Insurrectionist, revolutionary, terrorist, murderer, hero.
John Brown’s violent and bloody abolitionist campaign shocked and drove the US towards freeing itself of slavery in the 19th C. He was feted in the North, controversial everywhere. His campaign certainly sparked something, the downfall of slavery justified his actions in many eyes. Yesterday was the anniversary of his birthday, 210 years since his birth, 151 years since his hanging.
Yet today, slavery still thrives. We see daily evidence of the white slave trade or movement of women for use in prostitution. This is heinous, but because the target markets are westernised countries, the crime is perfectly within the reach of the western nations to curb. (Please excuse my grouping of western, I can think of no other appropriate phrase).
What is unsolvable is the issue of slavery in other regions. Islamic countries, tribal lands, countries where a combination of cultural and the societal norms view slavery as just trading of commodities. African and asian slaves are being sold freely in many countries, enroute for a lifetime of servitude.
Where are today’s John Brown’s to emancipate these hidden masses?
