Photo: (Polaris Project)
Today marks the National Human Trafficking Awareness Day. Before you skip to the next post thinking that this doesn't affect you, think again - you're almost guaranteed to have come into contact with human trafficking or modern-day slavery at some point in your life.
Want some examples? The food you eat, the clothes you wear, the smartphone you use - all of those products may have been touched by modern-day slavery at some point in the supply chain, whether it's in the tomato fields of Florida or in the factories of India. Labor slavery also exists in restaurants, hotels, and pretty much anywhere else people can get away with abusing their laborers. Sex trafficking takes place everywhere from brothels in Thailand to street corners right here in NYC.
Overwhelming? Totally. But there are several easy ways you can take action to help end modern-day slavery. We've listed a few below; check out mtvu.againstourwill.org for more.
+ Educate yourself (and your friends). The expression "knowledge is power" is a cliché for a reason - understanding an issue gives you the key to taking meaningful action. Human trafficking persists because it's a crime that's been allowed to exist in the shadows for far too long. You can get the facts about modern-day slavery by checking out the Against Our Will site. Want to get your friends involved? One weekend, switch up your standard movie night for a screening of a documentary on human trafficking. Some of the ones we find to be the most powerful are Very Young Girls, a documentary on commercial sexual exploitation featuring the NYC-based nonprofit GEMS and Free the Slaves’ film Dreams Die Hard, which profiles people trapped in slavery throughout the US.
+ Talk about it. Once you understand the issue, it's time to get talking. Post about modern-day slavery on Facebook or Twitter (we've got a few ideas to get you started here). Are your friends throwing the word "pimp" around left and right or trying to get you to go to a strip club with them? Against Our Will also has a number of tips on how to talk to your friends when things get a bit touchy.
+ Take the Slavery Footprint survey. The Slavery Footprint tool allows you to find out how many slaves work for you, by measuring how the products you own and the lifestyle you live is impacted by modern-day slavery. Once you've learned your number, take action to counteract it using the Slavery Footprint mobile app by checking into stores and sending letters to them telling them that this is an issue you care about.
+ Go fair trade (at least a bit). In an ideal world, there'd be no such distinction as fair trade because all products would be made in a fair working environment. Until then, hunting down fair trade items is the best way to guarantee that workers making your products are treated fairly. If you can afford to and have access to fair trade products at your local store, buying as many things fair trade as possible is a smart decision – but if you can't, pick one item (like chocolate or coffee) and commit to always buying it fair trade. Every little bit helps!
+ Participate in Polaris Project's photo campaign. To commemorate National Human Trafficking Awareness Day, today Polaris Project launched the “[______] Against Human Trafficking” photo campaign. They’re asking everyone who’s moved by the issue to take a picture (alone, with friends, with classmates, or whoever you’d like) holding up a sign reading “[______] Against Human Trafficking” – for example, “NYU Students Against Human Trafficking” or “Activists Against Human Trafficking” (be creative!) Then, email your photo to Polaris Project by February 14th, and it’ll be featured on their blog.
actTAKE ACTION!
Visit Against Our Will
Get the facts on modern slavery. Check out the mtvU Against Our Will website.
