Atlanta LIVE
Have you ever been interviewed on television? Last night was a first for me. I was on Atlanta Live, where I talked about my book, Rescuing Hope, and the issue of human sex trafficking in America. They sent over a lengthy form I had to fill out along with wardrobe and makeup suggestions. Needless to say, I was a nervous wreck by the time I arrived.
I met the host, Pastor Vincent, in the green room and we immediately hit it off, bantering back and forth. The studio was pitch black except for the actual set, which was lit up like a Christmas tree. By the time I took my seat and was wired for sound, literally, I realized I couldn’t see a thing except Pastor Vincent, which helped. From the moment the producer counted down to one until I left the set I was able to talk with Pastor Vincent as if I was sitting down in Starbucks with a friend sharing about the issue of sex trafficking. It was relaxed, comfortable.
Many people ask me, “How can I help?” I used to only point them to a list of organizations I have on my website, but have since realized one of the best things we can all do is tell someone about it; educated them. I often tell people,
If you’re buying a new car and decide to get a white one because you haven’t seen a lot of white cars on the road, you’ll find as you drive yours around town that white cars are everywhere. There are no more or less white cars out than before (other than your own), it’s just that you are aware of them now, so you notice them.”
The same is true with trafficking. You don’t see it or signs of it taking place, because it hasn’t been brought to your attention. Once you begin to get educated on the matter, you’ll notice more in the news, on television programs, and *possibly even situations you think might be trafficking. Awareness is the first step in bringing about change. You won’t fight to change what you don’t know exists.
Proverbs 31:8 says,
Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves.”
Now you can do that from a platform, by writing a book or an article about the issue, but the easiest way is to simple sit down with someone and share what you know. The more people who become educated about the issue and chose to get involved in the fight, the greater our chances are of eradicating modern day slavery.
William Wilberforce said,
You may choose to look the other way, but you can never say again that you did not know.”
Help decrease the number of people who do not know by raising your voice for hope. Learn all you can about human sex trafficking and begin educating others about the issue. There are thousands of Hopes in the world today who need us to speak up for them.
What will you choose to do?
*Should you see a situation you feel may be trafficking, DO NOT intervene. This is a very dangerous situation and should be left to the professionals to handle. Either call 911 or the National Human Trafficking Hotline, 1-888-373-7888 or text INFO or HELP to Be Free (233733).
I agree that the best thing you can do is tell others. Your comparison to buying a white car is totally true. Now that I have been made aware of this issue I take a closer look at girls I see walking down the road. (and men too for that matter) I notice people and surroundings more than ever…even houses and cars. I’ve also noticed that I scope out hotels when I drive by. Thanks Susan, for bringing this to our attention!
Thanks, Tonia, for your willingness to step into the fight and raise your voice for hope.
Awesome!! Unfortunately I missed it! Is there a replay we can see? I went to the website link you posted but didn’t see a way to replay the program.
Leah, the replay of it was the next morning at 7 a.m. I am getting a tape of it and I’m having it edited down to my interview. Then I’ll post it on my website. I’ll keep you posted.