National Human Trafficking Awareness Day- 1/11/10

Today is National Human Trafficking Awareness Day. Up until last late last night I hadn't decided whether the timing of this day is unfortunate or a blessing for me. You see, I have been fire and brimstone about the issue of human trafficking for going on a year now. Late summer and fall were a whirlwind. I've attended movie screenings and panel discussions, traveled around the country to talk with leaders in the movement to learn as much as I can and done my small part in efforts to raise funds. At the same time, I've been trying to start a career that will keep me involved in humanitarian causes.

And now I'm pooped. Discouraged. I hit the proverbial runner's wall. I fell short on some goals, was disappointed at a few turns, and lost sight of what should be my next step. For a planner such as myself, it is this last bit that gives me the most worry. I give a lot of lip service to staying open to the adventure that life brings us. I have come to realize that I am all for adventure as long as I have control of the itinerary. I wonder what would happen if I simply let go of the white knuckle grip I have on determining the outcome of my future. Sounds downright un-American, doesn't it? It runs counter to the doctrine of manifest destiny, rugged individualism and Horatio Alger.

Right here is where the pill becomes too bitter to swallow. My very discomfort and angst at this position speaks to the overwhelming privilege I possess. I have the choice to rage against the machine or crawl into this rabbit hole I've existed in the last few days. "Choice" is an unknown concept to many women around the globe. I have been allotted the benefit to sit in my four bedroom home and bemoan that I'm over-educated and under-employed. I use the word "allotted" intentionally. This privilege is a portion assigned or given; it is not an earned freedom on my part. I have no special gift or quality above a woman in India or Yemen or Cambodia. The only difference is the happy chance that I was born in the United States of America.

Because I was born in the United States of America to middle class parents, I could rest assured that I would be educated, fed, clothed and loved. As a child, I would never be ripped from my mother's arms to work in a farm or factory far away. I could be confident that my virginity would not be sold to the elderly man down the street. I would never be forced to carry a machine gun at the age of 10 to fight in a genocidal war. . I would never have to face the torture and mutilation that would occur if I resisted any of these fates.

While I could comfort myself with the blessing of my birthright, I also know that the United States is not protected from the horrors of slavery. Tonight in downtown Denver there is a girl. This girl, like me, was born in the United States. Yet, she missed out on the privilege I enjoy. She is being bought and sold in the backroom of a massage parlor or on a dirty mattress of a run down motel. Perhaps she has forgotten what horrible turn of events forced her on this road. More than likely, she has long since given up believing in a way out.

My point might be difficult to find in the midst of my process, but here's what it comes down to: I know we all have our plates as full as we can handle and many of us feel we are barely getting by. The economy is horrible, relationships are hard and sometimes painful and the kids demand our attention. It is so much easier to go underground and look the other way. Today, however, I'm going to crawl out of my rabbit hole. I'm a bit thin-skinned and unsteady on my feet for the time being, but I'm going to step out today anyway and take action.

Can I ask you to do the same? No life commitment, no money, just one small action. Awareness is noble...action gets the job done. Here are some suggestions:
1) Call your local government officials. Ask them what they know about human trafficking in your area and how your city/ state is equipped to deal with the problem.
2) Choose to buy only fair trade coffee, chocolate or other products. It's not a salary issue...it's a slavery issue.
3) Ask your church, community group, PTA or other organization if they would be willing to host an information night about human trafficking. Many organizations such as Polaris Project and individuals such as myself can help facilitate discussions.

Take 15 minutes and do one thing. A good friend of mine has a saying: "If I can do, you can do it. If you can do it, I can do it."