The more I learn about people forced into slavery, the more outraged I become and the more I want to share what I know and tell people everything about this problem. The thing is - not everyone is ready to hear about it.
photo by Nutdanai Apikhomboonwaroot
I made an informal commitment to myself at the beginning of this journey to learn about every aspect of slavery and to hear every person's story. Some of the statistics and some of the stories have made me physically ill, some have made me sob hysterically, some have made me feel hopeless and depressed. All of them have made me cry out to God for justice. As hard as they are to hear, I recognize that I'm only hearing them; I'm not living them. Knowing this much information is my personal choice. I feel called to stand in the gap in this way - to hear their stories - to cry for them - to pray for them - to demand justice - to grieve for their loss - to some day be part of their healing process. This is part of my story as an abolitionist.
Not everyone will be called to hear the same stories at the same time. Other abolitionists will have very different roles. Some will fund organizations that exist to prevent, rescue and restore victims. Some will donate sheets and socks to healing homes for survivors. Some will casually bring it up with friends and co-workers, lighting a fire of awareness. Some will host events to raise awareness. Some will train first responders. Some will buy jewelry made by survivors. Some will minister love to the victims. Some will minister healing to the people that purchase other's lives. Some will minister truth to the people that sell and destroy other's lives. Truly.
We have to be able to share the truth in a way that people can hear. We must find ways to educate America without overwhelming them. This is an overwhelming issue. It's hard and it's scary and it's not easily fixable. If we aren't intentionally sensitive in sharing information, people will become paralyzed and shut down. They won't be able to donate socks if they can't bear to think about the problem anymore.
My wonderful, supportive husband was straight-up with his limits: "Do not tell me anything about trafficking. Period. Please." We have two teenage girls and it was more than difficult for him to even hear minor details. It also hurt him that it hurt me so much; my sorrow made him feel helpless to do anything. He would say this just wasn't his thing and I completely respected that. I have to add that he never tried to stop me from learning, volunteering, or donating money. He just didn't want to talk about it.
He needed to learn about trafficking in a way that was meaningful and empowering for him.
I was intrigued when I found out about a 30 minute film created by Whitestone Motion Pictures in partnership with Street GRACE; called "Candy Shop - A Fairytale about the Sexual Exploitation of Children." I watched the trailer....
My husband was standing nearby and asked what I was watching (I'm convinced he thought I was on one of those video sites where people fall off their skateboards and everyone laughs). After I played the trailer again for him, we decided to watch the full 30 minute film. He learned more about trafficking and society's part in it by watching this movie then he ever would have or could have from hearing me speak for hours. We actually had a conversation about trafficking and points made in the movie. It gave us a common ground and a common language to discuss the problem and our place in it - it was especially awesome for me because he made a lot of really smart observations that I hadn't considered. This opened a small door of awareness that allows him to discuss trafficking and slavery more than he did before, and with more than just me. Talking about it is the first step to stopping it.
This movie handles a tough subject in a thought-provoking way. It's an analogy, so you can get away from the hard-to-hear details and just see the truth. There are still difficult parts, but they tell the story very well. The full version is below for you to watch and to share. If you want to learn more about the movement behind the movie, please visit www.stopthecandyshop.com.
This movie handles a tough subject in a thought-provoking way. It's an analogy, so you can get away from the hard-to-hear details and just see the truth. There are still difficult parts, but they tell the story very well. The full version is below for you to watch and to share. If you want to learn more about the movement behind the movie, please visit www.stopthecandyshop.com.
I'd love to hear how you share the truth with others and what your experience has been. Thanks!
Day Seven: Reporting Trafficking
Already typed this once - lets try again!
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you addressed this. Not everyone can handle the harsh reality of trafficking. Honestly, I get the blank stare/look in another direction/change the subject/polite smile but silence thing more than I get an actual response from people - unfortunately, especially in the church. I know we can't all be passionate about the same things - but it is that reaction that pushes me forward to continue to talk, to continue to bring awareness and to make sure people realize this is not another countries problem - it is ours as well.
I keep meaning to send you a list of books on trafficking I've read but I haven't done it yet! I'll try to remember to get to it soon!
Keep up the good work and no matter what the reaction of people - keep talking and shedding light!