An Injustice

A few nights ago, I was out to dinner with a friend and observed something that disturbed me. I don't even think that's the right word to use. What I felt was a "righteous anger." As we chatted and laughed, my eyes wandered to the table next to us. It was there that I noticed a young Filipina being "wined & dined" by not just one but two Westerners. As I studied her, I realized that nothing about her was out of place. Her make-up was perfect: not too much, not too little. She was dressed classy, and from someone casually passing by, she appeared to be enjoying herself. But, if you took a second glance, her body language was rigid. She laughed and conversed with them, but the more I studied her, it was apparent that she was just fulfilling her role.

As I took this scene in, I lost my train of thought and sat there for a moment in silence as I regained my bearings. But, unfortunately, what I just described is something that is far too common here. It is something that I have read articles about, watched documentaries on, and even attended educational seminars for, but it does something to you when you observe this injustice firsthand.

As some of you read this, you're probably thinking: "She has a choice. She chose to live that lifestyle and can choose to walk away…" but in reality, she doesn't! Many of the girls that I have just described are from the Provinces (countryside.) They are told about a fantastic opportunity in the city, Manila, serving as a nanny or housemaid, and how they can send money back home to provide for their families. (When I say families, I am referring to their mom, dad, and siblings.) Upon arriving in the city, they realize that they have been deceived and too embarrassed to tell their families back home what their work entails because they give their families a much-needed income. To "escape" this way of life is risky—it could mean losing their lives. Their Madame (who owns the 'escort service' and oversees the pimps) often threatens to harm their families back home or even harm the girl herself if she misbehaves. Did I mention that the young girl could also have a child of her own? It becomes a cycle and an ugly one at that, where the girl begins to lose hope and starts to think that all of this is her fault, but it's not. It's an injustice that occurs daily in hundreds of countries worldwide and thousands of cities…

I don't want to plead with you, but please do not become blind to the injustices around you! They exist everywhere, even in the States—they might be harder to "see." If you want to find out how you can be "their voice" and to stand up to this injustice, please check out the following websites:

International Justice Mission

Unlikely Heroes

Nefarious: Merchant of Souls

The Freedom Project