Austin Steward Plaza: A Call to Action Against Modern Slavery
As the City of Rochester recently named a riverside park in downtown after Austin Steward, a prominent figure in the fight for abolition and civil rights, the conversation surrounding historical legacies gained new urgency. The Austin Steward Plaza, formerly known as the Charles Carroll Plaza, was unveiled in a ceremony that highlighted both the park’s recent $12 million upgrades as part of the ROC the Riverway initiative and Steward’s profound impact on the community. Born into slavery, Steward became an abolitionist and the city’s first significant Black business owner, embodying the struggle for freedom and equality.
Rochester Mayor Malik Evans and New York Lieutenant Governor Antonio Delgado attended the ceremony, emphasizing the importance of preserving Rochester's legacy of freedom. "He took the tools and resources he had and invested them back into his community," Delgado remarked. "He taught others, provided opportunities, and inspired so many." This commitment to community empowerment echoes the ongoing struggle against modern-day slavery, a stark reminder that while the conversation about honoring former slave owners has quieted, the issue of human exploitation remains as relevant as ever.
Modern-day slavery persists in various forms, intricately woven into the fabric of the global economy. In Bangladesh, for instance, children as young as 10 toil in garment factories, enduring brutal conditions while earning barely enough to survive. Their plight echoes the suffering of enslaved individuals from centuries past, highlighting the connections between historical exploitation and contemporary forced labor
The fast fashion industry, technology companies, and agriculture are all enmeshed in supply chains that rely on coerced labor, making modern slavery a hidden but persistent aspect of our everyday lives. Major events, such as the Super Bowl, see a surge in human trafficking, exposing the grim realities faced by countless men, women, and children forced into sex work in host cities. This exploitation, often overlooked, serves as a stark reminder that the human cost of our consumption is significant and frequently ignored.
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. famously said, "We must develop and maintain the capacity to forgive." However, true forgiveness requires acknowledgment—not just of historical figures like Steward but also of our complicity in the systems of modern exploitation. While debates about statues continue, we must confront how our everyday choices—whether in purchasing clothes or using technology—support global networks of forced labor.
In the current political landscape, where discussions are dominated by economic policies and global affairs, neither Trump nor Harris has engaged meaningfully with the urgent issue of modern abolitionism. This movement is not a relic of the past; it is a crucial fight for today, as millions remain trapped in cycles of exploitation.
Addressing our nation's history is essential, but it is equally important to recognize that the battle against slavery is ongoing. Just as we hold historical figures accountable for their roles in oppression, we must take responsibility for perpetuating the systems of exploitation that exist today. As King said, "A lie cannot live." We must confront our complicity and act—supporting fair-trade businesses, advocating for stronger labor protections, and amplifying the voices of those affected by modern slavery.
Ultimately, the question is no longer whether we should honor former slave owners; the pressing concern is whether we can confront and dismantle the systems of exploitation that thrive in our world today. By acknowledging our role in perpetuating modern slavery, we can take meaningful steps toward creating a future free from exploitation, guided by the legacy of figures like Austin Steward.
~ George Cassidy Payne is a freelance journalist, social justice advocate, counselor, and Chairman of the Board of Agape Haven of Abundance. He holds degrees from St. John Fisher University, Colgate Rochester Crozer Divinity School, and Emory University. George resides in Irondequoit, NY.
Bibliography
Austin, William. The Life and Writings of Austin Steward: A Narrative of His Life in the First Half of the Nineteenth Century. New York: The American Anti-Slavery Society, 1857.
Bales, Kevin. Disposable People: New Slavery in the Global Economy. University of California Press, 2000.
Bhandari, Ranjita. "The Garment Industry and Child Labor in Bangladesh." Journal of Business Ethics 147.2 (2018): 343-358.
Freeman, Sara. "Modern Slavery: A Comprehensive Guide." International Labor Organization, 2020.
King, Martin Luther Jr. The Essential Martin Luther King Jr.: "I Have a Dream" and Other Great Writings. New York: Newmarket Press, 2008.
Zhang, Shujie. "Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking: A Global Perspective." Human Rights Review 17.1 (2016): 29-52.
U.S. Department of State. Trafficking in Persons Report. Washington, DC: U.S. Government Printing Office, annual reports.
World Bank. "Children in the Labor Force: A Global Perspective." World Development Report 2019: The Changing Nature of Work, World Bank Publications, 2019.
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