nonfiction
Dreams Life
To say I am an optimist is an understatement . As an 18 year old , I am a firm believer in my generation . I observe and understand that some find me too optimistic , that I lie on the fine line of reality and an unreachable dream . I-on the other hand-do not let this deter my desire to see my generation bring change to this world . I believe that we can and will bring hope to the generation lost in the ongoing battle we have encountered in human trafficking .
Daily , girls are abused sexually , mentally , and physically for the unjust satisfaction of men . Daily , young children are forced to fight in wars . Daily , young children that should be in school are living in extreme circumstances to get small and unfair pay . These children are not just being forced into an unjust way of life ; they are being robbed of the innocence to reality By Adam Swensen
and beauty of childhood . They are fighting in a fight no one should fight , let alone children .
Daily , humans are being sold like beasts , being treated like beasts , and killed like beasts . Justice must be served to those that hold the innocent captive . We cry out to think of the small child being forced into something no one should ever have to go through , but that is not enough ! Sitting back and crying over what must not be done is not going to free the children and the mothers . How silent and still would we be if they were our own children , our own mothers ? Would we dare sit back and watch in silence the death of our dear family ? I firmly believe we would not .
So where are the people willing to fight for someone else ’ s child , someone else ’ s mother ? Where is the burning cry of the righteous anger I so long to see in the hearts and mouths of the American people ? Twenty-seven million people are enslaved in the world today , and we sit around sipping our $ 5 coffees and dream of a better world . If you want to see change in the world , just as I do , the optimistic view of a world where slavery is no more must be present in your life . I dream of a world where children can be children and are no longer being treated as animals . I dream of a world where justice is our heart beat and freedom is our heart strings . I dream of a world whose people do not wait for someone else to make a difference , but are the difference . I believe that my generation will indeed bring that dream to reality . All it takes is optimism and a whole lot of action . Free the slaves and end injustice .
and this is theReality
• It ’ s estimated that there are approximately 27 million slaves worldwide .
• Most slaves are women and children .
• Human Trafficking has no socioeconomic bias – it happens in the wealthiest neighborhoods in the United States and in the slums of India .
• Slavery is estimated to be a $ 32 billion industry , exceeding the annual profits of Starbucks , Google , and Nike combined .
• There are 1-3 million runaways / throwaway children per year in the U . S .
• 1 out of 3 runaways are approached by a pimp / trafficker within 48 hours of leaving home .
• 50 % of runaways in the U . S . are considered throwaway kids , because their parents either told them to leave home or didn ’ t care if they left .
• The ratio of male versus female runaways in the U . S . is 50 / 50 .
• In 2010 , the following number of runaways were reported in these Michigan cities : 813 in Grand Rapids , 148 in Wyoming , and 65 in Kentwood ( from Kent County Juvenile Justice System ).
• 80 % of young women in the sex trade , report having experienced sexual abuse at home .
5
First eight statistics from What Can We Do ? by David Livermore and Terry Linhart ( Zondervan 2011 ).