Buying slaves' freedom counterproductive
In the April 9 edition of the Sentinel was an article about Metuchen High School students raising money to free slaves in Ghana. Although I understand the sentiment behind this effort, and my heart goes out to slaves everywhere, I believe this effort may be counterproductive; in fact, it may even encourage further enslavement of children.

Put yourself in the position of the slaver. If he enslaves children and is one day offered $13,000 to free three of them, what do you think he will do? Enslave more children, of course! And why not? This is good business.

I believe it would make much more sense to launch a letter-writing campaign asking the government in Ghana to enforce their laws against slavery. Cracking down on these heartless thugs is the way to go. Allowing them to profit from their criminal behavior is, in itself, criminal.
Lester Gesteland
Metuchen