As an artist, I know that in times of despair, self-expression can be one of the only outlets that makes life feel better. And that's exactly what these courageous young women -- each of whom are sex trafficking survivors from Girls Educational and Mentoring Services (GEMS) -- did with their thought-provoking poetry.
I was awestruck by the words of these strong and beautiful young women who shed light on the issue of human trafficking, despite the dark depths of suffering they've experienced by being forced to sell their bodies. These young women rise above to evoke compassion, hope and inspiration. The sad truth is, while what they've experienced is so humanly unimaginable to many of us, they are speaking to a very real problem in our country right now. Modern-day slavery is real. Whether it's sex trafficking or labor trafficking, in which people are being made to work brutally long hours with no pay, it's happening right in our backyards and it's heartbreaking. In the past two years, incidences of human trafficking have been reported in all 50 states.
I was honored to get together with P!nk, Jada Pinkett Smith and the mtvU Against Our Will Campaign to narrate several poems from the GEMS girls. I only hope that we were able to give their work the proper justice it deserves. These young women were coerced into a life that no one should live, and you can hear the strife they've faced in their words. But, you can also hear bold declarations of confidence and self-worth; the determination to make a better life.
Get More: www.mtvu.com
I truly hope that we're about to turn a corner on this issue. President Obama recently made his first public statement on human trafficking in the U.S., and it's encouraging to know that world leaders are working to put an end to modern-day slavery. These young women make me believe that we can make a difference, and are a reminder for all of us that we have to continue the fight against trafficking.
Get More: www.mtvu.com
We hope you'll join us in the mission to end modern-day slavery by taking a moment to listen to the words of these survivors, and helping to elevate their voices. And ask yourself, "What if that was me or anyone I knew?"
When poverty strike its hard to overcome, hungry sets in and every door is wide open some better than others as it is written in the Bible (Money is the root of all evil) and everyone must have a share of that evil, could you imagine living on Earth without needing money.
Visit us today at http://TheSeedsofAbraham.host56.com
If you are forced against your will into an activity or behavior, there is something wrong.
Don't judge all men on the weakness of a few. There are those of us that know of the important role that women play in our lives. Also feel that women could have a more positive impact on the world if the male ego could be controlled.
This attitude is totally wrong, not supported by any research, and making prostitution legal has increased trafficking everywhere it has happened because those areas become hubs where it is easy to hide among the "legal" crowd.
But no, we're going to go through this discussion anyway, because some men are prostitution apologists--they like buying women, or at least they like the idea that they could, and they simply refuse to admit that it could be just wrong or that it is always bad for women, period.
They pretend to be liberals or progressives, but they are not.
When children are parents (and I am not saying this specifically about age) the very mandate of creating a safe place to grow is mostly ignored and the offspring are often "sentenced" to a life that is ugly and hopeless...trafficking being like living in a dungeon.
Sylvia Lafair author "GUTSY: How Women Leaders Make Change"
In fact modern day slavery is just an extension of older slavery practices, the only main difference is the exposure these actions have in todays society; which makes it appear less severe than in the past but it isn't.
Much love and many thanks to Dan and so many people who are helping to end these practices.
Europe and the US are great customers of sex.
It's an attitude; somehow it remains acceptable to buy a human, or rent it from another, and no-where is it the norm to actually think about the human being bought.
The sex-customers, who think they're blame free, even though they pay a handler for the use of a clearly foreign woman.
Unless we remove the market (the opportunity to make money that way), we will never rid the world of human trafficking.
And why do you assume that most prostitutes are doing it against their will? How many prostitutes have you actually talked to?
rukminifoundation.org
This is totally different from what we as 'slaves of the corporate and government rulers" suffer.