Twenty First Century Slave

 On Monday March 7, Beatrice Fernando told of her experiences as a slave in Lebanon, to SUNY Rockland students and faculty. The event was presented by a joint effort involving the Women's History Month Committee, Democracy Through the Eyes of Women, and the Anti-Slavery Committee and part of a series to increase visibility on the problem of slavery throughout the world.  

"It's amazing that she can come out and tell people about her experiences because not a lot of people get that opportunity and can make it through that ordeal," said Dena Kopolovich.

Before telling her own story, Beatrice spoke about the nature of slavery today and how it takes many forms in our modern world. She further described the four major categories used by the U.S. in identification of slavery, which are: chattel slavery, debt bondage, sex slavery, and forced labor.

Fernando was a victim of forced labor, tricked by an employment agency that offered to move her to Lebanon for two years to work as a housemaid for a sizable income that she would receive upon her return. Desperate for a better life for her son and her family, she agreed to go despite having little knowledge of the world beyond her town; let alone her country.

"You know how you go to an appliance store to buy a vacuum cleaner or a washer machine, how you decide what you want to buy," Fernando said. "That's how they looked at us."

When arriving to Lebanon, Fernando recalled being forced to give up her passport, which is the first step in making someone a slave in the forced labor systems. Without identification in a foreign country a person is left helpless and at mercy of his or her captors.

During her time as a slave, Beatrice worked for two families. Although the first family was not abusive, she starved and highly isolated, and beaten frequently by the second family.

"It was very moving and inspiring," said student Andrea Saravia. "Her story was mind-boggling but and left me speechless.

Not only is Fernando the author of "In Contempt of Fate," a novel recounting her struggles through enduring slavery, but she is also founded the founded the Nivasa Foundation, an organization created to combat slavery in Sri Lanka and help former victims of slavery. The foundation helps victims by funding the education of their children.

"It was a collaboration between the involved clubs," said Kopolovich.  " It's great that Demoracy Through the Eyes of Women and the Anti-Slavery committee were able to bring this woman and her story to students and faculty on campus," she added.