and exploit people: if one is all the time afraid that world will end soon and that there is final judgment on the way, such person does not have energy and will to create his/her own freedom or any sufficient progress in the life. There is no point to do something materially useful for oneself when world will end so soon and God will punish everyone who doesn`t believe in that.
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It is long way and lots of questioning many of us need to ask and answer if we want to attain sufficient level of spiritual freedom to find out at least a bit of truth about this world.
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Why is Personal Freedom Important Goal
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I mentioned above only part of the story - people are so often slaves of their employees, politics, slavery is happening in all other fields of human activities, whenever somebody exploit and manipulates the others .
In such world real personal freedom is not easy to achieve and is even harder to keep, but is sacred goal of every person who wants to live as dignified human being. Personal freedom is only weapon we have against slavery of our world and only hope that could transform this pain.
Even when we achieve this goal, the real border of our own freedom will be determined by our compassion and empathy for the others who suffer unjustice of this human world.
Copyright: Tatiana-Michaela Pribic
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Tatjana: I am so glad you ended the hub with the hands holding the beautiful butterflies as I was freaked out by the nailing a man to a cross! Yikes, what extremes followers go in giving up their freedom to blind obidience for a religion that takes their power away. All man made interpretations of what the Divine is.
As I read your article, I was reminded how I felt I had no freedom when I worked in the corporate world. It was a blessing as far as my salary was concerned, and I needed that experience to experience self independence as far as being able to pay for my rent, etc, but yet it was binding too so I never felt at peace. I am glad I am away from that structure of work and stress.
You wrote a very thought provoking hub - freedom is indeed bliss and our human right.
Love and hugs,
Marie
Tatjana, this is certainly a thought-provoking article.
I'm not sure how often the average person truly thinks about personal freedom. I think it means something different for individuals and cultures. I do think in order to get a grasp of what it is, a person needs to have personal time to think and experience what we have come to label as 'free time.' Even the name, 'free time' is sad. We put ourselves into our own prisons, don't you agree? A person can certainly have a job or career and be free. A job doesn't take away personal freedom, it allows for personal responsibility which is necessary to understand personal freedom. Freedom starts in the mind. Even too much 'free time' can be enslaving.
It is beyond comprehension the stories above about slavery and is hard to look at. Somehow a thought triggered their desire to become a slave for a perceived 'freedom'. as always, excellent reading and wisdom in your words. love, light~~
Tatjana,
This is such a relief to know others realize the reality of slavery. So many people are slaves to one thing or another or maybe more to the point Prostitutes doing things against their free soul to attain what it is they feel the world expects them to have. Oh the slavery runs ramped and yet some of us are merely prostitutes doing it to ourselves thus using others making them slaves, which way the more tragic, forced or choice I know not but I love the way you feel with words and hope your desires will come to be known to many as truth, freedom and free spirits! Peace be with you and may you continue to soar free.
Such a complicated subject.:D
The freedom of the two women you started with is so easy to obtain, but so expensive. The price of living alone is just too high...:-)
A recent Documentary on TV showed a man experimenting with living alone in the wilderness, becoming completely idependent. 30 days later he was filming himself crying because he missed human contact :D
I forgot to add.. Henry David Thoreau wrote about this while living in the woods at Walden Pond. His book Walden is full of truths he gained from his experience.
I would add to this a thought about how we are slaves to our bodies until we die. Only in death do we truly become free.
Thank you, Tatjana, for yet another masterpiece. You raised and mentioned a lot of thoughts which is also my opinion. You are a fantastic writer.
Very strong story on slavery and personal freedom.
This is a great read I really enjoyed it!
Interesting Hub, Sad, Sad reality!
Tatjana, this was a beautiful hub. I am thinking of those 2 old women that you mentioned. I don't think it sounds right to live so alone. But, I imagine their happiness came from that freedom, and from being so close to nature. Engaging in nature can give you the feeling of absolute freedom.
Tatjana - that was awesome! I think you've tackled so many various ways we can be slaves to things in us and around us - and also what freedom really means. Those examples you gave speak of bravery - I just wonder how long before this becomes a matter of course and not something that is out of the ordinary. Freedom should be our birthright, not slavery, Bravo for a superb hub!
Slavery in some form will contintue to exist as long as humans do. As Shal says, freedom is our birthright but unfortunately freedom IS stealable, could be taken away by force too. For the remedy to come to play people need be alerted first. This article is a good starting point. :)
Bravo for taking on such a monumental world problem and for bringing it to the attention of readers. Some of the photos are shocking and disturbing, yes, but you have shown us enlightening photos as well. As with the photos your Hub demonstrates that all is not hopeless, all is not lost and that with worldwide recognition and action, we can begin to turn the tides of slavery. rated up and awesome.
What a great hub. Must Say, you have written it so well that I almost got tears in my eyes. I liked your other hubs too. Keep up the great effort. Joining your fanclub and would like to invite you to join mine. :)
Very interesting hub. I do not take the Bible literally, because it is used so often to teach female submission to males. My experience with males is that they grow very bored with submissive women, but put her aside while they chase women who do not submit to their every wish. They will keep her around for their emotional security and to do household chores much as a slave would do, but there is no longer any interest in her or the relationship. I never married, and am unwilling to be subordinate to anybody else. I am lucky to have wealthy family who assists when money is tight. I live in an old cabin, and have little materially, but for me that is superior to being the slave of an employer or individual male. Sometimes my life is lonely, but you can also be lonely with a mate, if that mate is no longer interested in you as a person. Thanks for an insightful hub. (:v
Mothers and Others by Anthropologist Sarah B Hrdy oulines how things have been different in the past.
The Sane Society by Eric Fromm addresses many of the themes of this post.
My views:
In a nutshell if we know everybody we deal with (limit ~150 people) we can have human relationships with few rules and hierarchy. More than that we have rules and abuse.
While the concept of matriarchal social structures may appeal (since we have gone to far in the opposite direction). There is evidence that they can be conservative and demand excessive conformity.
If history teaches one thing it is the evil of force. Persuasion if the only valid approach. But how do you reconcile the rights of a mother with the rights of her child, when the mother is emotionally crippled and unable to accept help?
I don't believe there is a satisfactory answer. The best answer I can see is to create an appealing environment in which mothers are educed from women rather than guardians and fathers educed from men. Where the great insights of the modern world are learnt by osmosis and humanity is valued above gread and power.
Beautiful poignant piece. I don't think mankind understands what personal freedom is, or how to attain it. Most are too wrapped up in material and personal gain. Mesmerized by the "Jones" lacking individuality.
Hi, Tatjana, in this day and age it should be different, but sadly, as you say others make our prisons, and we also make our own. A very well written account, really interesting thanks, nell
Your article is outstanding. Your words bespeak your huge heart. Many a philosopher has wrestled with these questions. Jesus said "The poor will always be with you" meaning there will never be this world without poor people. I believe him.
I do know some free people. They live off the land way out in the woods; grow their own food; have no modern amenities. But maybe they are still slaves to blight, soil, wind, weather, perhaps wild animals. In a society we enter into a social contract to live together, which does mean we must surrender some of our freedom. For instance I can't walk naked down the street because it might offend others. But we exchange some freedom to live in the society.
Every person born in America can be anything their talent, intelligence, and motivation can achieve. Some of the very poorest children go on to be millionaires here.
The old dream of equality of possessions can not be real without taking from some people—against their will (and their freedom)—and giving to others. Everywhere this has been tried—from small communes to the USSR—it fails because while everybody has the same: they all have far less. The fact is that human beings are not equal.
Let's say me and my brother each have an acre of land. If I grow 10 tons of food on mine and he doesn't grow any, it is not because I am greedy; it is because I worked hard. By Christian charity, I should personally make sure my brother has something to eat—but not that I must give him half of all I have. If the state takes half my crop for him then they are talking my freedom away: my freedom to possess what I have earned, and do with it what I wish.
There are two great truths about poverty. One, except in cases of extreme bad luck, it is the result of failure. Two, poverty is relative. Here in America if you make $20,000 a year, you are considered impoverished. But half the world lives on $1,000 per year. The guy making $20,000 can only be considered in poverty by one definition: Compared to others in his community. People in poverty today in America have a standard of living that would have been wealthy 100 years ago. So the big problem then is: envy. Wanting what other people have because they have it.
Equal rights means the state will treat us equally. If the state confiscates my earnings and gives them to you—it is not treating us equally.
All that said, I share with you deep sorrow over child slavery and sex slavery. Thank you for an excellent article.
Hello Tatjana,
Wow...I found this article very profound and powerful. Thank you so much for putting it together. I have "liked" it on Facebook so that others have a chance to read it.
While I read your article, I remembered the times that my parents' thinking and behavior made every effort to enslave me. Their form of teaching discipline was to incite fear of them by insisting on punishing me for almost everything almost all of the time...and my mother wants me to do the same to my daughter - which I will NOT! I do not want my daughter to fear me...but sadly, I think she is afraid of her grandmother.
My mother told me that I needed to work for an employer to make money...the idea of enjoying one's work was so very foreign to her..and to others in my family. They were slaves to their job, and do not think those who work at what they love (especially if it is not a mainstream-valued job) have "real" jobs. My Mother still thinks I need to be more gainfully employed (I am 47). I think that if I were to make more, most of it would go to taxes, because the rich here in the U.S. do not want to pay their fair share. Prices go up while income goes down, and more taxes (their/our hard-earned income) are taken out of paychecks...but god forbid we take an equal percentage from the rich without all those loopholes! :0(
In the meantime...I try to put all of my loving energy into raising a lovely, well-adjusted daughter with values that respect others' rights and beliefs. :0) I put my energy into my attempts to be published as a children's book author and an artist....and my freedom is in time to teach and play with my daughter each day!
I have an M.Ed. in elementary education, and my best achievement will be home-schooling my daughter for success in her life...with practical life skills that equal her other, more "academic" skills. I will give lots of room for her to develop her own, individual thoughts about things...experiment...make mistakes...with dignity, respect, and love!
Thanks again, Tatjana, for this hub!
Have I ever met completely free person in my country? I think yes.
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I met two free women in Croatia who completely independatly lived isolated of society:
- 35 years ago I had honor to meet one older woman who was the only one who decided to stay to live on small island Scedro . She had her old stone house and small pension from her deceased husband, few goats and whole island full of wonders of nature for herself. She seemed to be completely happy, content and balanced. She did not enjoy there any of benefits of civilisation (no running water, only well nor electricity, but no bills) - but she was fulfilled with happiness,
- 3 years ago I met one older (70-80) but very vital woman who lives alone in one empty village on wild mountain Velebit. Her personal property is as above - old stone house and small pension - but her eyes are full of wisdom and inner joy, and she looked so happy and free, altough conditions of life on the mountain are so far from standards of our civilisation, and we would consider them as very difficult, especially since she lives in the ex-village completely alone. Also no running water, only well, no electricity, no TV or phone. Do I need to tell you that this lady had much more energy then myself?
I doubt that such standards could be applied for anyone of us in the years to come , but these are very interesting examples of two ordinary women who certainly attained their freedom. They were not controlled by anyone, .
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Paraglider Level 5 Commenter 22 months ago
Well done for spreading awareness on these issues. The current global financial state is being used by many as an excuse to further drive down wages and conditions. You are right that it will take several generations to redress the imbalance, but that starts from individuals refusing to be subjugated, which in turn comes from proper education.