Teens, Slaves

Some notes on how teens are treated much the same as how the slaves were treated in the USA, according to the autobiography of a former slave, Frederick Douglas.

- Slaves were not allowed to "utter one word in their own defense." Many teens in South America, if not in other parts of the world, are also not allowed to "talk back," not even in their own self defense.

- Slaves were murdered for disobedience & nothing was done. Many teens are punished in all kinds of ways for disobedience. They might not be murdered but the message is still the same: Obey, or else.

- If a teen tries to escape they can be forced back to their master's house, just like a slave could be taken back with force.

- It is illegal to help a teen escape to freedom, just as it was illegal to help a slave escape to freedom.

- Teens in many countries are forced to work at home without pay, just as slaves were forced to work without pay.

- Many teens do not have a chance to save money so they can become financially free, just as slaves had no money, no bank accounts of their own. In South America, I don't think I have ever met a teenager who had his or her own bank account.

Some differences which actually make it harder for the teen to attain freedom

- Not many of masters brainwashed the slaves into believing the masters were doing things for the slaves own good.

- Not many of the slaves had the false illusion they were "helping" their masters.

The slaves, in other words, knew they were slaves. It is probably fair to say the majority of them wanted freedom. It is unlikely many would feel guilty for "hurting" their masters if they escaped, left or were freed.