Slavery: Alive and Well

Today’s post is not a joyful post. It is not about fitness or cows. There will be no pictures posted nor will I share some pithy saying. Today’s post is serious and I hope you’ll take note of it.

Last night, after watching rock week on American Idol, we ended up at our local Public Broadcasting Station watching Frontline of all things. Usually a nice newsie show such as this will cause Girl to find other things to do. She’s 16 and not terribly interested in news programs of any kind. Thankfully, she stayed for the entire episode, glued, as it were, to the screen.

human trafficking-sex slaves-forced labor-kidnapping-imprisonment-rape-disease-despair-death

Between 600,000 – 800,000 men, women, and children are trafficked internationally each and every year. They end up in far away from home, passports taken, forced to do the unimaginable, in conditions that are not fit for human or beast. The slaves are preyed upon by those who promise work and a better life. Other times slaves are simply kidnapped from their very homes or fields and forced into labor.

And it happens in the good ole’ U S of A. That’s right. Right here in River City. Right in your hometown someone may be held against their will in the slave trade. And you thought slavery had been abolished in America. Think again.

As we watched the program on Frontline I had the passing thought that I should turn the channel because it was so disturbing. When I looked at my daughter, my 16-yar-old daughter, my blonde and very cute daughter, I saw her eyes fixed on the screen. I wondered if she was breathing.

We watched the rest of the program. We watched a man trying to buy his wife back from a pimp. We traveled home with a young woman who had escaped prostitution only to return to it in order to provide for her family. We drank in the despair, the hopelessness, and the darkness of the human soul.

As I watched my little girl, I thought about the things we had taught her. The ways she’s been taught to defend herself.

(always go for the eyes and make as much noise as possible – fight as if you life depends on it because it just may - never go anywhere with strangers – if it sounds to good to be true, it probably is – make eye contact and give the look of "what the hell are you looking at" when needed – never put yourself in a positions that could be dangerous – trust your mama, you daddy, and your brother, everyone else is questionable).

I thought about mothers worldwide whose children have been snatched away from them. I thought about the young women, chosen for their looks, who languish in the human sex trade and I considered the men and women who sold them. (I wonder too, how these people can live with themselves!)

Although every nation on the earth has laws against slavery it continues. Traffickers are often protected by local police. The legal system slaps the hands of the convicted with probation or a handful of years in prison. This should not be.

I would urge you to consider your life. Imagine being forced into the sex trade, beaten, battered, and abused. Imagine if it were your daughter (or son). Go to the frontline website above and watch the program. Visit International Justice Mission and learn more. Pray for those held in slavery. Donate. Do something.

My daughter is a beautiful, fun loving, sweet sixteen. I cannot imagine her as a sex slave. I would be willing to bet most mothers can’t imagine such a thing happening to their child.

But it happens. Every. Day.

DO SOMETHING NOW!

Thoughts After the Election

America has voted. It doesn't matter that many of our fine citizens voted purely on race. Nor does it matter that too many had no idea what the issues were. Neither of these things matters. America voted and we have ushered in a new era in the White House.

I'm proud of you for voting. I hope it stirred your heart, so that when other elections come up you'll take the time to read through the issues and make an informed decision. It's great to be an American, isn't it?

Over 70% of us own homes

We have electricity and water 24/7

Your daughters (and sons) are given an education through the public school system (shoddy though it may be)

Yes, life in America has been grand. Grand I say. And now with our new messiah, oops, I mean President, the years ahead look glorious.

All I can say, and it's my blog so I'll say it, is:

Prove me wrong Mr. Obama

Show me that you are the best man for the job. Show me that you are the one who will turn this country around, although first you'll have to prove to me what's wrong with it. Yes, we've got some economic issues. Yes, we're worried about our retirement, concerned about Iran and Korea, and we're a bit leery of manufactured goods from China.

We want affordable health care, but not like that of Canada and Britain. We want less crime but not more police officers. We'll keep our guns, thank you very much, and the freedom to criticize our Commander and Chief.

I didn't vote for you Mr. Obama and that's okay too. It was a privilege and an honor to vote. And while there may be some who fear how you might guide this great nation, I do not.

You see, I already have a Messiah. He's never let me down and never done me wrong. So, I'll keep my hope pinned to the one who allowed you to be elected. But you should remember, Mr. Obama, you would have NO power if HE hadn't given it to you.

Okay, that was way more political than I like to get. I know I've offended one or two of you, but hey baby, it's my blog and I'll write if I want to. I won't be writing anything else political because I am sick to death of it. Seriously! My friends who voted for Obama are gloating and my friends who didn't are mourning. Come on folks, it's over, let's move on and see what happens from here and just remember, real hope comes from above, not from a man. End of sermon.

The Privilege

Privilege - (priv''l ij) n. a special right, favor, etc. given to some person or group.

I voted. Actually, I voted last week. This is my first election season out among my fellow Americans. Having spent the last 17 years at home, my circle for discussion and debate has been fairly small (read: tame). This year was different and although I noted that most of the folks I work around were careful not to say exactly who they voted for, they assured me they had or would vote.

As one who didn't start voting until about twelve years ago, (yes, I know, shame on me!) I'm so enthralled with not only the act of voting but the very idea; the privilege of voting.

Some do not view voting as such. They see it as a chore. They don't care who wins, "They're all the same." Yet, these same fine folks will gripe and moan when the government does something they don't like. In my book, if they didn't vote, they do not have the right to complain.

John Quincy Adams once said, "Always vote for principle, though you may vote alone, and you may cherish the sweetest reflection that your vote is never lost.”

I hope you've voted today or that you plan to. Voting is part of what makes this country great. It's an honor, a privilege.

Vote!

Benazir Bhutto a Woman of Substance

Benazir was born in Karachi in 1953, attended both Radcliffe and Oxford obtaining degrees in Philosophy, Politics, and Economics. On December 2, 1988 she was sworn in as Prime Minister of Pakistan, becoming the first woman to head the government of an Islamic state. Her goal was to transform Pakistan through health care, social, and education reforms.

During her lifetime she survived numerous assignation attempts and nearly 6 years in prison or detention. Benazir Bhutto wanted to change Islamic society by bringing an end to the divisions within Pakistani society, namely by reducing discrimination between men and women. It was a goal that never came to fruition due to opposition from other parties.

She was a thorn in the side of Muslim extremists and terrorists everywhere.

In 1988, I was 21 years old, newly married and ready to take on the world, or at least keep my job and pay my rent. Benazir Bhutto was one of many women that I admired for having the guts to take on their world and try to change it. In my heart I always wanted to be that type of woman, not that I am. I think I lack their drive, their bravery, their ambition.

Benazir was martyred at 6:16pm Pakistani time. She was 55 years old.