Trump on Sunday pushed the Washington Commanders NFL team to return to its previous name, which was scrapped five years ago because it included a word that many view as a slur against Native Americans.
The president also threatened to block a complicated deal for the Commanders to return to a stadium in Washington, D.C., unless they return to the name “Washington Redskins.”
“The Washington “Whatever’s” should IMMEDIATELY change their name back to the Washington Redskins Football Team. There is a big clamoring for this,” Mr. Trump wrote.
Pretty simple. When you don’t have a choice in the terms of your agreement. Then, in addition, it is legal to beat the shit out of you for any reason, and in some cases kill a person under such conditions. All protected by law, in many cases with no contract termination. And throughout the remainder of your life, you’ll work tirelessly and thanklessly; all while owning no property or possessing any rights your own.
If you think your analogy holds up, fine. I just think it is hyperbole of the highest order.
There are lots of different types of slavery, some like you described, but even during the American slave era, there were differences between slaves. Not all were consigned to work in the fields to their deaths. Many were house slaves, and lived moderately easier lives. Some slaves were allowed to work personal jobs off the plantation, and keep the money, some were able to travel within their jobs, and some could even eventually purchase their freedom. Others were forced into the sugar cane fields in Louisiana or the Caribbean, and driven to work until their deaths, usually within a few brutal years. That’s a wide spectrum of experience among slaves.
Obviously, the modern day athlete is not a perfect equivalent, but they do lose much of their autonomy when they sign a contract. At that point, their lives, and their families,’ are in the hands of a money-obsessed Sociopathic Oligarch, who sees the athletes he OWNS as his personal property.
The system resembles slavery more than it doesn’t.
It really doesn’t. They are not owned. They accept contracts of their own volition and are represented by unions. Are slaves represented by unions? This is just silly.