Reflections on Freedom and Slavery: A Personal Insight

The concept of freedom versus slavery is not always black and white. It can take many forms, both physical and metaphorical. This essay explores the nuances of these terms and how they apply to our lives.

Slavery in Our Modern World

Yes, we are all slaves to the government and people with money in the world, whether we are direct or indirect. The police are slaves to the government, and the government is still bound to someone in the shadows who does not share wealth equally. One of the most concrete examples is the ongoing crises, where governments often cover their actions and decisions.

Even I am a slave to smartphones and the internet. I use the internet for work as well as for pleasure. This makes me a slave to it. Others are slaves to addictions, whether those addictions are to substances, behaviors, or even online content. People who work for low pay are slaves to the system, as they never see the fruits of their labor. Being a slave can take many forms.

The Forms of Freedom and Slavery

Freedom and slavery can be a physical reality or a state of mind. They can be a reality or a metaphor. If a person can do as they please within the law, including voting in a non-fixed election and expressing their views freely in public, they have freedom. If they live in a free society but have much fear and hate of the world, they may be considered enslaved by their own thinking.

Some people are slaves to their circumstances, such as indentured workers who build the tall structures in wealthy dictatorships like Dubai. These conditions are often likened to the brutalized slaves of early America, and they still exist in some countries today, like Chad. The physical slavery in these cases is far worse than a metaphorical one.

Personal Reflections on Slavery and Freedom

The phrase 'I am free as a person, but a slave to the system' perfectly captures a common paradox. I am a slave to the first-world capitalism with all its intended Brave New World and 1984-ish activities. Aware that the cost of this inslavement provides a lifestyle unheard of for 3/5 of the globe, I still feel hard done by, especially considering the financial requirements necessary to afford such a lifestyle.

Many choose different systems, some of which might bind them to isolation or to the force of a gun or a fist. However, within, they can be free. We all struggle to free our minds from the slavery of the damage we have endured. Yet, every single human can experience a quiet moment and recognize that they are their own - free. No one truly owns us, but we remain bound by societal norms and expectations.

For example, at this very instant, I am a slave to an old orange cat who can not decide whether he wants to go out or stay in. Despite these binds, the quest for freedom and the understanding of our true selves is an ongoing journey. May peace be with you.