Slavery in America -- Today
Modern American Slavery Has a Mostly Foreign Face
In 1860, there were over four million slaves in the United States, about ten percent of whom were in states that did not secede from the Union in the War Between the States. By the end of 1865, slavery as an institution was destroyed in America, a status bought by the blood of hundreds ofBut slaveryitself was not destroyed. In California after the Civil War, thousands of young Asian women were enslaved to serve as prostitutes for the Gold-Rush settlers. Chinese men were virtually enslaved to build the railroads and develop the Western mining industry. In the South, newly-freed slaves worked side by side with poor whites as sharecroppers, becoming serfs in all but name to new landowners from both the North and the South. This tradition of slavery continued throughout American history.
Today, at any given time, tens of thousands of people are working as slaves in America: cleaning houses, working on farms, or, most commonly, prostituting themselves for the profit of their owners. They are bought and sold, just like they used to be in the American South, and few of those who engage in slave trafficking are ever brought to justice.
Where Do Slaves Come From?
Most slaves in America are not Americans. They are often illegal immigrants from Guatemala or other Central American countries, young women and a few men who are brought over the border by coyotes. Their coyotes, after charging them money for their services, may sell them to confederates in the US, or the newly-arrived illegal immigrants may accept work from the wrong person.
Often, Chinese or Vietnamese immigrants, illegal or not, are brought to this country with the promise of education or work; they find themselves forced to work for most of the day, or turned into sex workers. Not knowing English or understanding how America works, they are trapped indefinitely in their new roles.
Most Comments Today
- Oh No! Michael Jackson's Body and Brain Missing Is Michael Jackson's body and brain missing? According to many websites they... 29 Comments
- Sarah Palin 2012? Sarah Palin 2012? 29 Comments
- Hot News Quickies - Thursday, July 9, 2009 News happens while you sleep - get your Hot News Quickies here! 28 Comments
- Michael Jackson is Missing The casket is missing, where is it? How did it disappear? 28 Comments
- Every Day Heroes At every disaster, in every community, when people are hurting who are the fi... 23 Comments
- Real Estate: Renting Your Home and Bad Tenants If you decide to rent out your home, do a thorough reference check with previ... 22 Comments









Posted on 03/23/2009 at 7:03:44 PM
Posted on 03/23/2009 at 7:03:07 PM
Posted on 12/11/2008 at 5:12:17 PM
J Gersey
Posted on 08/11/2008 at 12:08:57 PM
Posted on 10/18/2007 at 3:10:00 PM
Posted on 08/02/2007 at 10:08:00 AM
Jamie K. Wilson
Posted on 06/07/2007 at 2:06:00 AM
Sarah Holmes
Posted on 06/07/2007 at 2:06:00 AM
Posted on 05/22/2007 at 12:05:00 PM
Posted on 05/15/2007 at 12:05:00 PM