Now Appearing in an Extended Engagement! Join David Robison as he takes you into his world and his daily life of reviving a stand-up comedy career. Prepare for side trips exploring the "art" of salesmanship and business ethics and his experience with Multi-level Marketing. Enjoy some frequent detours describing his observations on life. Read the exploits of this self-proclaimed Renaissance-man and blooming blogger as you go
On The Road With Dave.
QuickBrowser ( a program that only appeared in my taskbar, weeks ago. )
Internet Explorer has caused an error
An Error Message that says "No Internet Connection can be found, Work Offline"
Rundll32 Application fails to initialize.
Well, my theory is they all have someting to do with my inability to stay online more than a few minutes without my computer shutting down.
And an inexplicable urge for my computer to freeze shortly after loading Windows.
Rest assured, I have the finest minds available working on the problem, with little or no pay. Hope to have the problem solved in a few days, Keep checking back, blogging may still be carried on during the small gaps of "luck" that I have logging on to the Internet.
Dave
"At home, but not traveling on the Internet Highway at any speed"
Life's journey is not to arrive at the grave safely in a well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, totally worn out, shouting "...Holy crap...what a ride!!"
Yesterday I spent the day in Gulf Shores, Alabama with my family and friends. It was "Thunder on The Bay" speedboat racing. I watched several classes of "cigarette boats" race offshore at top speeds nearing 200MPH. It was an exciting set of races, which included the Bacardi Silver speedboat that holds speed records on the water. These boats average $1.5 Million dollars in cost. Between races there was plenty of food and drinks and company. My hat's off to the hosts.
But, after a week off; today it was back to the grind.
My partner has a new house we are preparing to do some minor work on. (New paint, some drywall work, new carpet, new kitchen cabinets, and installing a shower to give the house two complete baths. (yep, this is what my partner considers "minor work")
The house should be available to rent by mid-September.
In other news, Dave Stone over at MLM Today reprinted an article I wrote at an Internet forum on the Negative Perceptions of MLM. I had sent him the article in answer to a question on the History of MLM he had posed at his blog. You can read it at Dave's site. Thanks again Dave, and I'm glad you enjoyed my answer.
(two "blogging Daves", can the world handle it?)
For those that are awaiting my first installment of my FOCUS ON: series, gimme another day or two...I began scheduling and some preliminary stuff, and have been writing the draft of each installment, but alas, I just don't feel they are ready for public viewing yet. Bear with me.
I've been home in Alabama, since Wednesday. Took a few days off from blogging to catch up on "home" work, and spend time with my family.
Last week I mentioned that as September rolls around, I begin to think of new goals and revised plans; and that has been on my mind these past few days.
As a "self-proclaimed Renaissance-man", my interests and desires tend to be varied. This is a two-edged sword at times. Although it allows me to explore and learn a great many subjects, it also divides my time to a point, that at times, I get little else done.
Even in my blog's description, I divide my interests that I want to discuss into several subjects.
Now Appearing in his Blogging Debut, David Robison takes you into the world of Multi-level Marketing, his daily life as a partner in a home renovation/handyman business, trials and tribulations of beginning real estate investment, and the hopeful aspirations of reviving a comedy career. Read the exploits of this self-proclaimed Renaissance-man and budding blogger as you go On the Road with Dave.
In the next few days, I want to discuss these topics and my plans for these interests in a series I will entitle FOCUS ON:.
My personal webpage is titled ONLINE AND IN FOCUS and so I will endeavor to get back "in focus" with these subjects.
As I mentioned once before, sometimes you can get lost in the daily routine of reading other blogs, message boards, chatting with friends, and lose sight of actually being "in bidness".
Many MLMers often talk about their "business" a great deal, without actually conducting any viable activity that leads to sales or profit. They claim to have a business, but have very little, other than a business card.
They equate their time online, as "work time", but it's little more than socially gathering at the online watercooler. I'm guilty of it on many days.
But, I have a family, a job, a business, and some further business aspirations, that if I want to succeed at; then I must schedule my time, make concerted plans, and implement them on a daily basis with persistence and focus. I need to stay "On the Road" and not veer over to the shoulder.
Without these activities then I, too, become just another geek on the "net" typing away online, without living life offline as well.
Join me over the next few days, as I take FOCUS on these plans and goals.
Third things first...Tomorrow I head back to Alabama. All projects and loose ends have been taken care of, up here in Maryland. Time to go home and make new plans for the total re-location and re-opening of my partner's business.
I also have some plans of my own to work on, before the end of the month. September is a common month to begin a fiscal year in a business. Although it's not my fiscal year, I often use September as a "New Year's Eve" to get a head start on new goals and plans. So I have a few weeks to "get my ducks in a row" for some new plans.
Now, on to some other thoughts.
Quixtar has initiated a new website. It's an "online monthly e-zine" called eBuzz.
This month features an article on web logs; blogging to you and me.
Here's a clip from the article.
What started out a few years ago as an online personal diary of sorts, has now grown into its own industry. Its estimated that there are now millions of people who "blog." Blog = Read blogs, have blogs, post comments on blogs.
Who Are These People?
"One would think the younger generation would be perusing blogs day and night. 30% are between 31 and 40 years, while more than 37% are 41 to 60 years old. Only 17% of blog readers fall between 25 and 30 years, while a mere 10.3% are 19 to 24 years old," says Eunice Park, Associate Editor of Imedia.
Blog Reader Stats by Blogads
80% male
40% have income of $90K or more
10.3% between ages 19 and 24
30% between ages 31 and 40
37% between ages 37 and 41
Most are information enthusiastic. They read―a lot.
They subscribe to publications like National Geographic and The New Yorker
Internet is the primary news source for this group
Don't make any business decisions based on this Blogads information, but value it for the trending information. The sample size was small (under 1800 people).
The article starts out mentioning "lifestyle" products, such as Harley Davidson. It's interesting to me they use that example because I mentioned the same company when I did my entry on "Cult-Brands". Oh well, I guess I'm ahead of my time. (By at least a week, anyway)
Today's thought is my late father's favorite poem, and was how he lived most of his life. It's good advice on how we all should live.
I'd Rather See A Sermon
I'd rather see a sermon than hear one any day;
I'd rather one should walk with me than merely tell the way.
The eye's a better pupil and more willing than the ear,
Fine counsel is confusing, but example's always clear;
And the best of all the preachers are the men who live their creeds,
For to see good put in action is what everybody needs.
I soon can learn to do it if you'll let me see it done;
I can watch your hands in action, but your tongue too fast may run.
And the lecture you deliver may be very wise and true,
But I'd rather get my lessons by observing what you do;
For I might misunderstand you and the high advise you give,
But there's no misunderstanding how you act and how you live.
When I see a deed of kindness, I am eager to be kind.
When a weaker brother stumbles and a strong man stays behind
Just to see if he can help him, then the wish grows strong in me
To become as big and thoughtful as I know that friend to be.
And all travelers can witness that the best of guides today
Is not the one who tells them, but the one who shows the way.
One good man teaches many, men believe what they behold;
One deed of kindness noticed is worth forty that are told.
Who stands with men of honor learns to hold his honor dear,
For right living speaks a language which to every one is clear.
Though an able speaker charms me with his eloquence, I say,
I'd rather see a sermon than to hear one, any day.
Okay, my ego and curiosity has got the best of me. I have been wondering how many visits I have received to my little blog over the last two months. By the way, it has been two months officially today, that this adventure began.
So today, I have added Site Meter to my blog to help me track visitors that decide to go with me "On The Road". You'll notice the new counter at the bottom of the page, on each and every visit.
I have cheated somewhat on the counter. I know for a fact, using Blogger's Dashboard, that my Profile here at Blogger has been viewed 74 times; so that's the count I started with, instead of Zero. I hope no one minds.
Think of it in terms of this long "Road" trip, it's an odometer. The trip just gets longer, from here on out.
There seems to be some confusion going on about political parties, political ideologies, and even religious affiliations; and how they relate to Quixtar IBOs.
Apparently, because some of the large Lines of Sponsorship in Quixtar are vocal about their Republican affiliation and their strong religious convictions; most outside the Quixtar world believe these things to be true of all IBOs.
One recent blogger has gone on record as saying (paraphrasing)that if you are against Quixtar, then you must be a commie pinko liberal Democrat.
Well, I'm not against Quixtar. But, neither am I a Republican.
In case anyone is wondering about MY affiliations, here's the scoop.
1) I'm a registered Democrat.
2) I'm morally against abortion as a means of mere birth control, but I stand behind the Supreme Court.
3) I grew up in a fundamental Christian faith rooted in the Restoration Movement, but I am a "student" of religious history, and do not blindly go with theological doctrine on all matters.
4) I believe in prayer, just not led by anyone in our schools. If you were Jewish, would you want your child to be led in a Christian prayer, in Jesus's name?
5) I believe that every American should have affordable health care provided for them
6)I believe oil companies are gouging the American public.
7)I believe that environmentalism is a good thing, and should not be counterproductive to business, but embraced.
8)I disagree with PETA, but defend their right to take that stand.
9)Michael Moore makes great movies.
10)Rosie Perez is a "hottie". (okay, that's a universal truth, not just my own)
Will any of these beliefs of mine affect how I do business? Sure. They will attract some people and repel others. That's the nature of owning a business.
Yes, I may be a tree-hugging, ACLU-defending, liberal whack-job, Democrat, but I'm also a Quixtar IBO. And as long as I conduct my business properly, that is okay with the folks at Quixtar Corporation. We have the Right to Differ.
OK, they aren't really in the news, just on my mind.
First on my mind is Quixtatic. This is another Quixtar employee's blog; written by a guy named Vincent. Vincent has even paid a visit to my little blog. I'll be adding a link to his blog in my "Links that I Like" section.
Second and third blogs that are getting some attention on other blogs; are two blogs that are polar opposites on the issue of Quixtar. The first is by a guy named Qrush. Now, first let me say, that I agree with very, very little that this guy says. He attacks a good friend of mine, his views are politically at odds with my own, and his idea of a Quixtar business, is much like, what has spawned so many "anti" sites. All in all, I would not choose him as a sponsor, nor probably a friend.
But, the guy is using "blogging" and the Internet in its purest form. He is publishing his views, getting reactions(other blog press), and his voice is being heard.
His critics are denouncing his blog, for its lack of "Comments", but they continue to quote his entries in their own blogs. They basically accuse him of not standing up for the debate, and hiding behind the "no Comments" feature.
But, if we are to believe his words; he is receiving voluminous private email from supporters, as well, as critics. You may search for Qrush on your own.
Qrush's current target is Bo Short. Mr. Short's blog is the second of these "polar opposites". Mr. Short is a FormerDiamond of Amway and Quixtar. He left Quixtar and founded his own company selling a similar line of core personal care products. You may search for FormerDiamond the same way, you can search for QRush.
Mr. Short was also interviewed by NBC's Dateline for the show's expose' on Quixtar some month's back.
Mr. Short's company, Passport, has many representatives with their own blogs. Mr Short's blog is not about his own company, but rather about his experiences in his old IBOship with Quixtar. Needless to say, his blog is not kind to Quixtar. I'm sure that Mr. Short feels his concerns with his old line of sponsorship warrants his comments in his blog. I won't dispute any of his opinions.
His distributor's blogs tend to refer often to their own experience with Quixtar, and why they also left Quixtar. They also "champion" Mr. Short's blog, and link to it on their own site, as well as their Passport distributorship site.
The "thrust" of their opinions are that Bo Short is changing Network Marketing. That, Passport is the way things should be done, and that Passport is what Quixtar should have been.
Oddly enough, none of the Passport rep's blogs mention any concern or denounce the fact that Mr. Short's blog also does not allow comments, only private email.
Oh well, that's what's in the "news" here at WDAVE, until next time, This has been Dave Robison; On the Road.
On September 1st, 1999; Quixtar began as a new company derived from the existing Amway Corporation. Quixtar began a website a few months prior to the launch to generate interest in the soon to be announced company. The website was simply Countdown9199.com.
The launch of Quixtar was plauged with server problems that first day of the launch, but survived and has later thrived through it's first five years.
Quixtar's fiscal year 2004-5 begins September 1, 2004. With this upcoming anniversary, the Countdown9199 site is back up with a new message. Makes ya wonder what is in store for the next five years.
Vacation is over. Had a super time in New Orleans. It was a whirlwind 24 hours, but well worth it. But now, it's time to go back to work. This morning I leave for Maryland again to finish two projects. Hopefully this is my last necessary trip back up there.
I'll be computer-less during these next ten days, so my entries might be sporadic, but don't get disheartened and leave my little blog for good. I promise I'll update, if and when possible, so keep making your daily visits.
I received my latest edition of Quixtar's Store for More catalog in the mail a few days ago. I was dissapointed that they discontinued offering a few pieces of "living room" furniture in this edition. (I'm in need of a loveseat and recliner for the new "family room" and I always liked their furniture layouts) Guess I'll seek something offline or pay a visit to their Partner Store site. There might be something for me at one of the other Partner merchants at Quixtar.
But that brings me to the second part of today's entry. Am I being cult-like because I chose to look at Quixtar first?
BusinessWeekOnline is running an article on "Cult-Branding". (If you have an AOL connection, the article text is here, without registering at BusinessWeekOnline.) Why do people insist on preferring one brand over another? Do "Apple" people really buy Apple Computers because they do something different from a Windows computer? Can everyone be drinking coffe at Starbucks because it really is worth the almost 7 bucks for a cup? And aren't there much better motorcycles on the market other than Harley-Davidson? (Well, not in my opinion)
Here's a clip from the article:
GROUP THINK
The goal: to foster a sense of shared experience and of belonging. Starbucks Chairman Howard D. Schultz balks at the notion that his brand, which ranks 98th in our survey and jumped 12% in value this year, is about selling various iterations of coffee. Says Schultz: "The product is the experience." His shops may sell latte, but what people really crave is the hip, relaxed ambiance, the music, even the baristas who remember the regulars' favorite concoctions. Sounds crazy? Not to student Amy Berkman. Approach her at her favorite New York City outlet and she lets forth a stream of opinions on everything from ideal chair configurations in the store to the type of mustard they should use on their ham-and-cheese sandwiches. "Something more tangy and grainy would work better," she says, sipping on her daily chai latte. She cares because this is where she hangs out with her friends. Berkman doesn't like coffee; she likes the experience of being at Starbucks.
The brands that have managed to build cultlike followings have done so by being, well, cultlike, at least in some aspects. They are self-consciously different from rivals. They're bound by a set of clearly defined and rigorously enforced values. And they fulfill a range of needs for their members -- er, customers. The fastest-growing ones often project a an aura, an attractive group identity. Conjure up an image of an Armani customer or a Porsche driver and it will evoke a set of personality characteristics as much as it evokes a product preference. They also beget proselytizers -- customers who will chat up the brands to their buddies, set up Web sites, attend events, and proudly identify themselves as adherents, according to strategist Douglas Atkin of ad agency Merkley & Partners, who recently wrote The Culting of Brands. Nobody has to pay them. They are owners as well as customers.
The classic example of a cult brand is Harley-Davidson. The 101-year-old brand gained 4% in value this year to $7.1 billion. Sure, there are new models like the sleek V-Rod line and fresh features aimed at wooing women, but the real buzz comes from the 886,000 members of the company-sponsored Harley Owners Group. They're the ones who organize rides, training courses, social events, and charity fund-raisers. They pore through motorcycle magazines and wear the Harley-branded gear to feel more like rugged individualists and outlaws when they hit the road on weekends. A quarter of a million of them descended on Milwaukee last Labor Day to celebrate the brand's centennial. No wonder more than half of new Harley sales are to current customers who are trading up. The brand is self-reinforcing.
It doesn't take a cool category like motorcycles to yield a cult brand. Some are found in far more mundane sectors -- like furniture retailing. In Shanghai, Wang Jian Shuo runs a Web blog that, among other things, delves into his likes and dislikes with No. 40 Ikea, the Swedish furniture chain that offers modestly priced, ready-to-assemble furniture with cute names. He writes about everything from the 12 cents ice cream cones in the store cafeterias to how, as a newly graduated student in 1999, he spent his first month's salary on a "Billy Bookcase." Notes Wang: "Ikea seems to know my life better than any other furniture brand." Among those posting responses to his musings are a Malaysian fan who started his own Ikea forum and another who makes jokes about Swedish meatballs.
Anyway, those are my early morning thoughts, I hope to see everyone at least once or twice this week. In the meantime, Think Creative and Think for yourself.
There will be no blog entry on Saturday, August 7, 2004.
I'm taking my family and my business partners for a night in New Orleans.
That means several hours at Harrah's Casino, several hours on Bourbon Street, a possible swamp tour or Trolley tour, and breakfast tomorrow morning at the Olde Coffee Pot on Peter Street. Man, that's good eating there! Plus, tomorrow night is the White Linen Festival down on Camp Street
But with all those "several hours" everywhere, I won't probably be blogging by tomorrow night.
Click on the Bourbon Street webcam tomorrow night and you may see me walk by.
I'll be sure to drink a Hurricane at Pat O'Brien's in your honor!
After so many months of work, I'm On The Road to some fun!
Imagine, if you will, a smoked-filled room tucked away in the basement of some small church. 20 or 30 chairs are arranged in rows. A podium sits at the front of the room. A small table is set up at the back of the room as you enter through the door. On the table sits a Bunn coffee brewer, Styrofoam cups, sugar and creamer. Sugar is spilled on the table as well as small puddles of coffee.
As you walk in, you first notice an old guy getting coffee. His hands shake as he lifts the pot from the warmer.
You glance around the room, a small group of five people, stand in a circle; talking and laughing nervously. Their eyes dart around toward you as you enter, and then settle back on each other. One woman in a short sleeve shirt stands listening intently to a bearded man. She scratches at healing scabs on the inside of her elbow and forearm.
An elderly couple sit in the folding chairs at the front of the room. Both are puffing feverishly on the cigarettes in their mouths. Smoke billows toward the ceiling. In the front corner, a well-kempt lady in a simple dress seems to be crying as she discusses something important-sounding to another younger woman in jeans and a t-shirt.
You are approached by a nice looking man in a suit and are welcomed to have a seat. The rest of the attendees all take a seat with you, as a small man with glasses walks in front of the podium and says,
"Hi Everyone, my name is Stan and I'm a "Survivor."
The audience in unison says, "Hi Stan!"
What are they survivors of? Some in attendance would say addiction. Some would say "rape". Others would say "mind control". In reality, they are all "survivors" of bad business decisions. They cloak these decisions of bad business under the umbrella of being...
get ready....
former MLM distributors.
And where does this "meeting" take place? No, not as I described. It takes place on the internet, Yahoo Groups, specifically, at MLM Survivors.
I joined this group, not as a survivor, but as an observer. My focus was to learn what I could from these people, in order to conduct my own business in a way that would not produce a "survivor", or disgruntled ex-Quixtar IBO.
The group was started by Ruth Carter(a pseudonym). Ms "Carter" wrote an "expose" of the Amway opportunity entitled Smoke and Mirrors. The "survivors" at the group talk about their experiences and the way they were scammed by unscrupulous Amway/Quixtar distributors, who forced them to spend countless dollars on motivational material in order to "build their business."
I have no qualms with their complaints of these so-called motivational organizations. My biggest complaint was the often used example that they were like rape survivors or recovering alcoholics with an addiction. Also, as a totally biased group, they are free to express any opinion of a person still involved in MLM(a pro-MLMer) but that same person does not enjoy the same freedom. He must be constrained by another set of rules. Basically, nothing positive about MLM can be stated.
The issue of "healing" is often touted, by there seems to be more "dredging" up the past, than moving on with their lives. Most recovering alcoholics, drug addicts and rape survivors spend less time discussing THEIR ordeal than anyone at MLM Survivors.
This is a comment I received from a pro-MLMer about her experience at MLM Survivor:
I'd like to take a moment to rant on the MLM "Survivors" forum. Has anyone here ever dealt with them? That group is more cult-like than a Britt/Amway meeting back in the '70's, held in the deep south in a church on Easter Sunday.
What's ironic is that they put down how in many companies MLMers are encouraged to avoid negative people and negative news stories in order to remain positive. They complain about how they're hidden from the truth, not allowed to think for themselves and are brainwashed. HOWEVER, if positive things are said about MLM on the forum, it's censored.
Here's a quote made by the moderator regarding Len Clements' posts:
"Len will not be answering. He attempted to post a message that clearly violated our rules, and he has been silenced. (As our rules state, there is a double standard with regards to pro-MLMers. Insults and argumentation in favor of MLM are not permitted here. Additionally, when pro-MLMers make claims, they are expected to back them up with verifiable evidence. We try to allow some latitude, but when arguments start appearing claiming that black is white, rules have to be enforced.)"
They "protect" their members by making sure the information presented is geared toward their point of view. And the shielding of their members from any MLM influence (they refer to the group as similar to alcoholics or rape victims in need of protection), isn't the worst part. It's the encouraging of reliving every bad moment they've ever experienced in MLM over and over and over. They were all "deceived" and "tricked" into any mistake they've ever made, taking no responsibility for a single bad business decision.
Their site, by nature, lures MLMers in to see what all the hoopla is about. They allow them in, but I suspect it's so they can, without provocation, freely bash them and take out their anger with open prejudice on complete strangers. And the constant writhing in contention and bitterness that goes on while claiming they are "healing" from their horrendous experiences is almost to the point of twisted and sick. It's the most mentally unhealthy forum I have EVER seen. I told them from an outsider's point of view, it was mentally unhealthy.... but guess what? They pulled my post before anyone saw it.
I choose to stay involved with Quixtar, not because I am involved in one of the organizations that MLM Survivors rail against, but because I believe and have always believed that Good Business can overcome Bad business. As a Quixtar IBO, highlight the Independent part of Independent Business Owner and act accordingly. Books tapes and rallies are not the way of Good business. Conduct your distributorship as a reality based business. Sell Products, conduct proper training, watch your expenses, cut your losses and you will never have to be a "Survivor".
I've been reading some MLM Blogs and Quixtar blogs lately.
The majority of the Quixtar blogs I have found; talk a great deal about Quixtar, BUT, they are written by people in a competing MLM. Their purpose is to express the author's dissatisfaction with the Quixtar opportunity, gossip about Quixtar IBOs who run organizations in a questionable manner, and to subtly, or not so subtly, promote their own company.
Only one blog: The original QuixtarBlog maintains it's original mission fairly intact. Although the blog is still not favorable to the Quixtar opportunity as it exists among some organizations, the author has no ulterior motive that I can see.
In retaliation, several IBOs who run these "questionable" organizations are blanketing the "net" with a flurry of blog activity of their own. I suppose they are hoping, some how, to deflect the negativity with positive fluff.
Among all these MLM-oriented blogs, the fur is flying.
But, I recently found a blog by someone using the pseudonym of Figure 8, who is quietly writing his own little Quixtar blog. He's not an IBO, nor does he seem to have a particular axe to grind.
He's an employee of Quixtar; stuck in his self-described "cube", plugging away at Quixtar headquarters. Not all his posts deal with Quixtar; he occasionally fills us in on his personal life. But since I am an IBO, and I like to hear corporate inside "chatter'; his blog is a great read.
From the blog's description:
Quixtar and beyond
Well I thought I'd write about my life here in the cube farm at Quixtar and also the slightly more entertaining things I get up to outside of Quixtar.
Pay it a visit, and feel free to come back and tell me what you thought.
For the last several days, I have been silent. I wanted to post several things since I have been home, but felt each time I wrote something, it was being written for just the sake of having something down in the blog.
I received an email today, from a good friend in the UK. He occasionally sends me quotes, news stories, etc. I like to refer to him as my "continuing education" professor. He teaches at Oxford, and is great at opening up my views on particular topics, including MLM.
So today, this entry is courtesy of my friend. It has nothing to do with construction, Quixtar, and is in no way bordering on comedic. But it is well worth blogging about.
After the story, I am posting a link to one his favorite organizations.
Mauritania has outlawed slavery three times. But this former French colony of only two million people probably contains the world's largest concentration of chattel slaves. In 1993, the U.S. State Department estimated that up to 90,000 blacks live as the property of North African Arabs (known as Beydanes, or white Moors). Other sources add 300,000 part-time and ex-slaves, known as haratins, many of whom continue to serve their owners out of fear or need. Local anti-slavery group El Hor ("The Free") estimates that as many as one million haratins.
The slaves are chattel. They are used for house or farm labor, for sex, and for breeding. They may be exchanged for camels, trucks, guns, or money. Their children are the property of the master. They are born, live, and die as slaves. Africans in Mauritania were converted to Islam over 100 years ago, but though the Koran forbids the enslavement of fellow Muslims, in this case race outranks religious doctrine. Indeed, the black Muslim slaves of Mauritania are generally forbidden to share the basic rights of Muslims in even the poorest of countries: They may not marry, attend school, or go to mosque.
In 1990, the widely respected Human Rights Watch/Africa reported that "routine" punishments for the slightest fault include beatings, denial of food, and prolonged exposure to the sun with hands and feet tied together. "Serious" infringement of the master's rule are met with a variety of tortures, including "the insect treatment." Tiny ants are stuffed into the ears, which are sealed with stones and bound with a scarf. Hands and feet are tied and the errant slave is left for several days, after which, the rights group reports, he will do what he is told.
Unlike other victims, the black slaves of Mauritania and Sudan have had no powerful allies. In 1993, the American Anti-Slavery Group (AASG) began a campaign to bring the plight of these slaves to national attention. We've had some success: The NAACP passed a resolution pledging to "come to the front lines of this battle." The chairman of the Congressional Black Caucus, Donald Payne (D-New Jersey), pledged congressional action. Cong. Barney Frank (D-Massachusetts) initiated legislation requiring America to cut aid to Mauritania in response to the slavery there. These are all good signs. But to the people whose bodies, sweat, and blood are owned by others, whose every day is hellish, signs are not quite enough.
WHAT CAN BE DONE?
Why is it that modern-day slaves get so little attention in the West, which prides itself on responding to other sorts of human-rights violations? Mike Dottridge, the ASI's research manager, suggests much is explained by the Cold War origins of human-rights campaigning. "The focus was on political and human rights, which were being abrogated and abused by governments, not individuals or industries," he explains. Victims embraced by the West --dissidents and intellectuals, "prisoners of conscience," and torture victims -- are defended by pressuring governments, which indeed can be moved. (And many are from the same social class as their human-rights defenders, who naturally identify with them.)
The case of slavery is quite different. Most of the problem is abject poverty and systematic methods employed by local power holders to exploit the weak. Governments are not the source of these phenomena -- though they can be bought off or even become co-conspirators. In the face of such scenarios, people in the West feel impotent: What can they do if local power groups conspire to live parasitically off the powerless? How can they intervene in the private sphere when abuses come from private citizens, not governments?
In addition, when it comes to problems based on overwhelming poverty, people in the West feel deep guilt -- their comparative wealth becomes a stinging moral burden -- and turn their backs. The human race has few Mother Teresas.
Finally, Dottridge complains, "There's always the 'show me the picture' problem." Photographs of modern-day slavery will not reveal whips, auctions, and chains. They depict complex power relationships -- debt bondage, forced labor, the sorts of servitude that come from social power, not direct physical force. Cruel hierarchies are not seen in a snapshot.
And so abolitionists around the world are using new methods to fight the ancient scourge of slavery. Countries in the developed world and their citizen consumers are being urged to say no to products made with forced labor; to do no business with or touring of countries that engage in slavery-like practices; and to press their governments, as Zimmer and Frank are doing, to act against slaving nations.
The efforts of abolitionists should be supported. In this, the 21st century, surely the world cannot abide the hideous practice of human bondage. Or can it?
