greetings from the shanty town tin shacks slums of barbados, where open sewers run past my front door.
pick a third world country anywhere in the world.
'The canal and the harbour were built by slaves, which isnt surprising:slaves were how *********** had achieved its magnificencee and power. but it was renowned for its handicrafts, espeacially its weaving. The secrets of the dyes used by its artisans were carefully guarded, its cloth shone like liquid honey, like crushed purple grapes, like a cup of bulll's blood poured out in the sun. Its delicate veils were as light as spiderweb, and its carpets were so soft and fine you would think you were walking on air, an air made to resembel flowers and flowing water. The carpets were woven by slaves who were invariably children, becos only the fingers of children were small enouf for such intricate work. But the incessant close labour demanded of these children caused them to go blind by the age of 8 or 9, and their blindness was the measure by which the carpet sellers valued and extolled their merchandise. This carpet blinded 10 children they would say. The services of children blinded in this way fetched high sums, their touch was so suave and deft, it was said, that under their fingers you could feel the flowers blossoming and the water flowing out of your own skin. If you had to cut throats for a living or starve which would you do.' the blind assassin

they were also skilled at picking locks. Those of them who escaped took up the profession of cutting throats in the dark, and were greatly in demand as hired assassins. Their sense of hearing was acute, they could walk wifout sound and squeeze throu the smallest of openings. They killed as softly as a moth brushing against your neck. They were considered to be without pity. they were much feared. the stories the children whispered to one another-while they could still see-was about a possible future life after the carpet weaving. it was a saying among them that only the blind are free.