Mind map and story idea

After my discussion with Brian earlier in the week I decided to make a mind map of the various issues or topics that may be explored through my project. This is slightly different to the jellyfish method described earlier in my blog. The jellyfish involved more questions and possible questions that could lead from these. The mind map has put my project at the centre, which I realise could not have been done at the time of the jellyfish as I had no idea what my project was about at that point in time. However since then I have developed an idea to create a picture book which is based upon an old Scottish tale/myth. I classify it as both tale and myth as there are still ongoing arguments between historians around the actual facts of the matter.
The story is based around the Scots involved in the battle of Dunbar in 1650 who were taken as prisoners, then were eventually sent to Barbados to work in the sugar cane fields. Whether they worked a servitude of several years or were classed as slaves is up for debate. However to me in both cases and from their perspective they were working as forced labour which is slavery. I do not plan to tell this tale in a historical context or for it to be educational, I wish to use this story as my main thread or tool that allows me to bring up the issue of modern slavery.
The trail of thought that has lead to the choice of this story most likely begun when I was thinking about the whole issue of Empire. I realised that almost all Empires were built upon the back of Slavery, Egyptian, Roman or our own British Empire relied on such inhumanities as a contributor to their success. Thoughts about the refugees that are fleeing to Europe right now had also been playing on my mind. I thought not only about what these people must be running from but also about what might happen to them. I hope for many that the path may become brighter however I also fear that many will succumb to the slave trade. This may not be a choice but more of a necessity in the need to survive. Food and aid will not always be given or received, jobs most likely will not be available to everyone. The sharks will see easy prey who can be enticed with a few promises or lies, they will then be pulled into the world of slavery without even knowing.
This is why I feel a book that brings up the issue of modern slavery is important. It is not only relevant to the refugees I have discussed but to the millions of people worldwide who are already consumed by such a trade. The reason this particular story is to be used as a thread or tool to bring up the issue of modern slavery is that it gives me a way into such a topic. It is something I only found out about recently but it is also more relatable to me. Dunbar is not far from where I was brought up so it makes it easier for me to use than a story based on Africans stolen from a land I don't know. This only gives me an inroad, the issues of race, who were slaves, who done servitude of several years are not the important factors for me. I cannot change history but I can influence the future with my own little contribution. There are people today, right now at this point in time having to work as slaves. They are all over the world, they may have to work in the sex trade, they may have made the clothes you and I are wearing, they may be out begging on your street. The slave trade does not discriminate against race, colour, gender, age or sexuality. This book should should also be the same, my aim is to highlight the plight of many who suffer oppression around the world and bring into question who are the slaves. Within a historical context todays society keeps the slave trade comparatively hidden but it still remains, is this something that will always be? The aim of the book is to open up discussion, hopefully if done as I imagine it to be then each person may have their own interpretation or be able project their own memories or stories onto my book.
The mind map process has shown me that there are four main areas of consideration for my project. The slave trade itself, the picture book format, how it might be interpreted and my own arts practise are the four main branches of this map. Each of these may require there own maps once I begin to delve deeper into the topics. However for now this has helped me define in my own mind where my project currently sits and the topics that might be researched as part of this project. I can see a new plan of attack which will involve plunging into a topic once a problem has arose with my work on the book, retrieving the information I require and getting back to work on the book. This process will continue as each problem arises, some solutions may not be found in the exact order I wish but that is just part of the research process as a whole. The mind map is shown below which will hopefully lead to my vision statement or overall question I am trying to answer.