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There are a handful of revolutions with which I would like to ally myself. I am a frustrated reformist in that the system I would like to buck makes said bucking nearly impossible. The causes closest to my heart are the vast educational reform that should be occurring right now in America but ISN’T and Sex Trafficking in American cities.
This is a TED talk about sex slavery that provoked a serious religious tailspin for me – leaving me wondering if we live in a world of chaos, which eventually resulted in a tattoo on my forearm quoting Shakespeare’s most nihilistic soliloquy by MacBeth.
DO NOT WATCH THIS VIDEO. But if you think you’re tougher than me, go ahead. And if you do, please give me some free therapy.
The video below is one of the most inspiring TED talks discussing how education should be shaped from henceforth. Robinson (yes, same guy who said that schools kill creativity) explains how we should sort children’s cohorts not by age but by a variety of other qualifiers. Just listening to this guy effectively communicate some of the ideas to which I have long ascribed made me want to jump for joy and inspired this post.
ABSOLUTELY DO WATCH THIS.
These two problems distract the hell out of me.
But I am paralyzed! All I do to contribute to system bucking is listen to TED talks. Talky talky. I am guiltily living out day after day without throwing in whatever contribution I could be offering. But plainly and simply, I don’t know how!
In high school I used to help organize Take Back the Night Rallies and led some discussions on Women’s Safety issues. As a college professor I would educate toward resensitizing my jaded students to the offensiveness of pornography (because of the connection between pornography and sexual violence). But both of these activities are only talk. Talking to spread awareness. Uniting in opposing something. So what?
As an educator I was able to sleep a little better knowing that the students who came through my class were being exposed to if not learning about these issues. But while I was teaching English in Crenshaw my own little light was nearly snuffed out by the thought that for the rest of my student’s twelve hours of awake time they were likely being underserved. What difference does it make to turn the light on in one kid who will have to slog through the rest of the day in a system that is meant to stifle and sort rather than inspire and set free?
It seems the only people who are making any real difference are in bureaucratic positions, and even they are so limited by having to pander to the society that promotes them.
So I’m sitting here wondering, where are all the champions? Who is actually making a noticeable difference? And how can I join them?
But let’s be honest. Revolutionary or Miscreant that I am, I will likely just be participating in this type of movement:
Hey, I know my strengths. Somebody else change the world, apparently I am helpless.
3 comments:
Every single solitary word of this post spoke to me...I recently watched the documentary Half The Sky and was paralyzed, too.
I have a dear friend the is involved with a group called End Slavery Tennessee and they are doing some very real things to help with human trafficking in the southern states. Atlanta is only 2 1/2 hours from me and has horrific problems of sex trafficking. I googled to try and find a group in my area and found some grass root activity so I am going to try and join them. There may be groups already in your area. I just had no idea how to help and doubted my ability to form a group from the ground up.
I have some links to read and watch if you want to educate yourself more...but in a way I think we both are educated about the horrific details...just don't know how to help.
The other thing that breaks my heart is...if you watch Half The Sky or The Merchant of Souls or The Slave Next Door...you quickly realize that the brave heroines that help the victims of human trafficking have devoted their entire lives to the cause. It is so admirable...but one woman in particular (that works with young girls in the slums) said that she is not able to have a family and her husband left her because he was sick of all of her work (like passing out condoms to prostitutes in the slums and educate them about not selling their daughters into sexual slavery) that he left her. I cried for days and plead with Heavenly Father to help me know how to help. I don't want my own children to be neglected but it seemed like to truly help you had to devote everything to the cause...I just don't don't know how to find the balance and so I sit on my very large derriere not knowing what on earth to do.
By the way...I have been enjoying reading all of your posts. I am so happy for you that things are falling into place. You are a superb mother and I admire you greatly.
And I think I may have a crush on Hush...I mean, he's no Mike Marshman...but...well...you know what I'm sayin'... ;)
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