In the United States of America, February is recognized as Black History Month. For some, this is or can be a celebration of identity and of history. For others it can be an opportunity to learn about the contributions of those of African descent to many avenues of life.
I was taught in school that most Africans came to America at first as slaves. And during those times, men who were slaves didn’t have the same rights given to them as those who were labeled as free men. Not having these rights may have been because slaves were seen as property and property didn’t have rights.
I recently got a chance to watch a film entitled, "Stolen." Blackfilm.com’s, Wilson Morales says, “Violeta Ayala and Daniel Fallshaw document what they believe to be modern-day slavery in the Western Sahara region of Africa
(link to that article:http://www.blackfilm.com/read/2013/02/stolen-indie-film-on-human-traffickin%E2%80%8Bg/).”
"Stolen" is an independent film and documentary about two film makers’ journey into Africa where they were planning one type of documentary. But after their discovery of slavery in the particular part of the country is alive and well the documentary took a different direction.
I would recommend watching this, even if you don’t watch it in Black History Month. It is surprising that this type of thing maybe still going on…especially at such a level as one may perceive from the film, as well as the way that the film depicts the authorities handling it. I ask myself a question related to this, “In some areas of the world, are people still viewed as property today?” If so, will any good come of it?
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