Modern Slavery : Breaking the Chains

By Deryn

May 22, 2023

Sibelius monumnet Helsinki showing organ pipes that are tree trunks of the forest

Photo Pixabay, Sibelious Monument,

Music becomes a voice for change

I have long believed that the arts serve purposes far beyond decoration. A painting can tell a story. A poem can preserve a memory. A novel can give a forgotten person a voice. Drama and dance are transient vehicles for storytelling. And music? Music can bring people together.  have seen something of this for myself in my travels. I have stood before the monument to Jean Sibelius in Helsinki, Finland, and I have visited Estonia. Standing in those places, knowing something of their history, gives a different meaning to the music. You begin to understand that these were not simply composers writing beautiful melodies. In times of oppression and uncertainty, music can become a vessel carrying the identity of an entire people.

Music when a nation finds its voice

Consider Finland. For more than six hundred years, Finland was part of the Swedish realm. In 1809, it passed from Sweden to the Russian Empire and became an autonomous Grand Duchy. During the nineteenth century, a growing Finnish cultural movement sought to strengthen a distinct national identity. The Kalevala compiled from Finnish oral poetry, became an important expression of that identity. Artists, writers, and musicians began to give Finland a language of its own, not necessarily a political language, but a cultural one.

Sculpture of Sibelious Head, Helsinki

Photo Pixabay, Sibelious Monument

Then came Sibelius. In 1899, during a period of increasing Russian pressure and attempts at Russification, Sibelius composed the music that would become Finlandia It was originally part of a series of historical tableaux presented at the Press Celebrations in Helsinki. The final section, known as “Finland Awakes,” stirred something deep in the Finnish people. Finlandia became a symbol of Finnish nationalism. When I stood before the Sibelius monument, I wasn’t just viewing a memorial to a famous composer. It reminded me of what happens when art helps people remember their identity. Sibelius helped give Finland a sound, and sometimes people need a sound before finding a voice. Organ pipes represented the trees of the forest; forests go deep into the psyche of the Finnish people, a voice that resonated with them.Estonian Music Festival Stand

Estonia sang its way toward freedom

I experienced a similar feeling when I visited Estonia. Domination by powerful neighbors has marked Estonia’s history, and during the Soviet period, language and national identity were under pressure. Yet Estonia had an extraordinary cultural treasure: its singing tradition.

The Singing Revolution of the late 1980s demonstrated just how powerful that treasure could become. Hundreds of thousands of Estonians gathered at the Tallinn Song Festival Grounds and sang traditional and patriotic songs together. They sang Mu isamaa on minu arm, “Land of My Fathers, Land that I Love,” a song that had become deeply associated with Estonian identity. They also sang the patriotic songs of composer Alo Mattiisen.Music of Estonian Dancers

Estonian Folk Dancers, Video - Deryn van der Tang

This was nonviolence; they were not taking up arms, they were raising their voices. By 1989, the movement had grown into the remarkable Baltic Way, when people in Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania joined hands in a human chain stretching across the three Baltic countries. Music had helped people remember they belonged to something larger than the political system that governed them.

The music that defied ruins

Then there is Sarajevo. During the terrible siege of Sarajevo in the 1990s, cellist Vedran Smailović became known as the “Cellist of Sarajevo.” After twenty-two people were killed while waiting for bread, Smailović returned to the devastated area and played Albinoni’s Adagio in G minor in their memory. Picture a city under attack. Amidst the broken buildings and people living in fear, a man sits with his cello and plays. The music could not stop the bombs, nor could it bring the dead back. But it declared something profound:

Beauty had not been destroyed. Human dignity had not been destroyed, and the human spirit had not been destroyed. That is the power of the arts.

Why do the arts matter?

When we talk about social change, we often think about politicians, protesters, legislation, and movements. And, of course, these matter. But underneath every movement is something deeper: a story about who we are and what we believe is worth preserving. Artists help us tell that story. A composer can give a nation a melody. Poets can preserve a language. Painters can capture a landscape that becomes part of a people’s memory. A storyteller can take the ordinary life of one family and reveal something universal about courage, suffering, and hope.

Perhaps that is why oppressive regimes have so often tried to control language, literature, music, and art. They understand something we sometimes forget: culture holds memory. And memory gives people identity.

The Bible tells us, “A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver” (Proverbs 25:11).

Sometimes someone speaks, paints, sings, or writes that word.

The arts may not change the world overnight. Yet, they have the power to shift how people view the world. And once people see differently, they may begin to think differently, hope differently, and eventually act differently.

As I think about Finland, Estonia, and many other places I have traveled, I remember that the arts form a vital part of human society. They are part of our inheritance; they carry the stories of those who came before us. They inspire courage in those struggling today and plant seeds of hope for future generations. Perhaps that is why music has such extraordinary power.

A single voice may be silenced, a single instrument broken, yet a song alive in people’s hearts proves much harder to destroy.

And sometimes, when a people begin to sing together, the world begins to listen.

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Young girl locked in an apartment blockThis month I am looking at freedom from slavery in its different forms. The abolition of slavery was declared as part of the United States Constitution as the 13th amendment on January 31, 1865. Where people were no longer allowed to own slaves. "Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, except as a punishment for crime whereof the party shall have been duly convicted, shall exist within the United States, or any place subject to their jurisdiction.". Bondage and slavery have plagued humanity for centuries; they cast a dark shadow over certain parts of the world, even today. Conquering tribes or nations often take their captives into slavery after a battle. We know from many of the stories written in the Bible and other historical documents this is true. But in modern times, slavery can take other forms, in addictions and poverty, and oppression.

Within the confines of such oppression, the concept of freedom of thought appears to be an elusive dream. Nevertheless, even in these dire circumstances, a flicker of hope remains. By harnessing their imagination and inner strength, individuals trapped in various forms of bondage or slavery can defy their oppressors and forge a path toward liberation. In this article, we will explore the diverse manifestations of slavery, including bondage to drugs and alcohol and the gripping chains of poverty.

Traditional Forms of Slavery

The transatlantic slave trade and the institution of chattel slavery, where individuals were treated as property and subjected to forced labor, is history now. Although legal abolition has eradicated these explicit forms of slavery in most parts of the world, contemporary forms persist, often hidden beneath the surface. These can also include domestic 'slavery' where a woman has no financial agency, is dependent on her husband, and is subject to his commands. This has been relabeled as 'abuse.' There is also the underground world of kidnappings and child sex slaves.

Bondage to Drugs and Alcohol

One of the insidious forms of modern slavery is also bondage to drugs and alcohol. Addictions can grip individuals tightly, eroding their physical and mental well-being while trapping them in a cycle of dependency. People ensnared by substance abuse often find their freedom of thought and action constrained, compelled to prioritize their next fix above all else. It becomes challenging for families who have to support a family member with an addiction, as they can also become enablers. Breaking free from this form of slavery requires immense courage, support networks, and access to rehabilitation and treatment programs.

Economic Bondage: Poverty as Slavery

Beyond the traditional notion of slavery, poverty can also be seen as bondage. In impoverished communities, individuals are deprived of basic necessities, education, and opportunities, perpetuating a cycle of generational poverty. The absence of economic freedom and social mobility confines people to perpetual struggle, leaving them vulnerable to exploitation and further entrenching the chains of poverty. It is challenging for them to break out of the poverty cycle as even social programs for poverty support become enabling as it is easier for people to stay in the 'benefit' range than to work their way out of it. Only those who desire for economic freedom are willing to work the three jobs and go back to school is greater than the risk of losing their benefits. Empowering individuals through education, skills training, and economic opportunities can serve as critical catalysts in breaking these invisible shackles.

Psychological Bondage: Mental and Emotional Manipulation

While physical chains are visible, the invisible shackles of psychological bondage are just as binding. Mental and emotional manipulation can enslave individuals, trapping them in abusive relationships or coercive circumstances. Cults, human trafficking, and coercive control are examples of psychological bondage, where a person's thoughts, beliefs, and autonomy are systematically undermined. Breaking free requires a combination of self-awareness, support systems, and professional intervention to reclaim one's identity and restore personal agency.

Cyber Slavery: The Chains of Technological Exploitation

We now have a new form of slavery, and to a greater or lesser extent, we are all slaves to our computers and smartphones as we become more and more unable to function in the modern world without technology. It has made life easier for some and more difficult for others. Those who do not have the necessary skill, capacity, or finance to cope with it forcing them to rely on others for help or, even worse, become cyber slaves. This exploitation encompasses human trafficking through online platforms, forced labor in the gig economy, and the harvesting of personal data for nefarious purposes. It encompasses scamming, where victims find themselves trapped in a virtual world, unable to escape the clutches of their digital oppressors. Combating cyber slavery requires international cooperation, legislation, and technological advancements to safeguard individuals and hold perpetrators accountable.

While bondage and slavery have stained the pages of history, their echoes persist in various forms today. Bondage to drugs and alcohol, economic deprivation, psychological manipulation, and cyber slavery represent modern manifestations of this enduring affliction. By acknowledging these different forms of slavery and working towards solutions, we can strive to break the chains that bind people, restoring their freedom of thought, action, and human dignity. Together, we can build a world where the dream of emancipation becomes a reality for all. Breaking the bonds of slavery to social brainwashing requires creativity, resilience, and a willingness to challenge the status quo.

Drug addicts sitting in poverty

Here are some creative ways to overcome the chains of programmed thinking:

Seek Alternative Perspectives: e.g., Read books, watch documentaries, listen to podcasts, and engage in conversations with people from different backgrounds. This exposure can help you broaden your horizons and challenge the narrow narratives that may have been ingrained in your thinking.

Embrace Critical Thinking: Cultivate a habit of critical thinking by questioning assumptions, analyzing information, and seeking evidence. Develop the ability to discern fact from opinion and rely on credible sources of information. This can help you break free from programmed thinking and develop a more independent thought process.

Encourage Self-Reflection: Take time for introspection and self-reflection. Explore your own beliefs, values, and biases—question why you hold certain beliefs and examine whether they are based on evidence or mere programming. Understanding your cognitive biases and thought patterns is crucial in breaking free from programmed thinking.

Foster Creativity and Imagination: I am a great advocate for the Arts. Engage in creative activities such as writing, painting, or playing a musical instrument. Creative pursuits stimulate your imagination and help you think beyond the boundaries of programmed thinking. They encourage independent thought and open up new avenues for self-expression.

Build a Support Network: Surround yourself with people encouraging critical thinking and independent thought. Engage in meaningful discussions with them, share ideas, and challenge each other's perspectives. Having a supportive community can provide validation and strength when confronting programmed thinking.

Practice Mindfulness and Spirituality: Develop mindfulness to cultivate present-moment awareness and observe your thoughts without judgment. Mindfulness can help you become more aware of the influences that shape your thinking and enable you to consciously choose your responses instead of reacting automatically. We all have a spiritual side to us that will help guide us. If you pray, your thoughts will be guided to what is good and true. I know many people have been programmed by negative religious thinking, but there is a place for a personal relationship with your Creator to guide you to His truth.

Embrace Continuous Learning: Never stop learning and seeking knowledge. Take up courses, attend workshops, and engage in lifelong learning. The more you expose yourself to new ideas and information, the better equipped you'll be to challenge programmed thinking and form independent thoughts.

Engage in Dialogue: Engage in respectful and open-minded dialogue with individuals with opposing viewpoints. Listen actively, ask probing questions, and seek to understand their perspectives. This exercise can challenge programmed thinking and foster empathy and understanding.

Step out of Comfort Zones: Explore unfamiliar territories and experiences. Travel to new places, immerse yourself in different cultures and embrace novel experiences. Stepping out of your comfort zone broadens your worldview, and challenges preconceived notions.

Educate Others: Share your journey of breaking free from whatever form your slavery took with others. Engage in constructive conversations, participate in debates, or write articles or blog posts to raise awareness about the importance of independent thought. By inspiring others to question their own thinking, you contribute to collective liberation.

Remember, breaking the bonds of programmed thinking is a gradual process that requires consistent effort and self-reflection. By adopting these creative approaches, you can free yourself from the chains of the programmed thinking of your culture and background and embark on a journey toward independent thought and personal growth.

How can we genuinely end slavery in all its forms? Do share your ideas with me in the comment box.

 

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