Mutual Aid

Before and during my bike trip it seemed as if I were the only person who knew anything much about human trafficking.  It was amazing to me how many people didn't even know slavery exists still in the world.  Yet now, especially since publishing the book based on this blog (available here: 27 Million Revolutions for 27 Million Slaves), it's amazing to me how many people that I run into that either know more about the subject or ask me about books or films or shows that feature human trafficking that I have never heard of. 

On one hand, I am embarrassed: shouldn't I, the author of a book on human trafficking, know more about human trafficking than most people?  To some extent I'm not entirely embarrassed, because, as a writer, once you finish a project it's hard to still think about it.  If I were a social justice advocate first and a writer second, then maybe it would be all good, but I'm a writer first who happens to also be super passionate about securing freedom for all, so I still react to the publishing of my book like a writer.  Oh well.

On the other hand, I acknowledge one of the means of fighting human trafficking that I've talked about on this blog and especially in the book: we must help one another.  We cannot ever remain confident in our own self-righteousness and instead receive help from others and encourage each other to read, see, and get involved in new anti-trafficking experiences.  Indeed, it's been a blessing having my book be a catalyst for discussion... to hear how much more other people have already read and thought about slavery than I have.  It encourages me to continue to be active and not let my mostly-normal reaction to publishing 27 Million Revolutions be permanent.  I must get off the couch again to keep my eyes and ears open.  Slavery is still around us, all around me, and just because I published a book that may or may not be helpful to others and to the 27 million slaves out there doesn't mean that I can take a break.  Slavery doesn't take a break and neither can I.

What's also been good about the experience of hearing the knowledge and experiences of others is that I need not feel wholly guilty for taking my mind off of slavery for a little while.  One definition of mutual aid is that we support and encourage one another; yet another definition is that we all work toward freedom so that, if one of us needs to take a break, they can. 

Thank you to all those who have reminded me of the importance of mutual aid in ending slavery.  Thank you, because now I can, after a long hiatus, say: Let's all keep our ears and eyes open, support and encourage one another, discuss the evil of slavery whenever possible, and together we can do great things.