Teaching a lesson on slavery

Slavery, often thought to be an ugly fact of the past, was at the forefront Wedneday at Roosevelt and Normandin middle schools.

Students and staff observed United Nations International Day for the Abolition of Slavery, declared 60 years ago to bring awareness to plight of the approximately 27 million people in the world languishing under modern day slavery.

“Slaves range from very young to adults,” read student Brooke Vinagre during Roosevelt’s Abolition Day assembly. “They get sold, auctioned off and are taken away from their families. Shockingly, slavery still exits in many parts of the world including Thailand, Pakistan, India, Albania and even the United States … A slave in America during the Civil War could cost upwards of $600. Today, a child slave can be purchased for as little as $30.” read full story