Modern-Day Slavery By: Tracy Braham

They talk that slavery’s been abolished a long time ago.

For the most part, it's still here, and that we pretend not to know

One doing two or three persons’ labour, is evidence enough.

These times are no better, they've even proven to be more tough.

There's a new and fancy name to address each job situation

They no longer refer to one as helper, but family assistant.

Work is of the same nature; no changes have ever been made

However, the wages are reclassified to a lower grade.

Now jobs are in big buildings instead of on plantation.

Tilling soils, reaping crops replaced by filing and consultation

Slave masters or Bacra Massa now sir or ma'am.

Same is the treatment to each and every hard-working man.

Time span and downgrading words are often put in play.

Used to get enough work done, on schedule without a delay

You might think it would be better than in times past and gone,

when for workers who were out of line; the mighty whip would be drawn.

Work and workers remain categorized in class of any sector

Skin colour, parental background is still a major factor.

Qualifications sometimes get you nowhere, neither does experience.

Most often getting somewhere depends on looks and preference.

Supplies are often offered in flush to the big ones,

While smalls remain cornered catching drips in saucepans

Wealth increase for the wealthy every day is on the rise,

While the poor get poorer right in front of our eyes.

When talents are realized they start showing ownership.

Soon you're working for the same company on two different shifts.

It seems like you're being auctioned caught between the two,

the highest bidder probably wins, he who will offers more to you.

Meet the Poet!

Tracy Braham is a self-driven classroom teacher, culture coordinator, entrepreneur, and poet. She was born in a small community called Spice Grove and later relocated to the farming community of Burnt Ground, both in the breadbasket parish. She had obtained a diploma in Primary Education from Sam Sharpe Teachers’ College, and a bachelor’s degree in Primary Education (honors) at the International University of the Caribbean (IUC).

Tracy’s love for Creative Art has driven her to turn her thoughts into words through well-written poems. She uses her poems to create vivid pictures stories of life’s past and present experiences for her readers. Tracy believes that nothing is too great to achieve. With this in mind, she is currently working on her poems which will be made available to the wider world in a published copy of her first book of poetry in 2022.

Connect with Tracy here!

If you would like to inform, inspire, and edutain others with your poetry. Please emails us @educationewsja@gmail.com!