Hope For Justice, an organization which provides “Hope for Justice identifies and rescues victims, advocates on their behalf, provides restorative care which rebuilds lives and trains frontline professionals to tackle slavery.” So, you see, what was once an admiration for Natalie Grant because of her talent changed to an example of how to make a difference, which encourages me to leave a legacy that matters.
Christian music artist, Natalie Grant, has always been a role model to me. I looked up to her as a singer and often performed her songs in youth group. Now, there is another reason I admire her even more and that is for her ambition and determination to see lives set free from the bondage of sex slavery. Natalie Grant was informed of the problem and did something about it. She is the co-founder of
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“Oh, but she chose that lifestyle”, “She is putting herself in these situations.” These are common misconceptions held by the passersby of sex trafficking victims. Polaris explains: “The widespread lack of awareness and understanding of trafficking leads to low levels of victim identification by the people who most often encounter them. For example, women and girls in sex trafficking situations, especially U.S. citizens, are often misidentified as "willing" participants in the sex trade who make a free choice each day to be there.” Sadly, these very misconceptions could be preventing the rescue of these victims. Thus, drawing quick conclusions enables continued enslavement.
Sometimes it is just easier to make assumptions and to cast judgment on individuals we have never even spoken with. Just think about it, we do it every day and most of the time we are not even aware of it. The truth is, the victims of sex trafficking do not make this lifestyle choice. So many individuals fall victim because they need a job, or are looking to improve their life. Sex trafficking does not even have to do with the economic state of the individual. In fact victims who come from well-to-do families are still enslaved. They have not chosen this lifestyle, it was a choice they never made. The victims are simply doing what we all strive to do, they are trying to have a better life. Polaris shares a key truth to be remembered: “It is essential to remember that vulnerability to human trafficking is far-reaching, spanning multiple different areas such as age, socio-economic status, nationality, education-level, or gender.” I urge you, do not be so quick to judge. Help give them freedom, a choice they never got to make. National Human Trafficking Resource Center About two weeks ago 19 year old John Luke Robertson from the much loved television series, Duck Dynasty came to visit my school. Actually, John Luke will be attending Liberty University in the Fall, but he is already up to big things. While he was visiting our chancellor invited John Luke to share what he has been up to the past couple of weeks at our convocation (a campus wide gathering where we hear from a variety of acclaimed speakers). John Luke opened by sharing a statement from best-selling author and speaker, Bob Goff. “If you want more faith, do more stuff.” He explained that he had been thinking a lot about that phrase and how he could apply it to his life. Meanwhile, he recalled hearing about an old building near him that was being given away for free. You are probably thinking, “For free? There must be a catch.” The catch, which John Luke found out after signing the papers, was that the building is under construction. The construction costs are going to be an estimated 1.5 million dollars! The building 22 thousand square feet, and four stories high, to which John Luke thinks: “That’s pretty big, but my God is pretty big too.” This all happened on a Friday morning, and on Friday night John Luke asked his pastor what he would do with a big building. His pastor informed him how great of an issue human trafficking is in their area of Monroe, Louisiana. An 18 wheeler truck was recently found in their region filled with woman being trafficked. A few days later, while John Luke was at youth group he was able to talk to a young woman who is involved with helping the victims of human trafficking. She mentioned the need for a building…”coincidently.” Soon after John Luke spoke with representatives from Purchased who told him that with the help of a building, human trafficking in Northern Louisiana could be ended in 6 years! Some wise words from John Luke: “All you have to do to change the world sometimes is just say yes, just be available and not worry about the hard things that could come out of it…keep your eye on the prize, do more stuff.” So, here is a tangible way to get involved with the abolition of human trafficking, and you will see the results in six years! How cool is that? I encourage you to donate to the vision of John Luke. John Luke on Twitter Watch John Luke share his story with Liberty University! |
AuthorFollower of Christ, a senior at Liberty University studying Advertising and Public Relations. Archives
April 2015
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