So as this campaign is nearing an end (only a little over a week till the bike rides!), I'm interested to hear what your thinking. If you have been reading the blog or stumbled upon it...what are your thoughts?
Have you learned anything about human trafficking?
Were you aware of this injustice before?
Has anything really struck you?
Anything make a lasting impression?
Has anyone been motivated to give, to act?
Please share your input, ideas, etc!
Tuesday, April 24, 2012
Monday, April 23, 2012
A DRESS for any weather...
What I thought my dress might look like the last week of April....
What it actually looks like....
What it actually looks like....
Oh Buffalo weather, you never cease to amaze!
Saturday, April 21, 2012
The dress.
21 days down.
9 to go.
I can't believe its already been 3 weeks in the dress. It's been an interesting experience to say the least. The best part - is not worrying about what I will wear.
I know for sure there are people in some of my classes who are wondering why I'm wearing the same dress everyday.
The first day I wore the pin (which says ask me about my dress) a manager from Buffalo Wild Wings who was at a blood drive at Buff State asked. We got to talking and set up an event at BWW. On Sunday May 6 from 4-10 pm they will donate 10% of each check amount to the organization! If your interested in going.. all you need is a ticket to present at your table (just let me know if you want one!). Now we have somewhere to go post bike ride to wrap up the fundraiser!
Dress pictures...
9 to go.
I can't believe its already been 3 weeks in the dress. It's been an interesting experience to say the least. The best part - is not worrying about what I will wear.
I know for sure there are people in some of my classes who are wondering why I'm wearing the same dress everyday.
The first day I wore the pin (which says ask me about my dress) a manager from Buffalo Wild Wings who was at a blood drive at Buff State asked. We got to talking and set up an event at BWW. On Sunday May 6 from 4-10 pm they will donate 10% of each check amount to the organization! If your interested in going.. all you need is a ticket to present at your table (just let me know if you want one!). Now we have somewhere to go post bike ride to wrap up the fundraiser!
Dress pictures...
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Sunday, April 8, 2012
How I became a modern-day abolitionist
Were you ever exposed to injustice in the
world that made you want to cry,
want to do something about it,
want to make a CHANGE?
The first time I was exposed to the
horrible crime of human
trafficking was in a sociology class.
We watched a video that made me
feel sick. How could this be going
on in 2011? In the United
States? I felt saddened for the
people, especially the girls taken as
sex slaves. After class, I went about
my day and just as quickly forgot
about the tragic injustice I had
heard of in class. After that I was
reminded of the injustice a few
more times. Each time I thought
of the film that I saw in class. And
each time I went back to my life, once
again forgetting.
This past summer the
issue came up again, when talking to
a friend who was volunteering for an
organization that fights social injustice.
This time was different. I decided I
would not just forget -- I would do
something about it. I started
thinking about what I could do. I was
in the middle of planning a bike trip
and it dawned on me. I love riding
my bike and I had heard of other
people pledging to ride/run a mile for
every dollar donated. Just like that
the idea was born -- Bike for Love.
At first I thought I would bike a mile for
every dollar donated through a campaign.
But after some consideration, I realized
I would like to get others involved.
All it takes is $14.60 donation and a
14.6 mile bike ride. Get our your bike
and let's Bike for Love!
and let's Bike for Love!
With every mile --
WE ARE THE CHANGE.
It's not just "my thing"
Since the decision I made last summer to get involved with this cause, I have been thinking about this fundraiser, brainstorming and thinking of ideas. My closest friends have heard me talk about it, working through all the details.
One of these friends and I were having a conversation about politics and religion - (I know, I know, there supposed to be avoided but we love to debate and discuss). The topic of social justice got very heated. My friend and I were arguing over responsibility. We came to this conclusion that "this was my thing" therefore I can't really be upset if people do not jump on board.
Lately, I've been thinking about that conversation and mostly that conclusion. I have to say - I've since changed my mind.
Yes, "this is my thing." Meaning, this is the one cause I cannot turn a blind eye to. It breaks my heart, brings me to tears and stirs a righteous anger within me. It's my thing. I want to be involved, I want to see a change and I will actively pursue that.
It probably has something to do with being a woman. I have felt the fear of walking alone at night and heard stories of abuse that terrified me. I can't imagine something more terrible than being attacked and sexually assaulted, being violated in that way.
But I have to say justice should be everyone's thing. I'm positive if this was labeled an American issue or worse, happened to a loved one - wouldn't we rise up (like Liam Neeson's character in Taken) and fight for justice? I have three nieces and if someone hurt them; I'm pretty sure there is nothing I wouldn't do to restore, protect and receive justice for them!
I realize there are a lot of factors as to why people are not involved. Maybe they are unaware. Or do not know how to get involved. Maybe they don't ride a bike, own a bike or think they can't bike 14 miles (you can!).
We have a lot to be thankful for, yet doesn't it seem like we always focus on what we don't have?
I think I know what the answer is... Gratefulness.
When I take time to be grateful for all I have, I don't want as much and I want to give to those who don't have as much. Lately, I have been reminded over and over how easy it is to say thank you, but gratefulness is shown when we stop wanting and start giving.
How many times do we hear about how much we have to be thankful for because we live in America? Where we are free? Is it enough to be thankful for our own freedom and not care about others who are not only in slavery, but violate and abused?
Thousands of children will go to bed tonight after a long day of "work," making money for their oppressors, money they will never see. They go to bed without hope, knowing tomorrow will be the same - a long day of being raped and oftentimes abused.
I know it is harsh. But it is reality for many girls and boys. How can we ignore it?
What if no one stood up for women's rights? What if no one stood up for African Americans? What if everyone was too busy or apathetic to give energy, time or money to these causes? We have come so far as a nation because of people standing up to injustice. Why stop now?
So my new conclusion is that it's not just "my thing" - its "our thing" as free people we must speak up for those who can not speak for themselves. We may not be able to fight it on our own - but we should do what we can.
My professor shared this story with us about responsibility - I think it's safe to say it applies to fighting injustice as well...
This is a little story about four people named Everybody, Somebody, Anybody, and Nobody.
There was an important job to be done and Everybody was sure that Somebody would do it.
Anybody could have done it, but Nobody did it.
Somebody got angry about that because it was Everybody's job.
Everybody thought that Anybody could do it, but Nobody realized that Everybody wouldn't do it.
It ended up that Everybody blamed Somebody when Nobody did what Anybody could have done.
One of these friends and I were having a conversation about politics and religion - (I know, I know, there supposed to be avoided but we love to debate and discuss). The topic of social justice got very heated. My friend and I were arguing over responsibility. We came to this conclusion that "this was my thing" therefore I can't really be upset if people do not jump on board.
Lately, I've been thinking about that conversation and mostly that conclusion. I have to say - I've since changed my mind.
Yes, "this is my thing." Meaning, this is the one cause I cannot turn a blind eye to. It breaks my heart, brings me to tears and stirs a righteous anger within me. It's my thing. I want to be involved, I want to see a change and I will actively pursue that.
It probably has something to do with being a woman. I have felt the fear of walking alone at night and heard stories of abuse that terrified me. I can't imagine something more terrible than being attacked and sexually assaulted, being violated in that way.
But I have to say justice should be everyone's thing. I'm positive if this was labeled an American issue or worse, happened to a loved one - wouldn't we rise up (like Liam Neeson's character in Taken) and fight for justice? I have three nieces and if someone hurt them; I'm pretty sure there is nothing I wouldn't do to restore, protect and receive justice for them!
I realize there are a lot of factors as to why people are not involved. Maybe they are unaware. Or do not know how to get involved. Maybe they don't ride a bike, own a bike or think they can't bike 14 miles (you can!).
We have a lot to be thankful for, yet doesn't it seem like we always focus on what we don't have?
I think I know what the answer is... Gratefulness.
When I take time to be grateful for all I have, I don't want as much and I want to give to those who don't have as much. Lately, I have been reminded over and over how easy it is to say thank you, but gratefulness is shown when we stop wanting and start giving.
How many times do we hear about how much we have to be thankful for because we live in America? Where we are free? Is it enough to be thankful for our own freedom and not care about others who are not only in slavery, but violate and abused?
Thousands of children will go to bed tonight after a long day of "work," making money for their oppressors, money they will never see. They go to bed without hope, knowing tomorrow will be the same - a long day of being raped and oftentimes abused.
I know it is harsh. But it is reality for many girls and boys. How can we ignore it?
What if no one stood up for women's rights? What if no one stood up for African Americans? What if everyone was too busy or apathetic to give energy, time or money to these causes? We have come so far as a nation because of people standing up to injustice. Why stop now?
So my new conclusion is that it's not just "my thing" - its "our thing" as free people we must speak up for those who can not speak for themselves. We may not be able to fight it on our own - but we should do what we can.
My professor shared this story with us about responsibility - I think it's safe to say it applies to fighting injustice as well...
This is a little story about four people named Everybody, Somebody, Anybody, and Nobody.
There was an important job to be done and Everybody was sure that Somebody would do it.
Anybody could have done it, but Nobody did it.
Somebody got angry about that because it was Everybody's job.
Everybody thought that Anybody could do it, but Nobody realized that Everybody wouldn't do it.
It ended up that Everybody blamed Somebody when Nobody did what Anybody could have done.
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Monday, April 2, 2012
30 days; 1 dress
To raise awareness about this cause I have pledged to wear the same dress for the month of April. The dress is just a tool to start the conversation. I have also made a button to wear that says, ask me about my dress with the LOVE 146 logo. The idea is that the button/dress will spark the conversation to tell people about this cause and how to get involved.
Today is the end of the 2nd day. Yesterday I was privileged to hear a sex-trafficking survivor speak and tell her story. I found myself shaking my head in disgust, crying, frustrated, sad, disturbed, empowered and hopeful.
I've read a lot of statistics about the problem which are awful but to hear the personal insight was really disturbing.
Here are the most interesting and devastating things I learned:
*She was trafficked in Texas - not a far away, developing country!
* Her traffickers moved the children around between 4 hubs located in:
LOVE 146 Cards
Today is the end of the 2nd day. Yesterday I was privileged to hear a sex-trafficking survivor speak and tell her story. I found myself shaking my head in disgust, crying, frustrated, sad, disturbed, empowered and hopeful.
I've read a lot of statistics about the problem which are awful but to hear the personal insight was really disturbing.
Here are the most interesting and devastating things I learned:
*She was trafficked in Texas - not a far away, developing country!
* Her traffickers moved the children around between 4 hubs located in:
- Nevada
- California
- Florida....and
- Allegheny - right here in NY (this is not a distant problem - it is in our backyards)!
* When she gained their trust she learned their secrets - she learned about the corruption. Senators, celebrities, athletes, DA's, police officers - were all involved.
*In 2004, the first time she was ready to tell her story she was speaking before congressmen. The FBI people in the room cut her off during her story - affirmation that they too were involved.
*Some states have not adopted laws to protect victims of trafficking. In states like Texas, an 8-year-old girl was registered as a sex offender because she was forced into prostitution.
*She told a story of other girls (and boys) that were held captive in the same place as her. She told a story of a little girl who had been enslaved since the age of 5. She didn't know her birthday and could not remember her parents. Life as a sex slave was all she knew.
*The "prime time" for trafficking boys was while they are between the ages of 3 - 13. When the boys turned 13 they were trained to become recruiters.
The story was enraging and sad but if I took one thing away from hearing it, it's a stronger commitment to fighting for justice and an end to modern day slavery.
What about you? Will you join me in becoming a modern day abolitionist?
I finally got all the materials that I ordered for my dress campaign. There are a couple things I will be utilizing to spread awareness and to gain donations.
Pins/Stickers
For people who can't commit to wearing a dress for a whole month...maybe you can commit to wearing a pin, even for a day or putting it on a backpack, purse, anything. So when people ask you can tell them both about the cause and the organization. Maybe you can put a sticker on something.
I will be selling stickers/pins for a $5 donation. This is any easy way both to give a little something (if you can't give more or be a part of the ride) and to generate awareness. It's an easy way to talk about the cause when people ask about the pin and/or sticker.
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| Sticker |
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| Pin |
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| Me in the dress. Dad sporting a 146 pin. |
I also picked up some cards from LOVE 146. The cards give lots of information about the cause and the organization. This way when people ask about my dress I will have some information to give them.
2 days down...28 to go!
2 days down...28 to go!
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