PLPlum
Captain21,007 posts
10 Jan 2025, 06:14#1
Modern-Day Slavery in Africa: Ignoring the Present While Obsessing Over the Past
Here’s the problem: when we talk about slavery, everyone loves to talk about the past. We hear endless discussions about colonialism, the transatlantic slave trade, and systemic oppression stemming from historical injustices. But what about right now? What about the slavery that’s happening today, right under our noses, in places no one wants to acknowledge?
It’s almost as if people—especially black people—focus so much on the legacy of slavery that they’re blind to the fact that modern-day slavery is thriving in Africa itself. And I’m not talking about metaphorical slavery or exploitation in a vague economic sense. I mean real slavery. People in chains, forced labor, human trafficking, women and children sold for sex, and entire lives owned by someone else.
Take Mauritania, for instance. This country has the dubious honor of being one of the last to outlaw slavery—in 1981. Even then, slavery wasn’t criminalized until 2007, and today, estimates suggest that around 2% of the population (tens of thousands of people) still live as slaves. Generations of families are born into slavery, inheriting their “status” as property of their masters. These people work as herders, domestic servants, or laborers, often subjected to physical abuse and denied basic human rights.
But Mauritania isn’t the only culprit. Let’s talk about Nigeria, the so-called “giant of Africa.” In Nigeria, human trafficking is rampant, with tens of thousands of people—mainly women and children—being sold into forced labor or sexual exploitation. The country has become a major hub for trafficking, not just internally but across borders. Women are promised jobs or education opportunities in places like Europe or the Middle East, only to find themselves trapped in brothels or working under appalling conditions in factories.
And it’s not just trafficking for sex. Children in Nigeria are frequently sold into forced labor. In the cocoa farms of the southwest and fishing industries in the Niger Delta, children as young as five are forced to work long hours, often under dangerous conditions. They’re deprived of education, malnourished, and beaten if they fail to meet their “quotas.”
In Sudan and South Sudan, slavery takes on another horrifying dimension. Armed conflict and ethnic tensions fuel a system where women and children are abducted and forced into domestic servitude or sexual slavery. In some cases, children are turned into child soldiers, forced to fight and kill for militias. Imagine a child ripped from their family, handed a gun, and told to kill or be killed. That’s modern-day slavery.
Libya, of course, is another glaring example, where the slave markets operating in broad daylight shocked the world. Sub-Saharan migrants attempting to reach Europe are intercepted, detained, and sold. These people are treated like livestock, sold to the highest bidder, and forced into labor, prostitution, or worse. Reports detail horrific abuse—beatings, starvation, and even execution for those who resist.
Ghana is another hotspot. The country’s Volta Lake region is infamous for the exploitation of children in the fishing industry. Parents, often out of desperation, sell their children to traffickers, believing they’ll have better opportunities. Instead, these children are enslaved, forced to dive into dangerous waters to untangle fishing nets, with many of them drowning in the process.
In Mali, the story is similar. Children are trafficked and forced to work in agriculture, gold mines, or domestic servitude. In the gold mines, these children endure hazardous conditions, using mercury to extract gold—a process that not only harms them physically but poisons them for life.
And then there’s the Democratic Republic of Congo, where modern-day slavery often takes the form of forced labor in mines. Here, people—including children—are exploited to mine for resources like cobalt and coltan, essential for modern electronics. These miners work in dangerous conditions, often under armed guards who ensure they don’t escape.
But here’s the kicker: no one wants to talk about it. Everyone’s too busy shouting about reparations for slavery that ended centuries ago to address the atrocities happening now. People are quick to blame white colonial powers for Africa’s historical suffering, but when it comes to acknowledging the role of black traffickers, slavers, and exploiters in modern-day slavery, there’s a deafening silence.
Why? Because it’s uncomfortable. It’s easier to paint a clear picture of villains and victims when you’re talking about the past. It’s easier to rage against colonialism and systemic racism than to admit that slavery today is largely being perpetuated by Africans themselves.
The truth is, slavery never really ended in some parts of Africa. It just changed forms. In some cases, the same ethnic divisions that drove historical slavery are fueling it today. In other cases, it’s pure greed, corruption, and indifference. Yet the narrative remains fixated on history because it’s easier to weaponize the past than to deal with the present.
If you’re going to talk about slavery, fine. But be consistent. Don’t just mourn the chains of your ancestors while ignoring the chains being locked onto someone else’s wrists right now. Don’t just blame colonialism and imperialism when the evidence shows that much of Africa’s modern slavery is driven by internal corruption and exploitation.
It’s time to stop being selective in outrage. Slavery isn’t just a legacy of the past—it’s a reality of the present. And until people are willing to face that, the cycle will continue. While some are busy demanding apologies for history, others are suffering in silence today. Let’s hope the voices speaking for the modern slaves grow louder than the echoes of the past.
PLPlum
Captain21,007 posts
10 Jan 2025, 16:52#4
TLDR;
Trad believes that blacks have black slaves in Africa and it's whitey's fault.
Whahaha!!!!
PLPlum
Captain21,007 posts
10 Jan 2025, 20:16#7
I provided the TLDR for others.
How could I know what he wrote had I not at least skimmed through it?
MOMozart
Captain49,914 posts
MOMozartCaptain49,914 posts
10 Jan 2025, 21:30#12
Say Peeper have you figured out the difference between convicted and sentenced yet
PLPlum
Captain21,007 posts
10 Jan 2025, 21:32#13
Ai, ou RooiNuts
You're becoming almost as sad as Denise with your low grade vectors.
Chat GPT query; what does it mean when you provide the TLDR for a long post made by someone else?
ChatGPT response;
When you provide a TL;DR for a post someone else made, you’re summarizing their content in a way that highlights the key points or main ideas. It’s essentially distilling their message down to its essence to make it quicker and easier for others to understand.
Here’s how to do it effectively:
1. Read the Post Thoroughly: Make sure you understand the original poster’s message fully. Misinterpreting their point can lead to confusion or misrepresentation.
2. Identify Key Points: Focus on the main argument, conclusion, or key facts in their post. Ignore minor details or tangential points unless they’re crucial to the context.
3. Remain Neutral and Accurate: When summarizing someone else’s post, avoid adding your own opinions, interpretations, or biases. Represent their message faithfully.
4. Keep It Short: A TL;DR should be brief and to the point, usually just a sentence or two.
Example
Original Post:
“I recently switched to a plant-based diet because I wanted to improve my health and reduce my environmental impact. While the transition was tough at first, I’ve found some amazing recipes, and my energy levels have been much better. However, eating out has been a challenge since many restaurants lack good plant-based options.”
Your TL;DR:
“Switched to a plant-based diet for health and environmental reasons. Transition was hard, but energy improved. Eating out remains a challenge.”
By doing this, you make the post accessible to readers who don’t have time to read the whole thing while respecting the original poster’s intent.
PLPlum
Captain21,007 posts
10 Jan 2025, 21:38#16
You not gonna shed a tear for all the slaves in Africa, Denise?
But I bet that if there was an article on line tomorrow about how a white guy was caught with 10 slaves, you'd be all over this board, teaching us about racism and how guilty we should feel?
Do you see why I, and hardly anybody else, give two shits about your pathetic moralising?
Read this if you have balls...
"Nietzsche argued that morality, as developed by the “weak,” is used as a tool to control and subvert the “strong.”
The specific idea is often summarized as follows:
“Morality is the weapon of the weak to constrain the strong.”
Nietzsche believed that traditional morality, especially in its focus on humility, self-denial, and pity, was a “slave morality” created by those without power to undermine and constrain those with power (the “masters”). The “weak” couldn’t compete with the “strong” directly, so they developed a moral framework that glorified weakness, suffering, and obedience while condemning strength, ambition, and self-assertion as evil or sinful.
In contrast, Nietzsche praised the “master morality,” which he associated with strength, creativity, and life-affirmation, values that reflect the self-determined nature of the “strong.”
This idea is central to Nietzsche’s broader philosophy, challenging traditional concepts of good and evil and emphasizing the need for individuals to transcend imposed moralities to create their own values."
;)
PLPlum
Captain21,007 posts
10 Jan 2025, 21:49#18
Rooi, are you okay?
Providing a TLDR for someone else's post is simply saying "Here's a summary".
Hence it's often referred to as "the tldr", same as here's "the summary".
Anyway, here's yet another ChatGPT query for ya;
Is it common practice on forums to provide a tldr for someone else's long post and when doing so are you suggesting others should not read the post?
ChatGPT response;
Providing a TL;DR for someone else’s post on forums can be common, but its appropriateness and frequency depend on the context of the forum, its culture, and the intent behind the summary. Here’s a breakdown:
1. Common Practice?
• Yes, it’s somewhat common, especially in forums or discussion platforms where posts can be long and people appreciate concise summaries (e.g., Reddit, community forums, or online debates).
• TL;DRs are typically appreciated when they provide value, such as helping others quickly grasp the gist of the discussion without wading through a wall of text.
2. Does It Suggest Others Shouldn’t Read the Post?
• Not necessarily. Providing a TL;DR doesn’t inherently discourage others from reading the full post. Instead, it serves as a quick preview or guide for readers to decide if they want to engage more deeply.
• It may be perceived as dismissive if the summary seems oversimplified, biased, or sarcastic, especially if the original poster values their full content being read.
3. When It’s Appropriate:
• When asked for a TL;DR: If the community often asks for summaries of lengthy posts, providing one is likely welcomed.
• If you’re neutral and respectful: A fair and accurate summary of the post is usually seen as helpful.
• When engaging with the original poster: TL;DRs can clarify your understanding of their post before you respond.
4. When It Might Be Inappropriate:
• If it oversimplifies or misrepresents the post, leading to misunderstandings or taking the discussion off track.
• If it’s dismissive or condescending, implying the post was too long or not worth reading.
Example of Good TL;DR Practice:
Original Post:
“Here’s my detailed review of the game. The story was compelling, the graphics were stunning, but the gameplay felt repetitive after a while. Overall, I’d recommend it to casual gamers but not hardcore fans of the genre.”
Your TL;DR:
“Compelling story and great graphics, but repetitive gameplay. Recommended for casual gamers, not hardcore fans.”
This summary doesn’t discourage reading the full post but helps others quickly understand the essence of the content.
In summary, providing a TL;DR for someone else’s post can be useful and respectful if done thoughtfully, without dismissing the full content or undermining the poster’s effort.
PLPlum
Captain21,007 posts
10 Jan 2025, 21:56#19
...in all honesty Rooi, these small victories over you mean so little.
At least think things through and make it worth my while. Else, what's it all for?
Oh, well at least you got Denise excited...then simple girl that she is.
PLPlum
Captain21,007 posts
10 Jan 2025, 21:59#20
Moz, these two clowns are so out of their depth.
Look at the weak nonsense they're offering up.
...I think we broke them.
What other explanation can there be?
PLPlum
Captain21,007 posts
11 Jan 2025, 08:55#22
Denise's best one of 2025 was exclaiming that the ball had to be swinging because else how could Paterson take the wickets that he did. Turns out Paterson relies on seam movement. And then Densie claims it was a wind-up...when it obviously wasn't. Incompetence and dishonesty, all in one.
Then old Rooi embarrasses himself with this TLDR issue to start the new year.
Who knew there was that much egg in this world or that two faces could accomodate so much of it.
I have a mind to glue these two Humpties back together just to watch them come apart again.
PLPlum
Captain21,007 posts
11 Jan 2025, 11:42#24
Lol Rooi...
Are you a spaz?
Providing a tldr is basically saying "If you find this too long to read then here is a summary".
It has nothing to do with telling people not to read it.
And of course one would have to read it to provide a TLDR.
You jumped in here thinking you had a gotcha, but you didn't, and now you look silly.
Perhaps try googling what TLDR is used for Rooi...
Here is Google's answer..."what is a tldr and how is it used?"
"TL;DR is abbreviation for "Too long, didn't read". This is used in reddit to indicate, in very short, what the post is about, and to highlight the points on which the advice is sought. It is good to use a TL;DR at the end of every post, and have specific pointed questions in the TL;DR"
Looking mighty silly...RooiNuts
PLPlum
Captain21,007 posts
11 Jan 2025, 17:22#26
Lol how can I provide a TLDR without reading it, you mong?
"Hey guys, here's the summary, but also, I didn't read it...but yeah, here's the summary."
What is wrong with you?
Would it help you if I went on Reddit, or similar, and took some screenshots of how TLDR is used?
PLPlum
Captain21,007 posts
12 Jan 2025, 08:07#29
It is odd how RooiFace seems to be making clanger after clanger.
As you say, there used to be some intelligence to his strafes.
These days he appears only to want to find gotchas and seems far worse at landing any.