Marie Reflection
In Marie In the Shadow of the Lion, there is a powerful message that I believe should be spread throughout the world. I was not very aware of what goes on in countries like Marie's until reading this novel. I have gained a new perspective on what goes on in different parts of the world and that any person who has a passion to fight against these acts of crime and stand up for the children and families caught in the crossfire, can change these circumstances for them. Just when Marie and Joseph were finally escaping and hope was ignited to its full flame, it burnt out as the rebels caught up with them. That's the saddest part I believe, when they are so close to freedom but never reach it. And it happens every day, every minute and second. Of course Marie was able to escape away from the PLA Camp alive, but she will never be able to leave behind the memories of the nightmare she was living in. The thought that whole families and communities are torn apart so violently should motivate everyone to stop this madness. By getting involved with donating to agencies and supporting the United Nations for humanitarian efforts, or simply making people in your community aware of what's going on, these child soldiers don't have to be alone, we can fight with them through the darkness and bring them into the light. They deserve to have a chance at normal life like every other child on this earth.
Human Trafficking
New Zealand has become a destination site for human trafficking with women coming from Malaysia, People's Republic of China, Hong Kong, and other various Asian countries. Fortunately, there have been no recent reports of foreign trafficking victims. The last report of that type was taken in 2001. There have been varied reports of debt bondage and confiscation of document amongst women in prostitution. Internal trafficking consists mainly of women and children for commercial sexual exploitation. In 2004, an estimated amount of 200 persons under the age of 18 were working in prostitution, according to New Zealand's Prostitution Law Review Committee. Currently, the New Zealand government has passed several laws to combat the issue of human trafficking. Some of these laws include the Prostitution Reform Act, and Part 5 of the 1961 Crimes Act. Any person caught committing commercial sexual exploitation can be sentenced up to 20 years in prison. Recommended by the U.S. government, they are even developing a National Plan of Action to increase aware among the public and gain valuable support. Even today, New Zealand is taking steps towards fighting this issue. For example, the New Zealand government has been providing medical service, witness protection, short term shelter, and repatriation assistance to victims. And even still, The New Zealand International Aid and Development Agency has been funding anti-trafficking activities in the victims' original countries of origin.
Super Bowl
Across the United States, it happens at almost every major sports event. Over the years, human trafficking and prostitution exploitation has increased with young girls, and is difficult to combat against. Police and other authorities have tried sting operations and making more amounts of patrolling during the Super Bowl week, but not enough of the general population knows about this problem. I myself was surprised, unaware that child prostitution is booming within our own country. Beforehand, I had only thought this occurs in foreign countries. But during these major sporting events, pimps see these as a major business opportunity. Now is the time to stand up and say that enough is enough. These are our children of America, and they are not criminals, they need help. Traffick911 is a anti-child prostitution advocacy group, promoting awareness of this troubling situation. This group is trying to do as much as possible, whether its placing Traffick911 coasters in a bar, or having NFL players speaking on their television ads. Please, spread the word. As a personal choice, I will try to shed as much light on this issue as I can.
If you haven't yet, promote awareness to anyone you can. Please visit http://www.traffick911.com/.
Poverty in the Americas
Cincinnati, Ohio and Paraguay in South America are millions of miles apart. But you might be surprised they have something in common. Despite distance, both places face the harsh burden of poverty. In Cincinnati, nearly half of its children are facing this issue, at 48%. Poverty rates in this city are at a record high, not seen since 1993. Unfortunately, 3 out of every 4 kids in the Cincinnati Public School System depend on their free or reduced-lunch program. And if you were to take a look around there neighborhoods, you can see people walking or taking the bus, because it is difficult to pay for personal transportation. Church programs donate food doorstep to doorstep. Homeless citizens walk the streets or sleep on benches, not knowing when they will eat again. These are some other characteristics that outline this severe issue of poverty.
In Paraguay, poverty is also present and can be seen in many ways. Their economy for example, has actually been decreasing over time. And with hegemony ever prevalent in their government, it is difficult for Paraguay's poverty to lessen. Yes, an open economy with low tariffs is present. But it is not enough to bring them to the surface of the drowning burden. The government has provided no welfare system for its people. Some recommendations from http://web.worldbank.org/ are that Paraguay needs a more sound macroeconomic framework, and must focus more on developing targeted programs to benefit the poor, rather then generalized subsidy programs.
My 9/11
On September 11, 2001, the world was forever changed both physically and mentally. My memory of the 9/11 attacks was not particularly clear, because it was so long ago. I must have been in about 4th grade when it happened. My geography teacher was in the middle of lecturing the class when another teacher came in and whispered something quickly to her. I couldn't hear what was said, but panic flashed across my teacher's face. She ran to turn on the television..and I saw these huge bellowing smoke stacks coming from skyscrapers in what looked like New York City. I had no idea what the World Trade Center was at the time, so I did not understand why my teacher was crying. It all seemed like an accident until the second plane came. I heard "This is a terrorist act!" from the news reporter. We didn't understand the severity of the situation but could definitely feel that something was wrong. All in all, our teacher explained to us that what had occurred was an act of terrorism, and that many family members of the people in those buildings were scared for their loved ones. I don't remember much after that, if we had continued on with class or had been moved to a different room. Today, I understand thoroughly what had happened. The attacks have not affected me personally, because I did not have any loved ones who perished on that horrific day. But in retrospect, I do take it personally. Because it was a ruthless attack on America, the country I love, and the innocent people whose lives were lost. I hope that someday we can bring Al-Qaeda down. What they did has affected the way we live, and national security is at an all time high and will probably stay that way forever. We can only move on and remember the ones we lost.
