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.
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First eight statistics from What Can We Do? by David Livermore and Terry Linhart( Zondervan 2011).