Global Statics show that there are over 40.3 million men , women, and children who are victims of modern day slavery world wide. Two weeks ago footage from the slave trade in Libya went viral and has brought awareness to this atrocity. The widespread outrage from the world has caused officials and the United Nations to further investigate this criminal matter. There's footage of hundreds of people on boats stuck in the Mediterranean Sea. Thousands have died trying to escape and few rescue boats are being sent. The harsh reality that this slave trade is real and has been going on for years is not only heart breaking and mind boggling , but it leaves you in a place wondering how can you help ? Hearing these three words "I was sold" just brings about unexplainable emotion. The images that were seeing today look similar to pictures of the past. Your heart doesn't want to believe that what your seeing is actually happening.
In some cases parents sell children due to lack of financial stability. In other cases people are promised education, money, or a better life and none of it is true. Its all a ploy to capture more slaves and use them for labor, sex, drug mules, and other cruel reasons. Girls, women, and children are constantly sold , abused, and kept in terrible conditions . In some cases males are castrated and women are mutilated. Its overall sickening and unbelievable. European Countries are trying to block Libyan citizens from entering the country and are policing the waters. Those that are captured are detained in inhumane detention centers. The victims feel that if they leave Libya they can escape being beaten , raped, killed or sold again. This is no way for people to live. Families are torn apart . This is not fake, this is indeed very real. Forced labor , human trafficking , mass incarceration and forced marriages are all forms of slavery. It is reported that there are more female slaves than males and one in four victims are children. Although there are slaves all around the world, the statistics in Africa are the highest. You can find out more about the statistics on www.alliance87.org. You can help by continuing to raise awareness, donate, support relief efforts, pray and visit www.aidforafrica.org , www.who.int and Buzzfeed whom has listed more ways to help. This issue can not just get swept under the rug. Celebrities and people from across the globe have shared their thoughts about the slave trade on social media . Continue to research and share information that you come across. We can't forget about them. Some of the footage below is hard to watch, but its even harder for them to live through.
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“The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.” - Dr.Martin Luther King Jr
After watching Meek Mill's new video "Young Black America" and "The O.J Story" along with the Footnotes by Jay Z I decided to write this article. I've always been very open about my feelings about racism and the mistreatment of blacks here in America. Recently I saw a video of a black man being attacked by a K-9 regardless of the reason he was being arrested, he was handcuffed, not fighting back , on the ground and the dog was still biting him. The officer had no control over the dog at all. It made me think of the black and white Civil Rights videos I saw growing up when the dogs were attacking black people for no reason. There are so many videos of blacks being mistreated, and hashtags of victims who have been murdered by police it's beyond heart breaking . Recently in the case of the murder of Philando Castile the cop was acquitted. A murder was live streamed and there was no punishment , that is a tragedy and its sickening and continues the injustice here in America. We wait for justice and it doesn't happen. Poverty, unemployment, drugs, the school system lacking funds and credible teachers to educate students, single parent house-holds, little to no community funding, continue to create problems in communities nation wide . There are so many issues that one faces growing up dealing with these issues and some people go on to be great leaders and game changers and inspire others from the neighborhood. This only goes to show that your surroundings can either build you up, break you, or make you stronger. There is a problem here in America where black men report that their job told them "The microwave and water fountain were for white only". Sad right? Racism is still alive! Let me make this clear as I have plenty of times before there is good and bad in all people including cops. It doesn't matter what race you are, if you're a good person or a bad person it shows through your heart , actions, and character. However, if your bad it shows too. The mass incarceration of black males is modern day slavery. Did you know in 2016 black males were still picking cotton at the Louisiana State Prison known as "Angola"(the country in Africa, from which many of the enslaved Africans came who worked on the former plantation that occupied this territory). Some prisoners get paid as little as two cents an hour. The more we come together, build up ourselves and the communities the better we can be. Do not give up on yourselves. The stories that I've seen and heard from black males, my heart hurts for them. The fact that they feel as Michael B Jordan says " Being black in America is being in a tiny compressed box sinking in the bottom of the ocean with 10,000 pounds of pressure on you at all times". Listening to Marsha Ali say " The difference between black men and white men is black men move through the world playing defense". Keep these black males prayed up and uplifted. I put this Young Black America playlist together with songs from black hip hop artist whom are telling their stories, views, and experiences through music. I've also included some videos I think are important and should be viewed. No matter what we are all strong , we all face difficulty (males and females) but we have to face it and continue to push for greatness because Black Excellence is real. |
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