We like to think such systems no longer exists, but having lived in the Middle East for decades and traveled widely, the truth is something different. So-called “contracted workers” are brought in, and bought, sold and traded with impunity in what is surely at least a remnant of slavery. Another great piece. And thanks for the book recommendation.
"How human beings could consign a fellow being to such an existence, I cannot understand..."
Yes, it's a horrible history and there's a lot of our history that is horrible but at least a few people like Philip Byrd, Douglas A. Blackmon, and now yourself, made an effort to shine a light on these horrors. I'm wondering if so-called "chain gangs" (as in the song, "I've been working on a chain gang") were actually rental convicts. From old-timey movies you get the impression their overseers were prison guards and they were laboring on public works. Now I betting chain gangs got rented out to private contractors and probably in some cases with no strings attached. This article also made me think of the institution of private prisons which I think is a horrible idea. I wonder what sort of abuses go on in those places.
We like to think such systems no longer exists, but having lived in the Middle East for decades and traveled widely, the truth is something different. So-called “contracted workers” are brought in, and bought, sold and traded with impunity in what is surely at least a remnant of slavery. Another great piece. And thanks for the book recommendation.
Thank you for shedding light on this horrific practice. This is the first I've heard of it.
"How human beings could consign a fellow being to such an existence, I cannot understand..."
Yes, it's a horrible history and there's a lot of our history that is horrible but at least a few people like Philip Byrd, Douglas A. Blackmon, and now yourself, made an effort to shine a light on these horrors. I'm wondering if so-called "chain gangs" (as in the song, "I've been working on a chain gang") were actually rental convicts. From old-timey movies you get the impression their overseers were prison guards and they were laboring on public works. Now I betting chain gangs got rented out to private contractors and probably in some cases with no strings attached. This article also made me think of the institution of private prisons which I think is a horrible idea. I wonder what sort of abuses go on in those places.
Appreciate your comment. You're totally correct about the chain gangs -- here's more information about them if you're interested in reading more: https://mississippiencyclopedia.org/entries/convict-leasing-and-chain-gangs/.