Slavery In America — Never Abolished, Just Refurbished

Slavery abolished? Not at all. If you only read one thing today, this should be it.

Here, you’ll learn how slavery has perpetually existed through a loophole you might have overlooked — bringing all the “missing pieces” together regarding today’s police and judicial biases.

Slavery Shall Not Exist

First, what does the 13th Amendment actually state concerning the abolition of slavery?

Have you ever read it for yourself? Most people, when reading this constitutional provision, fly through it without thought.

Let’s take it slow.

The 13th Amendment states the following mandate.

“Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude shall exist within the United States, or any place subject to their jurisdiction.”

Well, that has “America” written all over it, doesn’t it?

No. This is actually a common mistake many people make.

According to Cornell University Law School’s record, this amendment regarding slavery in America actually states as follows.

“Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, except as a punishment for crime whereof the party shall have been duly convicted, shall exist within the United States, or any place subject to their jurisdiction.”

Ah, yes.

Slavery Goes Through the Side Door, Instead

“Except as a punishment for crime whereof the party shall have been duly convicted,” specifies the amendment.

You see, this slavery “abolishing” amendment nicely refurbished it and set preliminary circumstances which had to be met, before you could use it.

Slavery still exists through the prison industrial complex via the 13th Amendment.

Slick, right?

Need further convincing?

Federal Prison Industries

Have you ever heard of a company called UNICOR?

“UNICOR is the trade name for Federal Prison Industries (FPI): a wholly owned, self-sustaining Government corporation that sells market-priced services and quality goods made by inmates,” as described in the company’s section of the Bureau of Prisons website.

The actual company website has an entire catalog of services it offers customers — extensively covering everyday consumer goods which Americans regularly use.

You need a CAD drafter? UNICOR’s got you.

You need customer service reps? Yes, you’re in luck. They have those too.

You need computers built? Solar panels installed? Electronics developed? Furniture created? This company does all of this and more using inmates only.

It may be “made in America,” but what they don’t tell you is that it’s made by current “slavery in America.”

Let’s Talk Money

“Well, are they trained and paid like professionals in civilian life?” you might ask.

According to the company, they go through the same training and trades as civilians do.

“It’s also a vital correctional program that assists offenders in learning the skills necessary to successfully transition from convicted criminals to law-abiding, contributing members of society. UNICOR benefits everyone.”

But, does it really?

CNN Money states that it’s quite difficult for ex-felons to find a job once returning as “members of society.” That doesn’t sound very “beneficial.” It sounds like the company gets slave labor for training which inmates can’t use once they’re released.

Speaking of that, how about those slave wages?

According to another CNN Money report, factory workers have long complained that federal prisoners have been “stealing their business.” The report has a very different outlook on the company.

“UNICOR is a government-run enterprise that employs over 13,000 inmates — at wages as low as 23 cents an hour — to make goods…”

These professionally trained inmates are doing your jobs — building computers, answering phone calls, making military uniforms, etc. — for as low as 23 cents per hour.

Yes, sir. Slavery and involuntary servitude is alive and well.

Is it becoming more clear why police officers seemingly “must” make arrests for minuscule infractions that somehow morph into charges upon charges? The “war on drugs” starting to make more sense? “Black Lives Matter” takedowns — painting black and white activists of the group as possible terrorists?

An engine has to be oiled, right?

Here’s a look at UNICOR’s 2015 Annual Report; something just doesn’t add up for them to be stealing as many contracts as proclaimed.

“But, blacks aren’t the only ones in prison.”

Right, you are. As aforementioned, this article doesn’t exclude the “involuntary servitude” portion of the 13th Amendment.

The Federal Bureau of Prisons reports there are currently 157,025 federal inmates in BOP custody.

Interestingly enough, 22,024 federal inmates are in “privately managed” institutions. Sounds like the aforementioned company, right?

Even more intriguing, 14,021 federal inmates are in “other types of facilities.” Who knows what slavery and involuntary servitude “abolishing” is going on in those.

Nevertheless, while black Americans only make up 13.2 percent of the United States’ population, black inmates comprise 37.7 percent of the prison population.

That’s nearly three times the population ratio of black America.

Whereas, white Americans make up roughly 62 percent of the U.S. population but only comprise 58.8 percent of the prison population.

That’s less than one time the population ratio of white America.

In a previous Inquisitr report, it is mentioned that black Americans routinely receive 60 percent longer sentences and are 2.5 times more likely to be arrested for the same crimes than white Americans.

“So, I guess you want slavery reparations?”

First, slavery has yet to stop.

However, before you ask if current black Americans should receive such a financial apology, you should remember the looming circumstances surrounding why Native Americans received one.

You should ponder why Japan received one.

You should reminisce on why the Jews received one from Germany.

Afterwards, your answer should be quite clear about black Americans and if slavery reparations are in order.

Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments section below.

[Photo by Susan Walsh/AP Images]