The Economy of Slavery

 

Slavery is one of the most profitable industry in United States’ history. This country was bought, cultivated and sold on the backs of people who arrived in this country – mainly against their own will. Slave owners bought the services of the big, black, “brute” as he stood shackled to a neighbor from his native land.

At the execution of a sales transaction, the two would go from former neighbors to two men who share similar cultural history in separate locations. Even more heart-wrenching than the former neighbors is the separation of husband and wife, mother and child, brother and sister – also at the brutal hands of slavery.

Not impacted by the emotions felt by the trapped human chattel, slave-owners would visit these sales looking to acquire the strongest, healthiest, young black man to tend to the soon-to-be profitable land. Even more satisfying than the short-term profits from a rich harvest was the prospect of finding a strong, fertile female slave fit for the very best breeding arrangement with the strapping young male slave.

Now, through the process of attending a slave sale and “profiling” the dark-skinned human chattel standing before him a bright, a business-savvy slave owner could poke, inspect, and asses his investments.  How perverse? 

America: only free for some.  Why was this ever acceptable?

The Purpose of Red, White, (Black) and Blue

Can anyone remember a time when things were truly peaceful in this country? It seems like if we aren't at war with others, we are at war with ourselves.  The cycle is vicious and virtually never-ending.  So, what are some of the things that build tolerance and understanding during challenging times?

One, fairly direct, answer to this question is exposure.  People fear what they do not know.  And, in a day and age where information is all around us, it almost seems unfathomable that we do not take more of an opportunity to expose ourselves to the struggles of others.

Red, White, (Black) and Blue seeks to expose its future audiences to the struggles of African Americans - during and beyond the ever-notorious slavery period.   This is its purpose.

Some might wonder if this topic is an over-exposed, over-exploited one.  However, normally when the issue of race and the current condition of African Americans occurs in various media outlets, the media often address one portion of the issue, i.e. race discrimination.  That type of coverage is insufficient, shallow and fails to address the systemic issues that surround race discrimination.

Aside from its presentation as a theatrical piece, Red, White, (Black) and Blue is an experience.  It places the audience in the shoes of past and present African Americans, providing them with a journey that begins with the institution of slavery and ends with the modern day repercussions of race related issues.

Although predicting the scope and impact of Red, White, (Black) and Blue is nearly impossible, the goal is to build tolerance and understanding.  Exposure is one of the key elements to a more peaceful, more unified America.