Slave 4 U

[webofevil]

The London Feminist Network is outraged. It has sent out the following email:

We have been extremely concerned to discover that the national charity Kids, whose slogan is ‘Including Everybody’, is planning to hold a Slave Auction at a Halloween fundraising event tonight:

“The event is an exclusive fancy dress party where guests will enjoy an evening of drinking, dancing, and innovative fundraising activities including the Cauldron Lucky Dip, Raffle and Slave Auction.”

That any organisation should consider this an appropriate and acceptable activity at any time is beyond belief, but the fact that this event falls within Black History Month shows even greater insensitivity to the entire issue of slavery and its legacy in this country.

This event seems totally out of step with any ethos of inclusion of any sort. Please take urgent action on this issue.

EDIT: Victory!

Dear Sir or Madam,

I understand that you are planning a "Slave Auction" as part of your event - having only just heard about this I would ask that you reconsider this, in light of the insensitivity it displays to the black community - october is black history month, when the atrocities of slavery are highlighted - I am concerned that making light of slavery, one of the greatest crimes against humanity, sends the wrong message out, and will not encourage engagement from the black communities.

Yours Sincerely,
Denis Fernando
Co-ordinator
National Assembly Against Racism

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Dear Mr Fernando

Thank you for your email. We understand the sensitivity regarding the term ‘Slave Auction’ that you have expressed. As a result an ‘Auction of Promises’ was held at last night's Halloween Party instead whereby individuals volunteered to provide an experience to the highest bidder. The auction also included two watches so moved away from the focus of bidding for individuals.

The information on the website will be removed and we apologies for any offensive caused.

Yours sincerely
Elizabeth Livesey-Haworth
Head of Events
Kids

Comments

[strictlytrue.livejournal.com]

No - I suppose not. Although one of the reasons I used to feel deeply uncomfortable about the slave auctions at my college was the large number of black students present.

[pvcdiva.livejournal.com]

I remember feeling distinctly unease with Slave Auctions at Uni too...but dispite this can agree that the hysterical tone of the LFN doesn't help matters, poking fun so much more effective that shrill condemnation.

Last slave auction at So'ton Uni, a house of girls 'bought' a chap for the weekend and as well as making him do the washing up tied him up and immaced his entire body...poor bastard.

[webofevil.livejournal.com]

> tied him up and immaced his entire body

Nowhere in the small print for charity slave auctions is there anything that denies you your basic rights under the law. However much money was raised for charity, that's still assault.

[strictlytrue.livejournal.com]

I can't help feeling that none of this would have happened if they'd only called it a butler auction instead.

[psychonomy.livejournal.com]

that's still assault

Unless, of course, he really enjoyed having young female students smothering his balls with depilatory cream.

Just a thought.

[pvcdiva.livejournal.com]

As I remember he wasn't best chuffed...and of course were it reversed to be young male students doing same to a girl no doubt the police would have been called.

He got the piss ripped out of him at rugby practice IIRC, so was the humilation by his male peers that added insult to injury.