abolition: your choices matter

hello friends,

i don't think anyone reads this anymore, but that's okay, because i just wanted to post it anyways...just in case someone happens upon this!

the last few weeks i have been involved in a workshop geared towards bringing awareness about/progress towards ending modern day slavery/human trafficking. here is the post card i made for it...in the class we are creating propaganda that will attempt to open people's eyes that this is going on in our own city, in front of our eyes each day; we have a mapping team that is keeping their eyes open for places that might have slaves; and finally we have an art team that is putting together an art show to invite friends, co-workers and family to, in hopes of sparking some passion in these people's lives.
in addition, there is a "rockumentary" about human trafficking that is about to be playing in several cities around the nation. i hope that perhaps you (whoever you are) will go to www.callandresponse.com and will watch the trailer, and either go see the movie in your city, or request for the film to COME to your city...and spread the word! also, i am reading a book by kevin bales called "ending slavery"...it is quite an encouraging book that has been opening my eyes not only to what i can do to help end this awful global crisis, but it also tells true, real stories about what have happened and are continuing to happen in the world in the slave trade/realm of human trafficking. i think that i am going to give this book to most people i know for christmas...hopefully it comes out in paperback by then. :)

this is an issue that is haunting every dollar i spend. what is that article of clothing truly worth to me? is it worth sacrificing someone's freedom? someone's life? not so much. is that cup of coffee worth it? is that chocolate bar really worth it? now that i am aware of this (and by "aware" i really mean that my eyes have barely even been opened to what is truly going on), how could i possibly go on living my life in the manner that i am now (or have been up to this point) knowing that i am contributing to the buying and selling of fellow human beings on this planet? that i am encouraging the torment and corruption and death of children and adults and communities around the world?

i can't.

i urge you, friends, to make that step and educate yourself on what is going on in the human trafficking industry. there are more slaves today than ever before.

if you live in san francisco, please come to an art show that we are hosting on october 23rd...keep checking www.reimagine.org for the details...they are to come.


love and peace,
melody