Slavery, Exploitation and Conformity

Slavery, Exploitation and Conformity / Hablamos Press, Eduardo Herrera
Posted on June 12, 2015

Hablamos Press, Dr. Eduardo Herrera, Havana, 9 June 2015 — It is said
that in times of slavery slaves were mistreated and were not free. But
the gentlemen slave owners were responsible for feeding and clothing
them, providing them healthcare—even for teaching them to read and
write, and caring for their small children and pregnant women. The
gentlemen slave owners who did this were better regarded by society.

It is also said that the abolition of slavery was a business decision
because the time came when the masters could no longer finance all the
costs associated with holding slaves. They decided to free them, then
employ and pay them, turning the slaves into salaried workers. This way,
although the pay was meager, these exploiters were technically complying
with abolition, even though they continued being exploiters.

On a daily basis, I converse with many Cubans who, when we speak of the
country's situation, agree with me that it is very dire. The majority
complain that salaries are inadequate, even for providing decent
nutrition. Working conditions and the state of their dwellings are
deplorable. The lack of products and other items essential to life in
this modern era is ever more notable, in addition to the lack of freedom.

But most of them say, "Why should I do anything if nothing gets
resolved? I can't change things by myself. The best option is to try to
leave the country." Others, more committed to the government, argue that
"there are many problems, but we will get better, always, with the
historic momentum of the Revolution leading the way" — without
acknowledging that the revolutionary government has been in power for
more than 55 years, and we have almost frozen in time.

All of these pessimistic and submissive behaviors make me think of the
history of slavery, when the majority of those in bondage shrank from
confronting the slave owners out of fear of punishment and death. They
would try to escape, they flattered their masters so as to obtain
benefits, and even when they were freed, many preferred to remain in
servitude.

Although some came out and fought against slavery, the majority adapted
to the slaveholding method of exploitation. Today in Cuba, many have
adapted to the regime by trying to subsist however they can, but without
claiming the rights that appertain to them. It makes me think that when
one lives so long in the condition of slavery, it is difficult to
recognize, and demand, the freedom that belongs to us from birth.

Translated by Alicia Barraqué Ellison

Source: Slavery, Exploitation and Conformity / Hablamos Press, Eduardo
Herrera | Translating Cuba -
http://translatingcuba.com/slavery-exploitation-and-conformity-hablamos-press-eduardo-herrera/