I’ve seriously started thinking about how I can apply the lessons I’ve learned here in Toronto through the people I’ve met, the places I’ve been, and the things I’ve seen to the people, places, and things back home in North Carolina. How can I serve those who need me most in the Raleigh-area? What are the resources available to people who are homeless, poor, “invisible”, dying of AIDS, marginalized, or unlovely in my home state? How can I get involved? What can I actively do in order to proclaim my social concerns in a positive way?
Many of the dark things that plague the inner-city of Toronto can be found right in our backyards of rural and suburban communities through the state of North Carolina. There are homeless people in the Triangle. There are poor people living in run-down and inadequate housing throughout the state. There are people who have to choose between paying this month’s rent or buying food for their family. There are people living with HIV and dying of AIDS all around us.
One thing that many people think of happening only in the mega-city is human trafficking. Part of CSM’s prayer tour is driving down Yonge Street and pointing out the approximately 25 “massage parlors” on the 2nd floor of many buildings. These shops are anything but a massage parlor. In fact, they are brothels where immigrant women are tricked into the sex trade and are forced into prostitution. Many of the women come from third-world countries and are promised a new and better life in Canada. The people making these promises tell the women that they will have all of their paperwork and immigration documents taken care of. When the women (and men as well) arrive in Canada, somehow their paperwork has “fallen through” and they become illegal residents of the country. The seemingly nice and caring people who promised them a better life in Toronto then show their true colors by giving the women two options: 1) be arrested and then deported back to their home countries where war, famine, and oppression rule, or 2) work in a “massage parlor” for the rest of their lives. Because of their situations back home, most make the forced choice to stay in the city and sell themselves against their wills. Everyone knows that the massage parlors are no such thing, but the authorities rarely do anything about it.
Human trafficking can also involve people being forced into workplace slavery – on farms, in sweatshops, and mega-corporations. Basically, human trafficking is modern-day slavery and it happens on a much larger and frequent scale than you may think. And, the sad thing is that it is occuring in our very own state, in our very own communities.
NC Stop Human Trafficking is a website devoted to advocacy and prevention of human trafficking in the state of North Carolina. I encourage you to check the website out and educate yourself. Because if we – the average citizens – do not care about this hienous industry, then who will? Change starts with you. And, change starts with me.
Another great organization that I support is Amnesty International – a global network of socially concerned peoples who work for basic human rights regardless of race, gender, national origin, sexual orientation, economic status, or religious background. Amnesty operates under the belief that all people are entitled to be treated equally and fairly, and they strive to make that dream a reality. They frequently advocate for, protest on behalf of, and raise financial support for victims of political imprisonment, war crimes, religious persecution, human trafficking, and discrimination on any level.
Good Morning Jason, I know what you are saying, lots of the things you are seeing this summer happens right around all of us. I know when I live on 2nd Street, each afternoon about 5:30, the homeless would walk down the street in front of the house going to their sleeping spots under the bridge. It was a dry, as “safe as possible” place for them to spend the night. Everyone on the street would put blankets , warn clothing, can foods, etc. out in front of our houses on Tuesdays and Saturdays, by night it was all gone. Often there were notes left saying “Thanks”. We do not have to look very far to see needs that are waiting to be met. You have help us understand that we all can help, that we all need to be doing something. I know you have done this for me, Thank You for opening my eyes and starting me to think of what I can do . Be safe! See you soon.
Hey Jason, (I mean, “Ill South”) – just want you to know that we will be praying for your safe return to NC. Wow, only five days left. I’ve been reading your blog since our own return from Toronto (who came up with the word ‘blog’??? It’s weird). Anyway, I’m excited for what God is doing in your life. You have so much to offer and I earnestly believe that your fervor to do good work will remain constant throughout your life. Remember Jeremiah 29:11, it is a glimpse of hope in a dark world…”for I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future”. God said this after issuing a 70-year judgment of captivity, so I think we can be reminded that our work on earth will never done and that He truly holds our future. Ok, enough of the sermon, I can’t believe you got to wear Brother John’s habit!!! Hilarious. Whenever I stop to think of our CSM trip (which is often), I am just blown away and oftentimes speechless. Matt and I can’t wait to go back and visit. One of our many stops will definitely be St. Francis Table. Amazing place. Oh, I did get the tattoo on my other foot (of the olive branch). My prayer is that when I see it, obviously EVERYDAY, God will remind me of the story of Noah – that God is the author of peace and we are called to be His peacemakers. Hey, don’t forget that Matt’s brother lives in the Raleigh area, so we WILL look you up when we’re down there next; AND you also said you’d visit us in MI, so the Crew will be waiting. Until then, may you be blessed and may you enjoy french fries for a long, long time. Rock on. Take care. In Christ, Jeanne Molter (and Matt too, and the Lawn Crew)