Talk:Slavery

Improvement needed
The section “Dependents” lacks proper context, specially the sentence referring to “Persia” seems to be out of place and not providing and proper information. The picture included in this section also seems irrelevant. Marjmandi (talk) 01:02, 24 February 2024 (UTC)

"enslave*" vs "slave*"
(I'm using * to mean "all the varieties" like *.txt) It's clear that across wikipedia there has been a coordinated replacement of slave* words with enslave* words. Was this a grassroots effort, or is there a policy discussion/decision that took place which I could read someplace? This article says that there are several POVs on the subject, but it does not explain why wikipedia has chosen one POV. 207.237.14.175 (talk) 21:44, 30 March 2024 (UTC)


 * I believe it to be grassroots. It seems to me to be similar to the shifting terms over the last 125 years for respectfully referring to African-Americans or indigenous peoples. Peaceray (talk) 15:35, 31 March 2024 (UTC)

Why is the picture of a Black man used for the GENERAL topic of slavery?
African Americans are constantly reminded that "everyone has been slaves before - and they should just get over it. So why is the picture of a Black man used as the main picture under the topic of Slavery".

Does this not lead to further stigmatization?

What is the rationale for using this picture for the GENERAL topic of Slavery (not enslavement of Africans in the US specifically?). 89.243.98.112 (talk) 19:28, 4 April 2024 (UTC)


 * I'd suggest the reason is twofold. Firstly, there probably aren't too many photos available of those earlier slave populations. And secondly, Wikipedia has a systemic bias towards things American. Neither of these reasons make it an ideal pic. HiLo48 (talk) 23:11, 4 April 2024 (UTC)
 * I am not entirely convinced that what you posit, is an entirely good faith argument for WHY this picture is being used as the placeholder for slavery - and has hitherto gone unchallenged.
 * I was made aware of this picture as a result of an altercation between pupils in a school I teach. There had been disagreement between one group and another, and as things escalated the other group "white" children started making skin color based disparaging remarks to the other children (African heritage).
 * The group of "white" children then started referring to the other group as "slaves" - and then made the remark that "everybody knows that you are slaves" - just look on the internet for the world "Slave" - even Wikipedia has a photo of a guy who looks just like "your" Dad (pointing to one of the children in the other group)" - of course, at this point, things turned physical, and I and some of the other teachers stepped in to diffuse the situation.
 * The children from the group that was assaulted (verbally, then physically), were understandably, very upset - and asked me why they (as African descended people) are always being told that everyone was a slave before, and yet still they are always the "poster boy" for slavery, and yet are told to "forget the past and move on" - when they are constantly being stigmatized in the media and by society at large, due to the "momentum of history".
 * I had no answer for them. The fact is that whether intentional or not, this picture DOES CAUSE HARM - and perpetuates negative stereotypes and stigmas. I can see no reason why this picture is being used in the GENERAL topic of Slavery. It would be more appropriate to use such a picture in the specific case of Trans-Atlantic Slavery, or Slavery in the Americas.
 * My entire class are watching the communication on here - as it provides a real-time pulse of underlying sentiments, empathy (or lack thereof) and bias in society.
 * I will propose a different picture, and I believe the conversations that ensue will be very informative to all. 89.243.98.112 (talk) 07:36, 12 April 2024 (UTC)
 * I can assure you my comment WAS made in good faith, including the bit where I said "Neither of these reasons make it an ideal pic". I would support any sensible proposal for a better pic. HiLo48 (talk) 08:39, 12 April 2024 (UTC)
 * Suggesting a different first image is fine, but there are many images in this article, images of African people and of African descent. Maybe it won't be the first image, but probably the second, third or fourth. Nothing in the article suggests people descended from enslaved Africans "should just get over it" and that an image "leads to further stigmatization". It's a reflection of historical accuracy, of the sources available. For what it's worth, I moved the infobox up, which generally goes before any image, for readability and navigation sake. I don't know how to answer your question otherwise.  soetermans . ↑↑↓↓←→←→ B A TALK 08:49, 12 April 2024 (UTC)

 Comment : Perhaps an additional picture of an ancient representation of slavery could suffice? This the oldest and precise ancient representation of slavery that I found in commons, dating to ancient Rome. Kwesi Yema (talk) 09:01, 12 April 2024 (UTC)


 * The picture you suggested, is a good neutral one (doesn't target a demographic CURRENTLY stigmatised by the topic of Slavery).
 * The picture however, that has replaced the original, is very telling. It is quite telling that your (presumably from your name) African voice is being silenced, and the opinion of the African descended children in my school, are similarly being silenced.
 * There is useful information in all of this. 89.243.98.112 (talk) 11:18, 22 April 2024 (UTC)

Semi-protected edit request on 30 April 2024
Change slave to enslaved person. More neutral language. Slave is not an inherit identity, enslavement was involuntary. 2600:1702:508B:B210:4452:2AB0:EFE8:8922 (talk) 00:49, 30 April 2024 (UTC)
 * Red information icon with gradient background.svg Not done for now: please establish a consensus for this alteration before using the template.   (talk | contribs) 01:22, 30 April 2024 (UTC)

Kiosk slavery
Coerced into free labor. 2603:6010:7AF0:5A10:79EC:AFB9:586F:307C (talk) 01:21, 6 June 2024 (UTC)
 * Can you please elaborate on that comment. It's quite unclear what it means to me . HiLo48 (talk) 03:38, 6 June 2024 (UTC)