past labels

What do you think of when you hear "teen prostitute"?

what do you think of when you hear "sexually exploited child"?

the power of words is amazing - associations, generalizations, stereotypes - often we put people, things, institutions, whole social systems in boxes - into things we try to make sense of, dismiss, or demonize. What are we really accomplishing? how do we move past these labels to humanity? to truth - even ugly truth. How do we recognize the victim and reach out with support for empowerment, rather than turning the other way saying "thats all they were good for anyway". That is ultimately what we are saying if we stop and think about it - when we don't care that a young girl from Uphams Corner goes missing - when we don't want to face the back of the Pheonix and recognize the exploitation happening there, but rather shut it fast. When the media gets all upset about a white girl from the suburbs with wealthy parents who gets abducted, and nothing is mentioned about the hundreds of girls who go missing from our city's poorest communities. This is not ok.

I went to an all day training today through "My Life My Choice" - much of these thoughts comes from processing the training.
something interesting from the training...

Who is at Risk?
girls at risk for recruitment into CSEC (commercial sexual exploitation of children) are girls who:

• Are under 18 years old
• Walk to school or to the stare alone
• Own or have access to a computer
• Are attracted to consumer goods
• Desire to develop romantic relationships
• sometimes feel insecure
• feel misunderstood
  
• fight with their parents
• sometimes feel their parents don't care
• want more independence
• test boundaries and take risks

question: According to this list, who is at risk for recruitment into CSEC? Know anyone - especially any teens that fit those?

exactly - this could happen to anyone! which is why we must continue to get the word out! and, we must watch out language and move past harmful labels.

in the quiet

in the quiet of the night - the city still is moving. there are voices yelling outside, sirans blaring down the street, a baby cries - too hot to sleep.
I wonder how many people around the block from where i sit are worried about tomorrow's food and shelter - or if they will be pregnant, or hurt again when their boyfriend wakes up. do they dare leave? no.
I sit and wonder what my role is - in this city - in this world - as a voice for the voiceless, speaking up on behalf of the estimated 27 million in slavery today - there are so many different things needing to be done! the problem is HUGE and complex and interconnected!! Yet - it does not overwhelm God. He has declared that it will end - and he is bringing that to pass - he has choces to use us- his people! will we stand up and fight this battle with him?
As I process and learn to listen to His leading - i hope this space will be a place of reflection and sharing of what im learning. I hope you find it helpful or at least encouraging.

the problems can seem huge and overwhelming, but I serve a God who has a plan, and I have been given a peice of that to do. Only a peice. I can go to bed tonight handing him the rest - not carrying it on my sholders. He promises he will never sleep - so I will let him watch over all the problems and issues and conserns tonight.
I heard that word of wisdom from my friend E.

I am thankful for friends. For community. For the freedom to let go and let God lead me where he will - I can stay in this space of uncertainty and flexibility. it is a gift for right now. And i am glad. It can be hard- but i am learning.
there is a deeper purpose for my existance than I may assume. God's kindom is coming - and is already here - and I am called to be a part of that. It is coming as upsidedown and backwards as one could imagine - and so we are called to be last - to be the servant - to be poor and lowly and there to seek His face. to Love. to be filled with Joy!

Joy is a powerful thing. Never loose it.