The Center for Social Solutions is pleased to announce the launch of our 2022 paper competition focusing on issues within our Slavery and Its Aftermath research initiative. 

Although slavery is largely categorized by era—classical, chattel, and modern—the lasting and pervasive effects are still very much felt; from the systemic oppression within our political and social constructions to the active transport and exploitation of vulnerable human beings around the world, the economic, legal, and social institution of slavery in the American colonies laid the groundwork for many of today’s societal inequities, both in the United States and abroad.

In thinking about this connection between past and present, please respond to one of the following prompts exploring the topics of reparations and modern slavery, respectively.

Papers should be submitted to socialsolutions@umich.edu, subject line: 2022 Paper Competiton Submission

Prompt 1: Frameworks for Reparations

Assess the efficacy of a historical attempt at a reparative justice intervention in one of the following frameworks OR provide a comparative analysis of two interventions.

Since originally proposed in 1783* reparations have been a controversial topic straddling racial and other demographic lines globally. One of the key issues is a lack of clarity and consensus around the term “reparations”. Near synonyms, such as “redress” and “restitution”, have been noted as critical in racial justice efforts, and have contributed to the following non-exhaustive list of frameworks:

  • Efforts undertaken by non-governmental institutions (i.e. businesses, universities, etc.)
  • State or local level interventions
  • Non-direct payments including debt forgiveness, housing down payments, grants, etc.
  • Focusing on specific demographics such as descendants of African slaves, Native Americans, by income level, by educational attainment, etc.

Ongoing projects at the Center for Social Solutions have led us to think critically about the role of reparations and what reparations frameworks may be most effective in furthering racial justice efforts.

Prompt 2: Response to the Third Slavery

Please address how tackling some or all forms of slavery together, rather than separately, might aid in crafting solutions toward their abolition?

Although slavery is officially illegal in all countries around the world, various forms of slavery, forced labor, or involuntary servitude continue to exist: an estimated 27 - 40 million persons endure some form of slavery today. We use the term “Third Slavery” to historicize newer forms and varieties of human slavery, in contrast to the “classical” slavery of pre-15th centuries and the trans-Atlantic and trans-Saharan “chattel” slaveries spanning the 15th to 20th centuries. For more information on The Third Slavery, see CSS’ Third Slavery Infographic.

The Center for Social Solutions seeks innovative responses to this complex challenge facing millions of people worldwide. Contemporary slavery practices include, but are not limited to, the following: forced migration, human trafficking, sex trafficking, forced marriage, indentured servitude, coerced labor, or inhumane labor conditions. The Third Slavery conceptualizes all forms of involuntary servitude as varieties of slavery, not in order to reduce the specificity of each, but rather to question what is to be gained, and in what ways, by thinking and tackling them (or groups of them) together rather than separate.

 

If you would be interested in attending a Q&A session about the paper competition, please indicate your interest here!