Modern Day Slaves... Not Enough Outrage

I've seen a lot of crazy things this year...

I'm sure that you too have seen the chaos that is America's "current administration" so you know EXACTLY what I mean when I say A LOT!

But I never thought, not for a second, that I'd see the words slave trade anywhere else besides in History books. Think about this, we are literally witnessing MODERN DAY SLAVERY in our time.

Not sure what I'm talking about? Haven't seen the news? Scrolled past the articles on your timeline? Here's what's going on in a nutshell...

CNN released a shocking video a few weeks ago of human beings being sold to the highest bidder. Upon further investigation, what they found was staggering. Here's the clip below:

Smugglers in Libya are auctioning migrants off as slaves. At a property outside Tripoli, CNN witnessed a dozen men go under the hammer in the space of minutes.

Source: CNN

These men and women used up all their money and resources, fled poverty and war in their respective countries, and journeyed to Libya in the hope of gaining passage to Europe for a better future. Only to find themselves stuck with smugglers in a lawless land who, due to the Libyan Coast Guard's crack down on the smuggling of refugees by sea, were faced with an influx of refugees and nowhere to house them. Instead of better future, they find themselves captured, beaten, raped, murdered, bartered and ransomed. Their hope for refuge in a better place is now dashed by people who see them only as "merchandise", a mere means to a greedy, corrupt and despicable end.

Lenard Doyle, Director of Media and Communications for the International Organization for Migration (IOM) in Geneva gave a statement to TIME Magazine saying, “It’s a total extortion machine...fueled by the absolute rush of migrants through Libya thinking they can get out of poverty, following a dream that doesn’t exist.”

Dream or otherwise, once the news hit, I was pleased with the international response that erupted after CNN released the footage. Leaders from Africa and the UN are moving to action (some may argue a bit too slowly but that's for another day). I was even more pleased to see my little island home, Jamaica, making a point to condemn slave trading. According to an article in the Jamaica Observer, Jamaica's Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Senator Kamina Johnson Smith said the following: “This human indignity is unreservedly and entirely condemned by the Government and we commit to working with the international community to curtail this despicable trade in human beings, wherever it occurs across the world,”

The situation in Libya and the Mediterranean Sea: Fair warning, some of these images are graphic and disturbing. Viewer discretion is advised

Several celebrities around the world such as Nigerian actress Caroline Danjuma, T.I., Tessa Thompson, Naomi Campbell, Cardi B, and many others, have also taken to social media to speak against slavery and demand for action to rectify the situation in Libya. But this is just the beginning!

Worldwide Humanitarian Crisis

40 MILLION PEOPLE IN 2017!!

I want you to sit and let that marinate for a bit. As the image above shows, Libya is not where this all ends. This most certainly isn't something new, so why is it that we are just now talking about this? Asia and the Pacific alone has an estimated 25 million slaves. So yes, there is outrage...but not enough. Yes, there is action...but not enough. Yes, there is growing global awareness...but not enough!

This CANNOT be another trending topic! This CANNOT be something that we climb on for likes and attention! This CANNOT be another show of "slack-tivism" where we come up for a moment under a united front for human rights, only to descend back into the depths of our obsession with celebrities, snapchat filters, the latest memes and empty social media challenges! This is modern day slavery in our time and we must, we have to, do something about this.

So What Can we do?

Bustle released an amazing article that listed things that we can actively do to assist with the efforts to stop slave trade in Libya and other countries around the world. These steps may seem minute to you, but if enough of us band together this could make a world of a difference in the life of a man or woman affected by these horrific acts.

Here's how we can help:

<> Make Sure The U.N. Focuses Its Efforts On This Issue

Continue to put pressure on the US and the UN to stay on top of the investigations in Libya. That means talking about it, posting about it, writing emails or letters to leaders, protesting, signing petitions, make a song about it if you've got that type of talent. The best way to keep them accountable is to keep it at the forefront of their minds.

<> Support The International Organization For Migration (IOM)

Their website states that "IOM is dedicated to promoting humane and orderly migration for the benefit of all. It does so by providing services and advice to governments and migrants." This organization is currently working in Libya to protect the human rights of migrants from smugglers and the detention centers that mistreat and abuse them.

<> Fight The "Root Causes" Of Slavery And Trafficking

Poverty is believed to be one of the root causes of slavery and trafficking. You can provide aid to refugees by donating to organizations such as, United Nations Refugee Agency, World Food Programs, Save the Children , and the like. No matter how large or small the amount, every bit of support for the cause helps. Our donations and support can be our contribution to the fight to end slavery.

<> Contact Social Media Companies

IOM states that, smugglers have previously used Facebook Live to broadcast videos of imprisoned migrants in Libya. They have also used the platform to demand a ransom from their families in return for their release. We need to write to these Social Media companies and hold them accountable for policing this kind of content, as well as, report whenever we come across such images or videos.

<> Donate To Global Anti-Slavery Organizations

As I mentioned earlier, there are over 40 Million people who are currently enslaved in various parts of the world. Our assistance is needed, not just in efforts to end the slave trade in Libya, but also in the efforts to stopping slave trade worldwide. We can do our part by donating to organizations such as Free the Slaves, End Slavery Now , and the Polaris Project .

<> Raise Awareness

Your social media presence can also be a big help. Within your circle and your network you can spread the word about this issue. Get people talking about it, share the posts, the articles and the educational videos. Follow and promote the organizations that are working to eradicate the slave trade in Libya and other parts of the world. Your platform is right at your fingertips so use it to help make tangible change!

<> Shop Slave-Free

Unfortunately, modern day slavery takes on many forms. It can look like the slave trade in Libya, where men and women are being sold as prostitutes or labourers. Or according to Bustle, slave labour is used to produce commercial products. We can do our part by not purchasing from entities that use slave labour in their supply chains. Follow this link to view the slave-free shopping guide from the End Slavery Now website for more insight on the companies to support and the certifications to look out for when we shop.

Of all the things I thought I would see in my lifetime, Slavery was not one of them. As a community of color we have to ACT NOW! We have to stop history from repeating itself by doing our part to actively condemn slave trade in Libya and worldwide. If one person, whether here in the US or anywhere in the world, is enslaved then that is one too many. Our voices are our platform and our words are our forum to effect tangible change!