When Amnesia Breeds Amnesia

In the 'politically correct' media I often read headlines
written in outraged tones that declare 'End slavery now!'
often after the latest discovery of some shocking abuse
by people (mostly men) who hid how they did not care
who they hurt, until they were inevitably found out.

It is mostly men because...  ...they are the gender
most linked with evolving ideas of ownership, trade
and values of exchange where those are enslaved
are the most convinced before they can think otherwise
that their sole worth is in the value of their labour to others.

History is the history of empires, peoples and leaders
who through warfare have engorged themselves
to become the sole subject of the historical narrative,
after having swallowed whole, and anonymised,
the many smaller countries in their paths.

In this historical narrative live the roots of slavery.
But it is incorrect, if not inconceivable, for todays generation
to look beyond their lifespan for where the roots of cruelty come from.

Any generation that cannot see beyond itself
will reproduce the same myopia future,
and is setting itself up to be forgotten.