Ahmed Naji

I forget how many times I have read Saidiya Hartman’s article  Venus in Two Acts, but just yesterday, I was reading it “close” for a class, and a few little facts in it kicked me in the balls.

First, slaves were given names. These names were written in legal documents.

Second. they consider a human being, and raping or killing them was considered a crime that deserves at least a trial. Two acts/ facts exist in the Heertmen article.

We know that abusing or killing a slave is a crime with consequences; however, now, no one has ever been trailed or sued for killing thousands of immigrants who are being killed every day or drowned in the sea? 

When immigrants die from asphyxiation in the Mediterranean Sea or from dehydration in the American South desert, they die without names; no legal document even gives them exotic neck names like “Venus.” The European coast guards who sank their ships will not be accused of killing or even “Brutality.” It’s the opposite. They will be celebrated, thanked for their service, and honored as national heroes with humanitarian touches because sometimes they rescue immigrant babies and let them “in.” 

Moreover, no one has been held accountable or tried for abusing the rights of immigrants in the open prison camps along the southern US border or in the Mediterranean. On the contrary, those who attempt to assist and save the lives of immigrants are being tried and sentenced to five years in prison. 

 Immigrants and refugees are the Homo Sacer in a state of exception. How is this possible? And why were the bodies and rights of slaves considered part of the legal system in the 19th century, while today’s immigrants are not?

And how do culture products play a role in establishing the image of modern immigrants?

Reading those two texts, we now know that abusing or killing a slave is a crime, with consequences; however, know that no one ever was trailed or sued for killing thousnade of immigrant who is being killed every day or drowned in the sea? 

Moreover, no one has been held accountable or tried for abusing the rights of immigrants in the open prison camps along the southern US border or in the Mediterranean. On the contrary, those who attempt to assist and save the lives of immigrants are being tried and sentenced to five years in prison. Although international law and the US Constitution recognize the legal status of refugees, immigrants and refugees are being treated as Homo Sacer in a state of exception. How is this possible? And why were the bodies and rights of slaves considered part of the legal system in the 19th century, while today’s immigrants are not?

And how do culture products play a role in establishing the image of modern immigrants, image without even their ghost, image in zero act.