Category: RCL

Title: “Uncovering Injustice: Addressing the Global Crisis of Human Trafficking”

Introduction (context and exigence): Human trafficking serves as a brutal violation of human rights for many individuals all throughout the world, impacting an estimated 40.3 million people globally (Forgotten Children Worldwide- Chicago Citation). This disheartening statistic is almost representative of the entire state of California’s population, and there is an entire reality of exploitation and suffering involved in the lives of those millions of people. Not only is it critical to bring awareness to the anguish experienced by victims of this modern-day slavery, but it is imperative that we decide on a course of action to prevent future cases from increasing in numbers.

This brief seeks to shed light on the potential risk factors for becoming a victim of human trafficking. It dives into the place of vulnerability that being in a place of economic insecurity can place someone in when it comes to human trafficking, as well as how a lack of education can steer individuals down the treacherous and deceitful path that trafficking ends up being. For reference, a survey conducted by Humanity United directed towards victims and survivors of human trafficking states that 44 out of 88 (or 50%) of the respondents claim that they earned less than $30,000 per year (Humanity United- Chicago Citation). In light of these challenges, we must seek governmental interventions in order to understand trafficking’s root causes and potential solutions. By organizing the efforts of both the legislative government and individual determination, we can succeed in forming a future where the the freedom and dignity of all individuals is served without fail.

 

Thesis (possibles courses of action):

1. law enforcement training to help identify human trafficking when it is occurring rather than letting it go unnoticed
2. implementing rehabilitation services and support for victims and their families
3. educating people on how to avoid getting trafficked (ie. what it looks like, vulnerable communities, suspicious signs)

Evidence and arguments (based on above courses of action):

• Idea 2: https://www.apa.org/topics/women-girls/trafficking-women-girls#:~:text=The%20physical%20and%20mental%20health,%2C%20depression%2C%20and%20substance%20abuse. 
• idea 3: https://www.dhs.gov/blue-campaign?utm_source=google.com&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=rg.search-fy24.blue.national-english&utm_content=location&utm_term=human%20trafficking%20in&gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAjwh4-wBhB3EiwAeJsppHRvX4LrzJeEDYww3pDLSFoCoU9bEuSir16ylxLGGhl4unr45sEp9hoCZWMQAvD_BwE

Infographics (1 original and up to 3 from other sources):

Subtitles:

1. poverty
2. education

Feasibility and possible objections: 

1. the internet

Sources: 

Poverty and Human Trafficking: Survey Findings Reveal Racism and Precarity

Human Trafficking by the Numbers

 

Human trafficking serves as an issue for many individuals all throughout the world, and it even takes away the freedom and dignity of people in the United States. This modern-day form of slavery impacts an estimated 40.3 million people globally (Forgotten Children Worldwide- Chicago Citation). That is almost representative of the entire state of California’s population. This issue brief seeks to bring awareness to the relevance of human trafficking in today’s society, and it suggests possible ways to combat the challenge that these individuals face. Human trafficking is strongly correlated with poverty as it allows traffickers to gain control over victims by luring them in with job opportunities or other benefits. In a survey conducted by Humanity United directed towards victims and survivors of human trafficking, 44/88 (50%) of the respondents claimed that they earned less than $30,000 per year (Humanity United- Chicago Citation). When facing an issue as large as this one, it is imperative that we seek government involvement.

 

Sources:

Poverty and Human Trafficking: Survey Findings Reveal Racism and Precarity

Human Trafficking by the Numbers

 

PUBLIC PROBLEM: Human Trafficking

HARMS:

ISSUE AREAS: Human rights/services, pubic safety, forced labor, involuntary servitude

JURISDICTION: federal, US Government (Department of State)

MANDATES:

INDUCEMENTS: reward to citizens who report suspected trafficking

CAPACITY BUILDERS: workshop to understand human trafficking in other countries

https://www.state.gov/policy-issues/human-trafficking/

Overall, I had a decent experience with this assignment. It was definitely uncomfortable and very vulnerable to share what I believed in, but I enjoyed being able to tell a story in order to express my belief. I think that it made it easier to tell others what I believed about church and religion when they know that my belief came from someone who has experienced many years in the church. I think that this adds a layer of both pathos and ethos to the piece because my experience is trustworthy, and no one can take those beliefs away from me.

Personal is Political 

I want to do a “Free-ranging” approach where I maybe tell a few different stories. One would be to write about a friend of mine who is a non-citizen/immigrant who had issues with applying for health insurance. She has several kids, and figuring out the insurance allowed her to help heal her sick children. My other idea would be to write about my time volunteering in Guatemala and what I learned about serving others.

Civic Issues

The civic issue I would like to focus on would be access to healthcare or education for women in other countries.

“Make every effort to live in peace with everyone and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord.” Hebrews 12:14

I lifted my head up from the Bible, feeling overwhelmed with hope to be surrounded by people who also shared the same passion for loving and accepting others in order to create peace in this world. The evangelical church was enormous, and it felt as though the walls were swallowing me and the hundreds of other people in the auditorium. Today’s worship songs consisted of showing gratitude for the Lord’s love being within each and every one of us. I loved this message because I knew it meant that I was spending time with “good Christians” who would practice love and acceptance towards those around them all the time.

I was scrolling through Instagram later that Sunday when I came across a post made by a family church friend. She was reposting a photo from an account called “Anti _LGBTQ”. I was confused. It had to be a mistake. How could someone who practices God’s love to those around them be hateful towards someone’s sexual identity and preference? It was not until I looked into who also followed this account that I discovered several members of my church liking these posts and supporting this Instagram page.

I have always known that the Bible was written from a traditional perspective, and it favors being in a heterosexual relationship with one man and one woman. I guess I just found it hard to believe that Christians were still stuck in looking at sexuality in this traditional way and being a part of the LGBTQIA+ community was sinful, especially while these same people were singing and reading about loving others in order to create a “peaceful life”.

I spent the next couple of months reading more into what the Bible has to say about same-sex marriages, and I spoke with members of my church to see how they felt about the subject. Luckily, there were many individuals around me that accepted those in the LGBTQIA+ community, but unfortunately there were far more Christians who thought that being a part of that community was your one-way ticket to Hell. I quickly learned that these traditional and Biblical beliefs are engrained in many people who practice many religions all around the world.

I believe in reducing the misconception that someone like me (a white, straight, female) could not care less about a community that does not have any importance to her. I firmly believe in everyone having the freedom to live their life in any way that they feel fits them and their morals best. If this means practicing Christianity or Judaism, for example, I feel happy that they are passionate about living their life in that way. However, more times than not I find myself frustrated with my belief that far too many individuals who practice a form of religion use those “rules” to pick and choose when they will support and accept those around them, in order to create their version of peace in this world. For this reason, I never found myself back at that church. I still keep in touch with the same anti-LGBTQIA+ individuals that I knew and loved before, but a thin wall is placed between me and them because I believe in using our voices to truly be kind to one another, regardless of one’s personal beliefs.

Thank you.

“This I Believe” Podcast: 

1. My first idea is to write about my (lack of) religious beliefs.
2. My second idea is to write about my belief that immigrants are always doomed in this nation.

Personal is Political Blog:

1. My first idea is to write about my experience studying abroad in Guatemala, and how that taught me about service and children.
2. My second idea is to write about my experiences with being on a sports team all of my life, and how that taught me about leadership and teamwork.

Civic Issues Blog: 

1. My first idea is about education for women in other countries.
2. My second idea is about the expense of healthcare for people all around the world.

Here are some ideas that my group and I have for our Unit 3 project:

1. One idea that we have is to examine the controversy of video game violence. I would imagine that there are strong believers that video game violence is not such a bad thing because it’s barely significant, and I would also imagine that there are individuals that believe that exposure to violence in gaming can lead to negative effects.
2. A second idea that I have for the project is to look into the implementation of school uniforms. Is it a good thing to enforce a rigid dress code with identical outfits for each student, or does it limit the ability for high school students to express themselves?

Thank you.

Link to slides

As you can tell, I had a lot trouble finding an image for my slide about the 2000’s. I am still pulling research from this time period to figure out what image makes sense to include here.

I also think it was hard for me to narrow down a time period that I wanted to focus on. I decided to do the subtopic of institutional mental health resources (specifically in colleges) in order to focus my topic a little bit more.

Link to VoiceThread