images from the trip

A glimpse from out the window of a sweat shop we toured after hours--big thank you to Ruben Nuno.

 Dinner in little Tokyo our last night

 A picture of the founder of Downtown Women's Center with the center's inspiration, Rosa

 We found the two coolest stores in Echo Park; on the left is satellite project of Dave Eggers' non-profit that provides after-school tutoring and writing classes for youth in the area

Lots to say about language

On Tuesday night, we ate at Cole’s (originator of the French dip)-with a friend-contact who does communications for an anti child trafficking organization. Among other interesting points of conversation, he shared with us his insights into how non-profits operate and what their role might be in social movements accomplishing change. in our conversation about the nature of non-profits versus the nature of social change, we reflected on the ways some non-profits seem to be operating on old world models and lack the innovation and momentum that is part and parcel of any social movement. Referring to evolving human problems and human solutions, he described how an issue develops faster than does language; and that for an issue to be adequately addressed, it has to wait for language to catch up to it. He said that, in a way, this also diagnoses the illness of some of today’s non-profits: they’re using old-fashioned processes and termninology, and so cannot upgrade their work to the level of social change.

We agreed that this is also a symptom of the nuances of tackling the issue of human trafficking. It is pivotal to discuss what human trafficking is, but sometimes it is impossible to broach the subject without offending someone. The language that we use in discussing this issue is fraught with misconceptions, designations and tags that threaten to give way to stereotype, and generalizations that misrepresent. Some have argued the importance of calling human trafficking what it is: modern day slavery, insisting that the term is more equipped to demand the attention the issue deserves, and that to do less denies the severity of the individual’s condition. But a significant portion have questioned what happens when we term someone a “slave”—or a former slave, or a victim. Terms and names like “slave” and “victim” attach a host of signifiers to individuals (without their choosing) that they may prefer not to drag behind them. Moreover, they bisect humans into stark categories. The categories and qualities surrounding trafficking situations are rarely black and white but multifarious; understanding human trafficking requires understanding a spectrum of issues. Can we put all these individuals who have been oppressed under the power of another in the same category? Isn’t blanket terming a hallmark of mischievous rhetoric?

As the team discussed in the van today, it is easy to be suspicious of the emotional response slavery language inevitably solicits. In the same way that “sex sells”, and sex trafficking receives an inordinate amount of attention than does labor trafficking*, using slave terminology can seem more like powerful branding than tactful respect.

I think the one term that affords the most to the conversation about human trafficking is exploitation. For all the talk of humans deprived of their basic rights and their oppressive condition, we haven’t heard the term <<exploitation>> near as much as others. The crux of the issue seems to me to be that individuals are exploited on a massive level we do not fully realize. Our goal on this trip is to understand what this means, and also to understand how we can curb our consumption behavior to prevent exploitation instead of perpetuating it.

*USC researchers shared with us that for every one person sex trafficked, nine people are labor trafficked.

Reflections on the LA trip thus far

What can I do? After hearing of so many terrible things happening in the world, I easily feel overwhelmed and ask myself, what can I do? This has been the most challenging aspect of the trip and the issue for me. Clearly, I have been influenced by what I have learned, but what does this changed attitude really accomplish? Does fighting peoples` attitudes and mindsets lead to actual change in the lives of those who are affected? This disconnect is something we all encounter as we learn about tough issues. Many people say that as more and more people become “enlightened”, gradual shifts in the world will happen. Are we, right now, the product of previous peoples` enlightenments? If so, can enlightenment ever be truly complete? Will we not continue to produce various problems as long as we continue? If this is the case, what is the point of enlightenment?

The biggest problem with things like sex and labor trafficking is that most people do not have to see it, and can go on with their lives mostly unaffected and unaware. What reason do we have to care? What does it mean to actually care for people being exploited? Is it really as simple as buying fair-trade and being philosophically opposed to the purchase of human beings? I`m not so sure. Are we truly able to care for someone without meeting and interacting with them? If we must know someone to care for them, what is the best course of action? We can`t all be social workers or doctors or police officers…how are we to know someone until we step out of our comfort zone and somehow search for the stuff of this world that is often less than pleasant? And then, how can we do this without coming off as condescending or naïve? Is it condescending and naïve to reach out to others who are different than us, with the hopes of helping them have a ‘better life’? It all comes down to the value we place on each individual`s right to define what life should be like. So often I just want to try to fix things and make it all, you know, nice. But these situations are usually complex, and people are certainly not to be sorted and set aside like laundry. This truly makes me examine my motives for wanting to help someone, or to work for a certain mission/cause. Am I in it to make myself feel better for what I perceive as the fault of my privileged life? Am I here for the purpose of fulfilling some role I think I am supposed to fit into, like model citizen or caring student? Or, am I more interested in the person?

It is really hard for me to generate energy for taking action or supporting something without knowing or hearing about the actual people involved, and I think this is probably true of most people. It all comes down to stepping outside of our own little bubbles, and relating to someone who is different than us. It means discarding our assumptions and the baggage of our upbringing—certainly not an easy task. I don`t think people are bad or don`t care. I think they are busy and tired, and don`t really know or have the motive to find out. I think it is counter-productive to place blame on anyone for these problems. So, what is productive?

I think it is important to realize that each of us is important. Every life is a life, and there is no single life that is worth more than another. As soon as we all start to see everyone, every single person alive today, as a child of God and as equal to us—that`s the kind of enlightenment that can change the world. I think it is the heart of Jesus to embrace people, regardless of their background, their social status, and any other part of their so-called identity. All of this stuff that we say we are: female, male, black, white, Christian, Muslim, vegetarian, American, gay, straight…none of it is who we truly are. Our true identity is a beloved child of God, made in his image and made to bring God praise. Until we can see beyond the labels this world gives us, we will never be able to see the Kingdom of Heaven. That`s just a part of the challenge that Jesus offers, but it`s certainly one worth walking forward in. So, yea—Reach out, reach up, reach inward, but most of all, reach for the one who gives you breathe. Without that, all of the other reaching will end empty-handed. -Hanna

THE JOURNEY BEGINS

Sunday May 15, 2011

We are currently at an airport in Denver, CO. Our flight was canceled from Dallas, and we got on a new one at 4:50. So, we spent some time in some comfy chairs, and are about to board the plane to LA. We each have a copy of Half the Sky by Nicholas Kristof, and I read it on the plane. (Not all of it, yet). It is very challenging to read about the many horrors occurring on a daily basis, but it is also inspiring to see the triumph that is possible when we join together for a worthy cause. The thing that has stuck with me the most from the book so far is a Hawaiian parable by Naka Nathaniel:

A man goes out on the beach and see that it is covered with starfish that have washed up in the tide. A little boy is walking along, picking them up and throwing them back into the water. “What are you doing, son?” the man asks. “You see how many starfish there are? You`ll never make a difference.” The boy paused thoughtfully, and picked up another starfish and threw it into the ocean. “It sure made a difference to that one,” he said.

All that to say, even though we may not be able to completely eliminate or solve the entire issue, what we are able to do still matters and is worth working for. Rather than be discouraged or give up because we feel like the issue is too big to take on, we must instead look towards what we can do to make a difference, even if that is only in one person`s life. I think faithfulness in the small things is the only way we will ever get to be a part of the big things, and I am learning to be grateful for each step along the way. Until next time, Hanna.