Slavery is not a horror safely confined to the past; it…
““Slavery is not a horror safely confined to the past; it continues to exist throughout the world, even in developed countries like France and the United States. Across the world slaves work and sweat and build and suffer. Slaves in Pakistan may have made the shoes you are wearing and the carpet you stand on. Slaves in the Caribbean may have put sugar in your kitchen and toys in the hands of your children. In India they may have sewn the shirt on your back and polished the ring on your finger. They are paid nothing. Slaves touch your life indirectly as well. They made the bricks for the factory that made the TV you watch. In Brazil slaves made the charcoal that tempered the steel that made the springs in your car and the blade on your lawnmower. Slaves grew the rice that fed the woman that wove the lovely cloth you've put up as curtains. Your investment portfolio and your mutual fund pension own stock in companies using slave labor in the developing world. Slaves keep your costs low and returns on your investments high.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Modern slavery is pervasive, hidden in everyday products and supply chains worldwide.
In simple terms: Slavery still exists and impacts many common goods.
Key Takeaway
Investigate product origins and support ethical sourcing.
Themes
human rights
global inequality
consumer responsibility
Mood
concerned
motivated
Type
activist
informative
When to use this quote
- shopping for clothing
- investing in funds
- supporting NGOs
- educating peers
Key Concepts
supply chain ethics
modern slavery
economic exploitation
Questions to Reflect On
- What can you do to reduce reliance on slave‑produced goods?
- How can consumers influence corporate practices?
A Different Perspective
Complex global economics make alternatives costly.