Bring them back!

I am ashamed to admit this, but I feel it important, at the same time to do so...

Up until a few minutes ago, I had absolutely no idea what this was about:  

Yeah.  The simple rundown as I understand it from my limited research as of now:

250 teenage girls were kidnapped from their school by men disguised in military uniforms and they are to be sold as sex slaves.

They're being sold as "wives" to be "married" which is a complete defilement of both words and I refuse to give credence to the notion that these girls are  either wives or married because it's completely against their will. 

It shouldn't matter where these girls were. No one should ever be stolen. No one should ever be sold. But, for those that find those details of utmost importance, they were kidnapped from a boarding school in Nigeria. They, against what their society says is okay, against the odds, put their all into succeeding, and were in high school. They were pursuing big dreams- successfully.

And in the night, it was all ripped from underneath them. They were trusting these "military" men with their safety, only to have their school burned and their lives taken from their control. A few have escaped, but most are STILL missing.

This all happened on April 14, 2014.

That night, I was safe in my home in the early stages of labor, preparing for the arrival of my daughter.

Tonight, I learned, three weeks later, about this crime. THREE WEEKS. I was sitting in my rocking chair in my living room, nursing my three-week old daughter, as I read about #bringbackourgirls and goosebumps and chills invaded my body. I felt sick to my stomach.

Here I was, holding my baby girl, cuddling and loving on her, wondering what she will be like in the future, reveling in my hopes and dreams for her... And I read of 250 baby girls across the sea who were ripped away from their own mommas, their own hopes and dreams, their own lives, by, pardon me, some evil rotten scumbags wanting to make a buck. Some men with no respect for the sanctity of life stole these girls. 

Can you imagine that? Can you imagine stealing these girls? Can you imagine being one of those girls? Can you imagine that girl was your baby?

She is OUR GIRL. They ARE OUR GIRLS.

We belong to each other.

#BRINGBACKOURGIRLS

Here's a link to sign a petition that the US step up. We are a "power country." Let's use the power for good. 

https://petitions.whitehouse.gov/petition/work-un-and-nigerian-government-bring-home-girls-kidnapped-boko-haram/fFcLj7s2

My three-week old baby may have no real power over the situation, but it's my goal to raise her to be a compassionate, caring, empowered woman who knows the intrinsic value of all humans. So, with that in mind, she's taking a stand, too.

South Dakota, I am ASHAMED. (And how you can help...)

Tonight, I read something that unnerved, upset... Well, frankly, pissed me off. Hardcore.

A few months ago, I blogged about the End It Now Movement and the huge prevalence of slavery/human trafficking that exists in our country, and worldwide.

http://goghgreen.blogspot.com/2013/04/reality-we-need-to-end-it.html?m=1

I have occasionally tried to do my part via social media, slacking, admittedly, to bring the issue to light. Tonight, though, I saw a graph that made me furious with my state (South Dakota) and the apparent complete disregard for the issue.

Now, yes, I realize there are many issues that officials need to address, I understand. But this one is too important to ignore completely. And, well, South Dakota is now the ONLY STATE IN THE COUNTRY that has not taken even basic steps to combat the issue. We are the ONLY STATE. 

It's SICKENING to me.

So tonight, I decided to start emailing my public officials. It's a start. And I'm praying others in the state will join in. If you live here, or know someone who does, take a few minutes to stand with me. If you can't think of what to say, you can copy and paste the following letter I wrote. I found my officials' emails via Google. It's that simple.

Here's the letter:

Good Evening.

I am writing you this letter out of deep concern for our state, our country, and our world.

You see, there is a huge issue that affects 27 million individuals worldwide, and I learned recently that our state is choosing to largely ignore this issue.

This issue is one of basic human rights. The right to NOT be owned by another. To not be property. Yes, I am in fact writing about slavery.

Slavery STILL EXISTS TODAY. In our country. According to the End It Now Movement, "Most people think that slavery in the United States ended with the Civil War. But right now, as you read this, there are roughly 200,000 slaves working in America. And 17,000 more will be trafficked in the next year." Also, from their site, which I provide below, "As many as 17,500 people are trafficked into the United States annually. That’s nearly 48 people a day who have become slaves on the very same soil where it was abolished 150 years ago. And the average age of these people? 14 years old."

Enough is ENOUGH. It is absurd to think this issue can be ignored.

According to the Polaris Project (also linked below), over the past year, our state has failed to do anything to combat this important issue. If you take the time to read and examine the graphic, we are now THE WORST STATE in the country when it comes to a lack of public, official, united concern for the millions still bound in slavery and human trafficking. We as a state should be ashamed to remain quiet. You as a public official should be ashamed that your power is not being utilized and your voice is silent.

Take a stand for humans. 

Let us work together to pass laws prohibiting human trafficking. Don't let our state live in the dark ages. Don't let our state give the impression that it is okay. It most definitely is NOT.

Thank you,

Polaris Project- 

http://www.polarisproject.org/what-we-do/policy-advocacy/national-policy/state-ratings-on-human-trafficking-laws

End It Now Movement-

http://enditmovement.com/learn