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What role did industries and activities of
“vice” play in the colonization and exploitation
of
Africans? Again, we must consider the balance of
forces between the economic and corporate
fields.
While gambling, prostitution and consumption of
spirits have been officially prohibited
throughout much
of South African history, Van Onselen (1982)
argues that the actual prevalence of such
activities and their
associated institutions have reflected the
interests of capitalist elites. So while
officially ille gal in early
twentieth century Johannesburg gambling dens,
“whorehouses” and taverns were found throughout
the
city, surreptitiously supported by various
representatives of the mining industries. For
insofar as workers
spent their weekly earnings on booze , betting
and brothels rather than savings, these
industries
perpetuated African poverty and thus Africans as
a dependent labor force as well. In sum, the
history of
vice in South Africa reflected the dominance of
economic capital over the state, and served to
control
Africans as workers.There are an estimated
400,000 compulsive gamblers in New Jersey alone
Their disease affects over 350,000 spouses and
almost 700,000 children, as well as other family
members, friends, co-workers and employers
In 1997, more than 23,000 people called the
1-800-GAMBLER© Helpline for help. Most of the
calls were from the gambler. Thirty percent of
the calls were from family, friends, or
employers. In the desperation phase, many
gamblers borrow from co-workers or steal from
their employers to get money for gambling.
Employees with a family history of alcohol,
drug, or gambling problems are at greatest risk.
An employee who is in recovery from another
addiction is especially vulnerable.
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