Can Slavery Be Compared to the Minimum Wage System?
SLAVERY VS. MINIMUM WAGE
Le’Sean Marks
English 102; Civil War Term Paper
March 21, 2013
In a time like today, everyone who has ever received minimum wage could agree that it is not ideal, nor is it fair in most cases. However, to compare the brutality of minimum wage to that of slavery is preposterous! In slavery, especially the slavery that occurred in America, human beings lacked more than just proper compensation for their labor. Along with not being fairly rewarded: families were ripped apart by slave trades, dignity could never be gained, scare tactics and inferiority were at an all time high, women were raped, people were beaten almost to death, and the list goes on. There is no way to downplay minimum wage. People work extremely hard and don’t receive the pay that they deserve. Plus, let’s face it; the cost of living is so high today that most people can’t afford to live a good physical healthy life. With that said, minimum wage just doesn’t cut it and that aspect of it can be compared to slavery. Nevertheless, slavery and minimum wage are too entirely different struggles due to the fact that the hardships of slavery far outnumber the hardships of living off minimum wage. The main thing that makes slavery and minimum wage incomparable is the freedom of choice.
Education is a prime example of choice. Back in slavery days blacks were not afforded the opportunity to receive an education. In fact, they were not even allowed to learn how to read and write. This is proven by a quote in an article called “Slavery and the Civil War” where it says: “In order to maintain control, most slave states passed a law making it illegal for black people to learn to read and write.” Today, people who make minimum wage have limitless opportunities to further and better their education and go as far as they need to in their endeavors. The level of education one has plays a huge factor in how much money one could make. People have the choice to ensure that they make
Le’Sean Marks
English 102; Civil War Term Paper
March 21, 2013
In a time like today, everyone who has ever received minimum wage could agree that it is not ideal, nor is it fair in most cases. However, to compare the brutality of minimum wage to that of slavery is preposterous! In slavery, especially the slavery that occurred in America, human beings lacked more than just proper compensation for their labor. Along with not being fairly rewarded: families were ripped apart by slave trades, dignity could never be gained, scare tactics and inferiority were at an all time high, women were raped, people were beaten almost to death, and the list goes on. There is no way to downplay minimum wage. People work extremely hard and don’t receive the pay that they deserve. Plus, let’s face it; the cost of living is so high today that most people can’t afford to live a good physical healthy life. With that said, minimum wage just doesn’t cut it and that aspect of it can be compared to slavery. Nevertheless, slavery and minimum wage are too entirely different struggles due to the fact that the hardships of slavery far outnumber the hardships of living off minimum wage. The main thing that makes slavery and minimum wage incomparable is the freedom of choice.
Education is a prime example of choice. Back in slavery days blacks were not afforded the opportunity to receive an education. In fact, they were not even allowed to learn how to read and write. This is proven by a quote in an article called “Slavery and the Civil War” where it says: “In order to maintain control, most slave states passed a law making it illegal for black people to learn to read and write.” Today, people who make minimum wage have limitless opportunities to further and better their education and go as far as they need to in their endeavors. The level of education one has plays a huge factor in how much money one could make. People have the choice to ensure that they make