“The Abolition of Slavery”
(A Satyr)
Written by Gregory Durden
Many years ago, the plantation owners were faced with a difficult decision;
To continue the practice of slavery in the face of growing opposition, or give in to the
forces that be and release the slave from their captivity. As would be expected, they were divided in their resolve until one of them, a very bright and successful scholar made the following proposal. “Why not grant the slaves their freedom? They have no real property to farm, no businesses with which to support themselves, and thus will still be dependant on us for support. We can parcel out land to them. Land which we still own, yet allow them to share a small part of all they produce!” It was a wonderful idea, to which they all agreed.
Not only did they maintain control of the slaves, but the slaves thought they were free and so the rebellions and opposition ceased. So great in fact was this idea that all owners grew to love it! Not only did the slaves appear to be free, but the owners were not responsible for providing shelter, transportation, or medical care. Since the slaves were now responsible for their own food, shelter, clothing, and medical care a new “label” seemed appropriate, and thus the term “employee” was created. Few of the slaves (sorry, I meant employees) had enough to really get ahead, and the owners were behind the scenes working to keep them where they were…and thus the labor pool grew stable – and large.
Eventually, all owners realized that the benefits were great and began using this system, which has long since crossed the color line. Today, owners still use slaves (sorry) employees to do the work they don’t want to do. Slaves (sorry) employees still get a small portion of all they produce, provide their own food, shelter, transportation, and in some cases medical care. Many things have changed since the “Abolition of Slavery” and yet…for the overwhelming majority of the people things are pretty much the same!
Copyright 2000 All rights reserved
(A Satyr)
Written by Gregory Durden
Many years ago, the plantation owners were faced with a difficult decision;
To continue the practice of slavery in the face of growing opposition, or give in to the
forces that be and release the slave from their captivity. As would be expected, they were divided in their resolve until one of them, a very bright and successful scholar made the following proposal. “Why not grant the slaves their freedom? They have no real property to farm, no businesses with which to support themselves, and thus will still be dependant on us for support. We can parcel out land to them. Land which we still own, yet allow them to share a small part of all they produce!” It was a wonderful idea, to which they all agreed.
Not only did they maintain control of the slaves, but the slaves thought they were free and so the rebellions and opposition ceased. So great in fact was this idea that all owners grew to love it! Not only did the slaves appear to be free, but the owners were not responsible for providing shelter, transportation, or medical care. Since the slaves were now responsible for their own food, shelter, clothing, and medical care a new “label” seemed appropriate, and thus the term “employee” was created. Few of the slaves (sorry, I meant employees) had enough to really get ahead, and the owners were behind the scenes working to keep them where they were…and thus the labor pool grew stable – and large.
Eventually, all owners realized that the benefits were great and began using this system, which has long since crossed the color line. Today, owners still use slaves (sorry) employees to do the work they don’t want to do. Slaves (sorry) employees still get a small portion of all they produce, provide their own food, shelter, transportation, and in some cases medical care. Many things have changed since the “Abolition of Slavery” and yet…for the overwhelming majority of the people things are pretty much the same!
Copyright 2000 All rights reserved
