Monday, April 2, 2012

Slavery: A Timeline that Continues

History isn’t my forte. So when I heard the name “William Wilberforce,” my first thought was, “Ah, yes, an 18th century American President!” UHRR – wrong answer. No, apparently, William Wilberforce was a Member of Parliament circa the late 1700s. Right time frame, wrong dude. Sigh.

Now Mr. Wilberforce, as I’ve come to learn, wasn’t the typical political fuddy-duddy of the era, in the I-fancy-wearing-silly wigs-and-sporting-a robust-potbelly -way. No, he was a game changer. And with the support of fellow political abolitionists like Thomas Clarke, William Wilberforce became a notable force in turning the tide of slave trade. Breaking the triangular tide that flowed from Africa to the West Indies to Great Britain, the tide that brought Britain its chief import during the 18th century. For 15 years, Wilberforce presented Parliament with the truth – via 3+ hour soliloquies, petitions of upwards 1 million signatures, and law proposals upon law proposals encouraging the end of Britain’s role in human trafficking. Parliament relented after 15 years, but didn’t fully concede until 26 years after Wilberforce initially presented them with the truth – completely abolishing slave trade with the passing of the Slavery Abolition Act of 1833. Penniless, William Wilberforce died 3 days later.

This knowledge, I acquired, not from tired history books or internet sleuthing, but rather, from going to church. A church I had not stepped foot in for over 18 months. A church I’ve only been to a handful of times. A church professing a religion I have been vacillating with for most of my adult life.

Earlier that Saturday morning, my alarm woke me before sunrise. I had signed up to help with the Run For Shelter 5k Run/Walk event, which was a fundraiser for Transitions, an organization that provides aftercare programs for survivors of sex trafficking in Cambodia. Two months prior, I had gone with Transitions to Cambodia to engage in the work they were doing on the ground floor. I came back feeling empowered, yearning to help. I shared stories with friends and colleagues, posted Facebook articles about human trafficking, signed up to sponsor a girl, wrote a piece for my employer's newsletter, and volunteered for events to bring awareness and financial support to Transitions' and their mission. As I dressed for my volunteer position at the event registration table, adorning four layers of clothing and spare tissues in my pockets, my mind kept iterating - "It's Saturday. You should go to Crossroads Church tonight." Random. I haven't been there in 18 months. Whatever, pushing it to the back of my mind.

The event went well. I met up with my friend Linda who had gone with me on the engagement trip. Chatted briefly with the founders James & Athena Pond. Everyone was excited that I was out of the orthopedic boot I had acquired whilst traveling in Cambodia - broken foot bone the first day in. Afterwards, I visited briefly with my twin sister who had vaguely remembered the morning event. Onwards, I went to my boyfriend's place, summarizing the morning events (minus the bit about church). He was going to catch up with friends for dinner at the Comet, a neighborhood eatery specializing in the best cheap burritos. He encouraged me to come but I felt more inclined to stay in and take some time for writing. As I left his place around the hour of 4, the thought returned, "Why not go to Crossroads Church today. If you leave now, you'll make it there in time for their 4:30pm service." Alright, alright. I succumbed to my mind's persistent coaxing.

As I drove the 20 minutes to Crossroads, I contemplated my role with Transitions. What more could I do at this point? What should I be doing? A couple weeks prior during my first writing class with Women Writing for (a) Change, I had shared my short story about my journey to Cambodia with Transitions. One woman had recommended that I share the story with Oprah's readers. Submit the story to O magazine - It might be just the story they're looking for! Might get in, might not. Wow, to have Oprah spreading the word about Transitions! Wow. Think what that could do for sex trafficking, for Transitions! Oprah, the One with the Golden Touch! Ecstatic by the idea, I searched online for how to do this. The more I read, the more discouraged I became. How does one even go about submitting a story? Who do I send it to? Is there a certain format? Oh wow, I don't think this is it. I don't think I can do this. My story probably isn't good enough... The self-deprecating thoughts marinated, circulated, populated as my tires crossed the threshold into Crossroads’ parking lot. As I entered Crossroads expansive complex, one glimmering, hopeful thought leaked through, "Well, maybe, you can..."

I sat down. Lights dimming. Opened the weekend brochure. The topic: Sex trafficking. 


Woah. My mind - silenced. The room - silenced.


Somewhat spooked but intrigued, I listened. I learned. Wilberforce. An abolitionist. 15 years of rejection. I reflected. The fight isn't over. Slavery in the 21st century still exists. There are more slaves today than were seized from Africa in four centuries of the trans-Atlantic slave trade (National Geographic)


Modern day slavery needs its abolitionists.I looked down at my volunteer Run for Shelter shirt, still on from the morning event, and I realized, this race isn't over yet.









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