#prison labor

The government imprisons people so capitalists can use them as slaves.

These young incarcerated firefighters are also being exploited for theri labour. So, please donate to:

Or donate directly to their commissaries if you can (I'm not sure if I can becos I'm not American):

this is absolutely not a "go vote or you're evil!" post BUT you should know that if you're registered to vote in Oregon, Alabama, Louisiana, Tennessee, or Vermont you have the opportunity to vote to abolish prison slavery this year, and i think you should strongly consider it.

from the washington post:

"The 13th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution bans slavery or involuntary servitude, except when it is used as punishment for a crime.

If passed, the proposals would wholly abolish slavery in those states, though they would not automatically change protocols on prison labor or inmate pay.

[...] the bills could give lawyers more license to pursue greater rights and higher pay for U.S. prisoners; Dolovich said that paying inmates below the minimum-wage protections set by each state is arguably 'a species of slavery.'

'It’ll be a fight in court. This question will be manifested by lawyers bringing cases on behalf of incarcerated workers,' she said. 'It’s a hopeful sign for me.'"

(Source; warning for more detailed discussion of prison slavery and related cruelty in the article)

Constructed response questions:

Drawing upon your prior knowledge, list a few products that would have been produced using slave labor prior to emancipation.

Other than that the African slave trade, what kind of working conditions would you consider to justify something being called slave labor?

If the Confederacy had won the civil war, or the union had never outlawed slavery, what kinds of products do you think would be produced using slave labor today?

How would you react if you found out that slave labor was still being practiced in America to produce things that you use in your daily life?

Listen to one or more of the following stories, then revisit your answers. What did you learn, and how does that change how you feel?

CW: Child Abuse.