Dec 25, 2009

What Happened?

About five years ago, in our FGI programs, we began to include information on Sexual Slavery and Sex Trafficking. Both of us felt strongly about our responsibility to share this information. As we shared what we knew on slides and with other graphics, people seemed amazed and surprised that the United States and Western Europe were the destinations for millions of girls and women, held against their will, and used as sexual slaves.

From time to time, one or two persons would ask us for more information and make some kind of commitment to do more. Then, we had the generous invitation from ProKarma to come to India to work. What an opportunity in many ways! We were delighted! Still reading more and more about sexual slavery and trafficking, we came across information about Prajwala. We took time to do some face-to-face research. The visit with Dr. Sunitha Krishnan and her "children" changed our lives.

Our further investigation and research has not stopped. Our further work in sharing the information has not stopped. Will not stop.

We have now shared three of these Reflections with a hand-selected group of people. You are one of those persons. Over the past weeks, many who received our Reflections wrote back. Again and again, the question, "What can we do?"

Please tell other people the stories we share with you. Go online and read about Prajwala and about Sexual Slavery and Sex Trafficking. Do not keep this information inside you; tell other people. Give up focusing on how bad knowing this makes you feel. Act by sharing the information. Look at the little girls faces and imagine them as your nieces, your daughters, your granddaughters.

Many who receive our Reflections want to donate immediately. Unfortunately, most of those online non-profits who accept your donations take a minimum of 15% of what you donate. After January 1, we will ask you to consider making a tax-free donation directly to our US 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, FGISpirit International. Your donation, 100% of it, will be directly hand carried to Dr. Krishnan.

What did I learn?

Carol: I have never been good at being patient. This issue has been with me from childhood. I've never been good at staying quiet about things that interest me. In fact, as I recently shared with Susan Courtney, my early childhood report cards always focused on these two issues as areas for my development.

However, as I grew older, suddenly, what were "Problems in Deportment" turned into what teachers suddenly saw as "Leadership Potential." Now, I reflect on this with a deeper understanding. I understand that what we learned as children, most of us in US schools, was meant to keep us safe and easier to manage. However, as adults, we must learn to speak out and have courage if we are going to change the most complex issues of this global society. I've learned that today's reality is that no country borders separate us any more from the raw truths of life. So, I am speaking out, again. I am proud to be able to do this and ask you to join me.

This means that it's time for Tim and me to share a very difficult video with you. I mean difficult to watch. No matter how difficult it is to watch, please do watch it. You will see a woman who risks her life every day, being impatient and never staying quiet. As we've shared with you, Dr. Sunitha Krishnan risks her own life daily to share the truth about global sexual slavery and trafficking. Listen, watch, learn and decide if you wish to stand up with us on this issue. I hope your answer is "yes." The video can be found at this link.

I send love to you, Carol

Tim: Watching the short video noted in Carol's reflection, I saw how one person of courage can galvinize thousands with her witness. What I know about myself is that I am sometimes less able to manage my anger about Sexual Trafficking than Sunitha appears to be.

When I go to the Internet to google topics like sexual slavery, there are thousands of articles that come up. After reading dozens and dozens of them I wonder: with so much being written, why are people not aware? Why are people not up in arms? Doesn't anyone read anymore? Eventually, I conclude that this topic is so repulsive to most of us that we don't want to read or hear about it. I conclude that those with a vested interest in sexual slavery depend on it for billions of dollars in profit each year and so influence city, state and federal officials to look the other way. Some in the Federal Government appear to believe that if this issue became a priority, it would put the US in a bad light.

I know that women are still marginalized in the world, especially those from Asia, the Middle East and Africa. Therefore tragedies that affect women and children always take a lower priority than those that affect Euro-American men. It is past time to change this priority for the well-being of all. I feel as though we are at a unique time in history when we can positively influence the future both at home and across the globe. Women's energy may be the best hope for the planet right now. Even though we have suppressed that energy for centuries, we can take positive action now. I have been proud to advocate on behalf of women all my adult life. I have not been as active on behalf of children. Please join us in witnessing to the terrible illness that is the slavery of girls and women for sex. It exists in your city and my city as well as in Hyderabad, India.

As we celebrate the Christmas holiday in the US, I invite you to take positive action both to educate yourself and others about Sexual Trafficking and Sex Slavery. With love, Tim