Dignity and Dehumanization: The True Cost of Oppression

The modern Western economy does not rely on formal human enslavement as in the past, yet human trafficking persists globally. This ongoing issue of oppression, regardless of its current form, raises essential questions about its relevance to present-day individuals. The core problem lies in the dehumanization that slavery engenders, stripping away the dignity of individuals and distorting the divine image within both the oppressed and the oppressor. This distortion echoes a primordial lie that suggests superiority over others, affirming that every act of oppression continues to mar the essence of humanity, akin to the biblical narratives. Recognizing this allows for a broader application of moral and ethical teachings to contemporary societal issues.