Human Trafficking is real, is in your area, and we all need to do our part to stop it.
When I first heard about the movie Priceless, I was skeptical. So many Christian movies that come out are low-budget and/or poorly directed/acted, etc. I always appreciate their efforts to put forth God-honoring media and edifying messages, but as far as entertainment value, or believability, they tend to flop. So, I really didn’t know what to expect when I went to see Priceless, especially when I found out that much of the work in production of the movie was done by the members of the Christian band For King and Country. What would a couple of singers know about making a movie?
There were really two reasons I ended up actually going to see it:
- It was a free showing. Can’t say no to free, right?
- It was about human/sex trafficking. This topic has been piquing our interest more and more lately, which I’ll go into more after the review.
So How Was It?
It would have been a little better if I had cash on me so I could buy some of the snacks they were selling! In all seriousness, though, the movie was very good. The quality was much better than I expected, to the point where I would choose to watch this movie again rather that watch many of the new releases coming out these days. Granted, I wouldn’t watch a majority of them anyway due to their terrible content. Still, this was, as I said, very good, and I would definitely go see it again, assuming I’m in the mood for something dramatic.
It was very emotional, and while it wasn’t graphic, it made it very obvious that human trafficking is a very real, and a very very terrible thing. It also demonstrated that there is something that we, everyone, can do to start bringing this injustice to rest.
What Can We Do?
This is a question I asked over a year ago, and I didn’t have an answer for it. I asked that question so long ago (probably around 2 years ago honestly… I can’t keep track of time anymore) because I watched Nefarious, which is a documentary about human trafficking. That movie hit me really hard as well, and I wanted to do something about it. How could I witness those atrocities and just walk away to live my life as usual? I didn’t want to, but I didn’t know what to do.
But now there are plenty of things to do. Here’s a list of things that everyone can do:
- Learn More: There are plenty of organizations out there that are trying to spread the word and educate people on this subject. Make it easy on them by seeking them out. Some organizations just in our state are the Damascus Road Project and the I-94 Project. They’ll teach you the signs of someone being trafficked, and make you more aware of what’s happening right around you.
- Get Involved: Lend your time and/or money to organizations that are trying to help the situation.
- Report It: If you see something that you think might be an instance of human trafficking, call 911 or the national trafficking hotline at 1-888-3737-888.
Besides these things, Kaylin and I now have something else that we can do to help this problem. It’s reach is limited, but where it reaches, it’s making a very large impact and completely changing the communities it affects.
The way we are helping is by partnering with Better Way Imports (this links to the information website; use the link below for the store). This company helps bring awareness to the travesty of human trafficking and employs women who have been rescued out of the sex trade they have been forced into. They sell gorgeous fair trade products hand-made by the women they rescue. These businesses hire women out of the nearby red light districts, teaching them how to craft these items and offering them a “better way” to live.
You can help us in our endeavor in 1 (or more) of these three ways:
- Buy the merchandise these women made through the Better Way online store. This will directly support the companies and the women those companies are freeing. As representatives of Better Way Imports, it also helps support us and enable us to spread the word. (You must be in the United States to order)
- Host a Party for us. If you’re in the Midwest region (particularly in Wisconsin or one of the neighboring states), we may drive out to you and run a Better Way Party in your home if you’re willing to invite as many people as you can to hear it. If you’re outside that region, then we may still consider coming out there if we’re able, but if not, we will host an online party via Facebook.
- Become a Freedom Fighter: Freedom Fighter is the term given to the people who advocate for Better Way to spread the word and sell the products (it’s what we are). BWI’s definition of a Freedom Fighter is “A modern-day abolitionist who helps women find a better way of life. Presents at Awareness Events, shares the stories of hope, and sells beautiful items to others.”
Whatever you do, don’t do nothing. Don’t read this and walk away, going back to your normal routine. Horrible atrocities are happening constantly, and we can’t just turn our back on them. Show these women their true value: Priceless in God’s eyes.