Recognition

Recently I received in the mail an official recognition from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts for my trip and the writing of the book, 27 Million Revolutions for 27 Million Slaves.  Offered by representative Kate Hogan and signed by Speaker of the House, Robert DeLeo, the House of Representatives extends its sincerest thanks for my work.  The recognition caught me by surprise, since I didn't think that the release of my book was all that earth-shattering.  But the recognition (now obviously hanging on a wall in my office) taught me two things.

First, I really need to update this blog.  The pages and links on this website still all refer to my trip two years ago.  It's been less than two years, actually, so I'm not totally guilty, but still the blog is clearly out of date.  A change in my life and a change in purpose for this blog, plus the fact that there is a whole bunch of worthwhile information out there that I should include, dictate to me that I need to change the blog.  An overhaul is necessary.  If people are recognizing me for my work in raising awareness against human trafficking, then I should probably not look so lazy.  My goal for this month is to make those changes.

Second, the little things that we do seeking to end human trafficking, a) do not go unrecognized, and b) do not flame out.  Oftentimes doing good work in social justice areas feels like a thankless task, but there are plenty of people out there who see what we do and are forever grateful for what we do.  To some, publishing a book may seem like a big deal; to me it's not at all (writing is what I do).  So whoever we are we should realize that what we consider to be a small, unrecognizable task, is not a small, unrecognizable task in the eyes of all people; to some people, those tasks will seem like monumental achievements.

Also, whatever good we do seeking to end human trafficking remains forever.  What I mean is that each step we take toward the end of modern slavery has such great influence on others--encouraging them to also work to end slavery--and on the world that that step cannot ever be demolished once we take that step.  We build on what we've done before and need not re-build.  Sometimes we may need to repeat, over and over again, but that doesn't mean that what we have done has not helped make progress or has gone unrecognized.  We can and should take heart knowing that every little thing that we do to help end human trafficking has unending significance.  Unending significance.  Even if you only do one little thing to end slavery, that one little thing will continue to have significance for all time.

Facebook Page

In the interest of gaining wider support for the book, and thus wider support for the ending of human trafficking in our world, I have created a Facebook page for 27 Million Revolutions for 27 Million Slaves.  Go to your Facebook and like the page (facebook.com/27millionrevolutions) to do your part.

And if you haven't already bought the book and gotten the full experience, you can go to Amazon and rectify that situation.  I promise the book is far more insightful, provocative, powerful, and even more funny, than this blog has ever been.  Obviously I wrote the book, but I honestly believe that all of us would be better off if we read 27 Million Revolutions.  Let's all stop being lazy and read a book for a change!

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.