On The Silk Road ... The Concubine's Tale

Just because you don't recognize it doesn't mean it's not there.

I do believe that Miss Jig's original post has unfortunately inspired a completely unintentional flood of responses regarding a non-issue (real slavery) -- a non-issue because I think it's clear we all feel the same way. Either that or I am the one who has completely misread the post.

Yes, she used parallels and examples that could be identified with in some capacity, but I felt the heart of her query was laid out as follows...



I quipped back with a summary answer "I am a curious slave to technology and its advancements. That is why I am here and shall always be drawn to places such as this."

I, however, did not respond to the latter question, which is also interesting. Personally, for me, yes, RL is more precious than what I weave in SL. I have met some very wonderful fellow "slaves" in SL, and their friendship has become real and I take that into RL with me.

But the original question... I am a slave to technology (read, I am a geek). I never came here to be social, to be creative, as an outlet for unfulfilled fantasy, for RP, for the lure of money... But I did, while in SL, become a little social, and I most definitely became creative. And these things have made my RL more precious.

Or, as I said... maybe I am the one misinterpreting the original post.

Isn't that the point?

I'm a slave to my lusts; fortunately, these are transient. I definitely, certainly and finally do not think the people who *talk* about slavery in the sexual/role-play sense actually know what it means, for themselves or for spectators from all manner of backgrounds. I read the "x is owned by Y, all complaints to Y please" thing that D/S roleplayers have in their profiles, as simply the admission of an alt, or the smarts to work out the /multiple startup parameter. It certainly ain't anything to do with the other definitions of the term "slavery".

LOLz ! Re-reading that quote, I can see how it might have been reinterpreted

I am going to try to stay out of this too as my family dates back to slavery. When I think of the "collar" and the chain linking the master and his slave, the one, the only consistent image that comes to mind is Lamar Burton's portrayal of Kunta Kinte in Roots. Everytime I see it in world, (yes I am fully aware of the "love" the slave feels their master when collared) Mr. Burton's image with that "collar" and chain comes to mind.

Now being a "slave" to something in an entirely different context, then I would say vacations. I will subcumb to vacations.

Yes, those are two different things. (By the way, EVERYONE has slaves in their ancestry. Genetic mixing makes that a certainty.)

Jig's talking about the second thing. She really means, "things that you like very much". Saying you are a "slave" to them is a red herring intended to incite passionate discussion.

But to respond to her OP, and in the spirit of Chris' reply: I used to be an "independent and sovereign" person, in SL. Lately I seem to have acquired a family. It comes with duties and obligations, as well as love and sharing. My SL is much the better for it.

Nor, did I say they didn't.

I'm sure there are a *few* Inuit or Aboriginee or (maybe) Amazonians (this last group being tricky as there is such vast diversity in that region - some 'nations' which have very large exposure and trade history and some small bands that have gone from complete isolation to 'welcome to your new suburban home in Lima' in a near instant) who don't. Absolutes are a tricky thing after all.

But certainly any one in any of the more world traveled (within the last 20,000 years, give or take) regions has a very high likelihood of slavery in their ancestry. Especially people from more modern regions, and particularly if you include indentured servitude; which is how most colonial Anglos immigrated to the US and was common practice in many places around the world. It is in fact still the situation for the majority of workers in places like India, Bahrain, and with many illegals in the US.

I know you didn't. I just get frustrated with people who either pride themselves on their "purity", or who carry huge loads of angst because their ancestor was a slave. Humanity is a melting pot, and we are all mongrels here.

I don't carry any angst whatsoever. If I came across like that, then that wasn't my intent. I was merely stating what the look of the "collar & chain" represents to me and me only.

As I began to read OP's inital posting, that was the image that came to mind. Now when I got towards the end, I knew exactly what direction she was headed.

I don't know about 'huge loads'. But some baggage, surely, yes, I do. A great portion of that baggage comes from people who want to say 'pix or it didn't happen' so to speak. Who want to blow it off and act like there's nothing but lovey dovey in the world today, so get over the fact that slavery is in your ancestry. It's part of me, always will be. And every time I'm in a store where I have to show 3 pieces of ID in comparison to the blonde in front of me not having to show any, it comes back and smacks me in the face that yes, it's still out there. Just more 'civilized' and politically correct, a tad more quiet. You are right about one thing though, I *do* get where the OP is coming from, and it isn't this. Still, for some of us, *this* comes to mind first and that's just the way it is.

sable...once again, my comment was not aimed at you specifically, it was general in nature.

Treasure...I would say that what happened to your ancestors is not a "part of you", unless you allow it to be. As for how people treat you today...well, point out that jerk of a clerk and I will come over and help you castrate him.

That ^^ and similiar thing happened to me. The blonde used her AMEX card to make a purchase wasn't asked a thing. I pulled mine out to make my purchase and was asked what is my phone number and photo ID.

I get this all the time. My name, my ethnicity, and my appearance are three unrelated things that many people have a lot of trouble dealing with.

On the one hand I'm glad they check the ID - prevent theft of my cards and all that. But on the other hand I can see from the way they treat others that if a thief who's appearance matched the ethnicity commonly found among people with my name tried to use my stuff, she wouldn't get carded.

Nor would she be asked by a security guard if she needed assistance every-time she went anywhere...

So, everyone who reads this thread THINKS they know what I have posted BUT when they've vented their spleen against me and what I was asking they realize my intent and that - for the most part - I was talking about the "other kinda slavery". BUT I am NOT STOPPING anyone here from using this thread to discuss this "non-PC" subject. BUT, I must ask, how can anything as important to our cultures as this crucial part of our human history be described as politically incorrect? We must not be frightened of discussing people's inhumanity to other people otherwise we will repeat the same mistakes.

It's a "Jig-Thread" - read me carefully. So far, from what I have garnered by the comments, it's doubtful that any slaves of any kind exist here.

I must reiterate that I abhor the actuality of slavery. It is despicable and outrageous. All forms of slavery have some economic conditions applied. To be a slave means some kind of remittance to someone has taken place. I was told in a conference I attended that there are more slaves today than at any other time in human history - economic, sex trade, child, labour etc. I can believe it.

In my family direct blood-line (Grandmother etc. to mother to daughter) are traceable genetic links and oral and written history of slavery. My own skin colour is white-ish coffee (kinda nice actually).

Please talk and comment. I am sure Lindens will look favourably upon this valid discussion.