I saw this film while on holiday recently. Some people were reluctant to see it because it would be too upsetting. I believe that that is the very reason why it should be viewed.
Slavery still exists everywhere around the world, or at the very least, the fruits of slavery are enjoyed by all of us.
I'm referring to coffee and chocolate and cheap clothing in particular but it goes a lot deeper than that.
Along with slavery goes the practice of human trafficking for sexual exploitation, bonded servitude and organ and tissue collection.
Our church has been speaking out against these practices for years but gets no media attention. This new film may serve to bring the subject to the forefront again. The main character of the film was not born a slave but had his freedom brutally taken from him, his identity erased and all of his human rights obliterated. Instead of being a human being, he became a possession, a commodity and an economic asset. This is what is happening to many thousands, possibly millions of people today.
In the news recently was an announcement by one of our mining magnates who is attempting to eradicate slavery by 2020. Given the length of time it took William Wilberforce to bring about legislation to end the trade in slaves by Britain, I think he is being very ambitious but still, I admire his determination.
Read here what he has done to unite the Pope, the Archbishop of Canterbury and Grand Imam of al-Azhar, Egypt is his plan to eradicate slavery.
http://www.smh.com.au/national/andre...#ixzz2wUfsvro8
