Friday Ethics Class #3, 8-10am

[brambless.livejournal.com]

Two boxes sit on Tara's desk. One is filled with homemade cookies, with a small placard labelled 'To all those who attempted the assignment - help yourselves!'. The other is a bin to return the Master/slave badges at the end of the class.

Tara smiles as the students settle down.

"I told you last week that part of the point of this assignment was to separate out the issues of slavery and abuse. There are many, many issues with slavery, even without abusive elements attached, and I want to tell you how proud I am of all of you for attempting the assignment - especially those of you who were uncomfortable with it. I have a lot I want to say, but I'm going to bite my tongue and let you all speak, first. Tell me about your experiences with the assignment - what was challenging for you? What was easier than you thought it would be? Do you have any insights you would like to share?"

[ooc: If you would provide linkage to any RPed assignment bits and pieces, I would be forever grateful when it comes time for grading. Also, those of you who made icons? I adore you, and worship your icon-fu.]


Before class lets out, Tara makes a short announcement.

"I would not ask anything of you that I am unwilling to do myself - including act as a slave. Anyone who completed the assignment is eligible to 'win' me as a slave, under the same terms of the assignment as you performed. I realise many of you are probably glad that this is over, but if you are interested, or want revenge, please put your name down on the sheet provided. I will post this as a voting list, and the involved parties will decide as a class who is to Master me, and what is to be done with me."

[ooc: Off to bed. Play nicely, see you all in the morning. Um, my morning. *as usual, kicks stupid timezones*]

Comments

Re: First Hour

[valentine-tart.livejournal.com]

Beka cleared her throat before speaking. She carefully didn't look at Angelus or at Buffy. "This assignment pushed a lot of my buttons. Because of stuff back home. I agreed to do it because Prof asked me to. She felt it'd be good for me, Buffy, and the class.

"Being a Master is far easier and far harder than I imagined. Easier because having seen the other side, I know exactly what it takes to make it not only palatable but downright sweet to be a slave. Harder for exactly the same reason. I don't like what it says about me that I know that and that I enjoyed it.

"I've heard people talk about this like it was a cutesy bondage game. It's more than that. Being a Master, truly, is more than ordering a slave around, tormenting them sexually, being serviced. It's being completely responsible for someone else's welfare. I protect people all the time. But this was different. It meant I couldn't choose when and where to protect her, and I couldn't choose who to protect her against. Even if the person was my...friend...I still had to choose Buffy over that person because she was mine.

"When you take abuse out of the equation - which you usually can't in the real world - slavery feels a lot more like hierarchy and loyalty by mutual agreement than anything else."

She shook her head. "I hope that's all right Prof. I'll answer your questions, or any one's I guess. But I don't know what else to say."

Re: First Hour

[brambless.livejournal.com]

Tara nods as Beka speaks. "Thank you, Beka. That's very well said. What if it's not by mutual agreement? If the slave has no choice, but is still well treated and well protected?"

Re: First Hour

[valentine-tart.livejournal.com]

Beka's stomach twisted. "Personally, I'd have a problem with that. If one person was taken slave by force. But there are situations when the agreement is diluted. Like debt slavery. Where the slavery isn't agreed to, but the debt was and so... Well, I guess that I'd say there's always some level of agreement. Even where there's force. Because the slave can choose to rebel, though that might mean dying.

"There might still develop loyalty and affection. And the slave may still exercise choice and free will and stay. The Master might still choose to release the slave.

"I still believe that slavery is wrong. But I understand that sometimes it might be a better alternative than a freedom not worth having."

Re: First Hour

[brambless.livejournal.com]

"Just because a slave isn't taken by force doesn't mean they have a choice. Many slaves are born into their role. But yes, you're right - the slave can always rebel. The choice is whether they want to risk the consequences, both for rebelling (if they fail), and for freeing themselves, if they succeed."