Resist, Change

I'm sure that you would agree that global slavery needs to come to an end very soon. The problem with trying to end it is how complex of an issues it is and how many people need to cooperate to ensure that it would be a lasting effect. There are already laws passed that prohibit slavery and yet it still occurs in every continent.

There are many groups that are trying to end slavery with one case at a time. Many of these groups were cited in the resource section. In order to make sure that once a person is freed there needs to be systems in place to help them recover them as well educate these people. If there were more opportunities for people all over the world, slavery would not be what it is today. Along with having a support system for the victims, the perpetrators need to be captured and sent to prison. Once more perpetrators get caught, hopefully more will realize that they too can get caught and sent to prison. In many countries the police force present is part of the slavery system thus enforcing the slavery system more. There needs to be more investigations of these police forces to ensure that there are not police officers helping slavery continue as well as being punished for their actions.

If there are more stable police forces and governments that actively are against slavery, this will help to not only end the problem of slavery that is present in their region, but prevent future accounts of slavery from developing. Along with developing these systems, there needs to be more awareness raised here in the US. There are slaves transported and even living in towns next to every American and we don't even know it. If more politicians were willingly to discuss slavery and even admit that it happens on our own front door, i feel more people will become enraged and willingly to help fight against slavery. A problem many Americans are blessed to have is that they do not have to see slavery in their everyday lives. In this scenario we are able to distance ourselves from the problem and attribute it to other "bad" governments in countries far away.

There are many programs trying to fight against slavery but they all need support and help in order to reach a lasting effect as well as reach every country. With more support and education systems in place, as well as governments who actively are against slavery then we can start to finally put an end to slavery. As stated before in America we have the gift of feeling away from the problem even though we most certainly aren't, raising awareness among family and friends, writing your local politician and here on campus are just some things we can do to help educate more people on slavery.

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Sources

http://www.ijm.org/

This program tries to recover and save people trapped in slavery. A few weeks ago on campus they gave a presentation in the CUB. This source clearly ties in with my topic because they try to create awareness about global slavery by visiting campuses and writing to local politicians; while at the same time rescuing slaves all over the world.

http://www.freetheslaves.net/Page.aspx?pid=183

This program a lot like IJM creates awareness about global slavery, but puts most of the focus on doing research and saving people. They recognize that ending slavery isn't a quick fix but a process that has to involve dismantling the systems that perpetuate slavery.

http://www1.american.edu/ted/chocolate-slave.htm

This site explores the Ivory coast and how chocolate is a main commodity used in slavery. It also explains that the majority of child slaves there are from Mali, one of the poorest countries. Many people travel to the coast in order to find jobs and get sucked into slavery. This site explains another form of slavery, and connects it to a product that so many of us encounter in our daily lives.

http://gvnet.com/humantrafficking/

This site has done a lot of research all over the world and shows how slavery touches every continent and country. It also goes further to explain structural problems that the countries have that have helped lead to slavery. This site helps to show that as Americans we can not keep trying to distance ourselves from slavery due to the simple fact that it happens right next door.

http://www.notforsalecampaign.org/

The Not for sale campaign is a lot like the IJM and free the slaves site except that they have an online store for products that haven't been affected by slavery. They really suggest getting people to help them by either donating or being involved. The take action section divides up if you are a person of faith, student, artist, athlete, teacher and so forth.

http://www.soroptimist.org/trafficking/FAQ.html

This site is for a club of career women all over the world that are at the top of their fields. Being a part of this group helps bring awareness to other while also funding international efforts in saving women and girls. This is the first group that shows women trying to take care of other women across the world.

http://www.caritas.org.au/AM/Template.cfm?Section=Caritas_at_a_glance&Template=/CM/HTMLDisplay.cfm&ContentID=5736

CARITA'S focuses on case studies of rescued child soldiers. Their main focuses are creating awareness, and trying to create self reliance through development programs. CARITA'S also has a disaster relief section. This program highlights the need for structural change and self reliance.

http://matadorchange.com/10-shocking-facts-about-global-slavery-in-2008/

Even though these facts are from 2008, you can find almost the exact same statistics today. This site would be a good source to educate people who are unaware of slavery today, or for those who do no understand its magnitude. It provides concrete facts about slavery today, and has a part on how to get involved.

http://www.newworldencyclopedia.org/entry/Slavery#History_of_Slavery

This site goes more into detail about the history of slavery in the world and its affects on a global economy. It also brings up past abolitionist movements and "apologies." In this article they site the Bales book and how slavery still exists even after all the abolition movements.

http://www.iabolish.org/slavery_today/usa/index.html

This site will really hit home, it shows how slavery affects many different states in the US including Washington. This site does little to speak of the history of slavery but focuses on reporting cases that are occurring now.

http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/27098993/

Even though the today show does not go into global slavery, and focuses on the sex industry in America. I was surprised to see an article from MSN that discusses slavery. This website gives an account from a girl in Florida who was sold to a man in Texas. Her family now is trying to create more awareness on the sex industry in America.

http://www.abolishslavery.org/slavery-today

Abolish slavery provides more information and true stories of young children and adults that have been in slavery. It also provides links to other international organizations such as Save Darfur. Abolish slavery is a non-profit organization designed to help rehabilitate people who have been in slavery and are dedicated to combating human trafficking.

http://www.infoplease.com/spot/slavery1.html

This site provides more factual information and statistics for the readers. It highlights the main countries that poverty occurs and thus the different types of slavery that is the most common. This site does little to speak about this history of slavery and how its laid the foundation for slavery today.

http://www.freedomcenter.org/slavery-today/

This is another program that speaks of the underground railroad program of slaves. It stresses gaining knowledge about global slavery today, and provides a lot of information about slavery in the 21st century. This is another program that highlights that slavery does exist today and in the US.

http://www.liu.edu/cwis/CWP/library/aaslavry.htm

This site goes in depth about the history of slavery specifically in Africa. It goes into detail about particular politicians who have an impact on slavery as well as "abolition" movements in the past. Does little to speak of slavery today.

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Today vs. Past Slavery

Many people alive today do not realize how many people are involved in slavery and human trafficking. Slavery touches every country and even hits closer to home than you may think. One vast difference seen in slavery today as compared to "traditional" or past types of slavery is that nowadays the slaves are cheap. One could buy a slave for under one hundred dollars and usually the slaves find themselves in continual debt bondage to the owner. In the past the slave owners had to invest more into their slaves and their lives and were physically more expensive.

One might wonder how is it possible that the price of a slave has decreased while national capital and economic wealth in many countries has significantly increased. Another aspect many people do not focus on and realize that in order to truly work on ending slavery, there needs to be systems in place for people who have recently "gained freedom." Without any focus on what happens to the newly freed slaves, a lot of times they end up returning to the slave system out of necessity for food, shelter and hopes of money. There also needs to be a focus on the police systems and judicial systems to ensure that they are not also involved in the problem; as well as enforcing the laws that every country claims to have against slavery. Without support systems in place and cooperation with the local police force, slavery could never truly end.

After learning more about slavery and seeing documentaries on how brutal the lives are of people in forced labor one may wonder how they can possibly help to end it. Right now I feel the best way to help would be through raising awareness of slavery with family and friends and even at WSU. As stated before many people are completely clueless that it still exists, and slaves are even living in Seattle and transported through the Spokane airport. If we can raise awareness and show people that it does affect people who could live down the street from you and not some far away country; then we can evoke real change.

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