The most upbeat way to look at human trafficking or MODERN HUMAN SLAVERY is to realize we can stop it. Easily.
It may be difficult to reverse global warming leading to climate change and other complex issues confronting Mother Earth, but when it comes to Human Slavery, there are simple ways world citizens can stop it from happening.
One of the greatest solutions to ending human trafficking is to purchase Fair Trade products, products that certify the worker is paid a living wage for the product or service he/she provides. In the United States, for example, coffee is the 2nd most imported product we bring here. Much coffee in Latin America is produced in conditions of virtual slavery. A reasonable alternative is to look for the fair trade label on coffee we purchase. For example, Costco's Kirkland brand coffee is fair trade. Don't buy coffee if it isn't fair trade or "fairly traded" (Pete's Coffee). That puts a stop to our #2 import. It would have a huge impact on the indigenous populations who harvest coffee in El Salvador, Guatemala, or states like Chiapas in Mexico. If we want to buy coffee so cheap that we are willing to turn our backs on those who work in the industry, perhaps we need to realize, we don't have to have it at all.
Chocolate. Most chocolate in the US comes from plantations in west Africa. The cocoa beans are picked by children, mostly little boys with big machetes who are sold to their owners by their families. Many of the families are in refugee camps in other parts of Africa. The conservative world average stay in a refugee camp is seven years. For many, like those in the Kakuma Refugee Camp in western Kenya where over 180,000 people have lived since 1991, hope of ever leaving or "wining the lottery" but obtaining a visa to another country, is unlikely. Many of the people came there as "Lost Boys of Sudan" or from Somalia. Parents often hope selling their sons will provide the family with an income from wages they mistakenly believe the boys will receive. Worldwide, many refugees will die in the camps from starvation, violence or disease without having an opportunity to leave. So they indenture their children. Only buy fair trade chocolate. Cadbury UK is fair trade. DevineChocolateUSA is a fair trade chocolate supplier. Give something to children for Halloween other than non fair trade chocolate - try sugarless bubble gum. Don't express your love for your sweetheart by buying a product harvested by child slaves.
The Hilton Hotels are one of the few properties that have a zero tolorence policy against men buying all-inclusive stay packages for a week or two with a child of their choice. Popular in many first world countries, these predators pay by credit card and go to third world countries like Cambodia, the Philippines or Brazil for vacations. When we witness questionable relationships, speak-up, complain and demand change. Change occurs when we stand-up for others. These are our children, our relatives.
Ethical consumerism is a powerful weapon against human slavery. We can all make a difference.
"One Earth-One People"
Professora Merylee
Tuesday, November 24, 2015
Women’s Ordination Conference music
Women as Roman Catholic priests? Opinions are divided -- and fiery http://fw.to/EmWJIRU
Those of us who ARE THE CHURCH aren't leaving, but The Church in America needs major work.
In the United States, a democracy, the Church's stance on Women's Ordination is unconstitutional. Maybe in countries ruled by dictators, excluding over half of the members of a religion might not seem so grating, but it is just plain wrong here.
The only thing worse, than allowing the Church to operate outside the spirit of the law, is to give
them tax-exempt status while they do it. We don't allow other organizations to discriminate against
our citizens without making them deal with the legal consequences, we cannot engage in selective
law enforcement for the Roman Catholic Church.
It is a matter of time before one of two things happen: the Church will expire, due to lack of morally
competent leadership (priest abuse cases) and inability move from the dark ages; or, there will be
Roman Catholic Women Priests in the end.
This painful issue would be more swiftly resolved, with less damage to the Church, if our courts
began hearing civil right challenges to our CONSTITUTION. In short: women are the greatest
victims of discrimination in the Church and it will stop, sooner or later.
Monday, November 23, 2015
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