The Road of Lost Innocence

I haven't had the chance to get wifi in South Africa until today so I am posting now what I wrote a week ago on the plane. Enjoy! 

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I am currently mid-air, flying over the Atlantic on my way to South Africa. I’m not sure what time it is nor what time zone I am in. I haven’t stopped reading since I boarded the plane. Bits of prepared couscous dissolve in my mouth as I read the last few pages of Somaly Mam’s memoir, The Road of Lost Innocence. Part of me feels guilty even eating after reading the atrocities women in Cambodia have endured and continuously endure in the sex industry.

I remember Mam notes in one part of her book how she was shocked by the over indulgent meals of the French. The skin of the fish that her hosts tossed in the garbage could feed a whole family in Cambodia. Then I remembered the old saying my parent’s uttered when I didn’t eat my meal: “Finish the food on your plate. Children across the world are starving.” I always thought that saying was stupid. I was hundreds and thousands of miles from the children that needed it. What did it matter if I didn’t finish my food? But Mam made me realize there was more to that guilt-tripping adage. The saying wasn’t about shipping my leftovers to starving children in Africa; the saying was about awareness—awareness of a reality beyond my own. A reality that should have called me to action, should have shocked me rather than been passed off as a trite expression. Children across the world were starving. Not only for food, but for help.  

When I think of this expression today, I revert back to thinking without thinking, characterized by thoughts without meaning floating through one ear and out the other or evaporating upon entry to the brain. I don’t think too hard about what that must mean—to be starving—because to fully internalize that injustice, requires taking on responsibility. And it is easier to be ignorant than carry the weight of “other people’s problems” on your back knowing you have the power to do something about them. We may not be able to right every wrong in the world, at least right now, but we have a responsibility to advocate for and fight for change when injustice is served and we are aware of it.

I often contemplated growing up, why I was born in such a privileged time period. Why in my mother’s day, segregation was still a part of her Augustan lifestyle. Why my grandpa was banned from the lake by a sign declaring, “no Jews and no dogs allowed”. How had I missed those few generations that stood between the Holocaust and me? How I had gotten democracy and America and love and education? We could all question ourselves a million times over. Yet, in the end, we have no control over the circumstances we are born into, just as the girls enslaved in brothels in Southeast Asia and throughout the world. However, with each situation, we must use what has been dealt to us to build a better future.

Somaly Mam was born to a country where women were viewed as less than. Whether in the home or in the brothel, women were owned by husbands, pimps, family members. They were taught to be silent and submit. Money could buy girls freedom, but it could also buy brothel owners their way out of court. Somaly Mam risked her life to free herself from the brothels and return to save others like her. She was dealt a difficult set of cards. Yet she used them to reinvent her world. Cambodia and its culture towards women are changing. The world is changing too in response to Mam’s courageous efforts to let her voice and those of all Cambodian girls be heard.

Somaly’s memoir gave me a face and a story to place with those “children starving across the world”. She has taught me that I must not take the freedoms I enjoy lightly. She has taught me that I am privileged only by a matter of luck. Any one of us could have been Somaly Mam, Kaseng, Kolap, Sokhan, or Tom Dy. Any one of us could have been dealt a different set of cards. But most importantly, she has taught me not to feel guilty for having what others may lack. Rather, see my privileges as an opportunity. I have been given a gift that is allowing me to give voice to those that cannot speak for themselves. For all the girls enslaved across the world, I am using my freedom to fight for theirs. I am in debt to them. We are all in debt to the injustice in this world. Innate fortune does not make us above it—innate fortune makes us responsible.

If you are reading this blog, you have opened the door to responsibility. Now you must decide if you will walk through, shed your ignorance and become accountable to the world in which we live. The choice is yours.

The Risk of Running Away

In light of my previous post sharing 13-year-old Selena's story, I thought I would share this image that speaks to Selena's vulnerability as a runaway. This picture has been taken from the Facebook page of Nomad Truckers Against Child Trafficking.

"Selling the Girl Next Door" Documentary

I watched this documentary about a month ago created by Amber Lyon, a journalist and reporter who uses her profession to fight for human rights. The film is titled "Selling the Girl Next Door" and addresses the issue of human trafficking in the United States. Lyon follows the story of 13-year-old Selena, who was trafficked at the age of 12. While Selena was rescued by police after being found inside a casino, she is locked up in a juvenile detention center seeming more like a criminal than a victim. Lyon reveals the complexity of human trafficking and debunks the myth that girls on street corners or in online ads are selling themselves of free will. She also helps us to understand the nature of human trafficking in the United States and how pimps manipulate underage girls to join the trade.

Selena's story represents that of many girls. At a young age, she ran away from her home in the suburbs of Nevada to the Las Vegas strip. It was there that a pimp targeted her on the street asking if she needed a lift home. The pimp formed a relationship with her using his charm to reel her in. After earning Selena's trust, the pimp then used his power over her to manipulate her and force her into the sex industry. Selena expresses that "even the littlest things" could have gotten her killed if she tried to leave.

I think it is difficult for people to realize that the abuses and tactics of pimps are strategic and thought out. They know what type of girl to target and they know just the way to make her feel safe upon initial contact. Pimps often promise girls of a better life and new beginnings if they come along for the ride. Pimps play upon the insecurities and naivety of their underage victims to enslave them for their own profit.

While Selena is lucky to be out of the hands of her pimp, she expresses discontent towards her current situation as well. She goes from being "locked up" in the sex industry to being "locked up" in the juvenile detention center. Witnessing the living conditions of the girls in the juvenile facility makes me sick. After hearing a lecture from Joan Gillece of SAMHSA National Center for Trauma Informed Care, I have learned that the living conditions for these girls only reinforces the trauma they have experienced in the sex industry. They are going from prisoner to prisoner. They are wiped of their identity and individuality as they are all given the same color clothing and restrained with chains to their sides. They are being seen and treated as criminals at the age of 13 for a situation out of their control. I would imagine the belly chains preventing them from being physically free, would only reinforce the girls' feelings of defenselessness and objectivity. They have left one form of enslavement only to reach another form.

I believe these girls would be more able to grow out of their current condition if they were being treated in a loving and nourishing way. They should be provided with services and resources for hope and change. Something as simple as painting the walls of the building with fun and friendly colors or murals could change the atmosphere and make the girls feel safe rather than at fault. If these girls were recognized and honored as victims and treated with proper care, they could be empowered to change the course of their lives. This is another reason why the Safe Harbor Law is so crucial. The law recognizes underage girls involved in human trafficking as victims rather than criminals and provides them with the proper services to get back on their feet. These girls need love, trust and healing to bring them out of the darkness.

Not only does Lyon address the story of victims, she also brings to light the men who buy sex from underage women online. She reveals that there is no stereotype for the kind of man who orders sex online. From construction workers to computer technicians, from married to unmarried, from 20 year-olds to 70 year-olds, men are buying into the sex trade. And many do not question the age of their clients even though they do suspect they are underage.

The online community appears to be the new source of revenue for the sex industry. Pimps sell ads of underage girls on websites such as the infamous backpage.com. They use code words such as "young" and "fresh" to hint that the girl in the ad is underage even though her ad makes her appear older. Lyon puts up an ad portraying herself as an underage girl to show how easy it is to be trafficked and how high the demand is for young girls online. Within minutes, she receives and influx of phone calls from interested men who want her regardless of her age. A pimp even goes as far as to fly Lyon out to North Carolina as an underage girl and put her up in a hotel to traffic her. She backs out of the deal before it goes too far.

Lyon's near experience in the sex trade and her dialogue with girls who have lived through it all reveal just how important this issue truly is. While many may think human trafficking is a problem overseas, it is actually happening in our own backyards. Become aware of your surroundings. Report suspicious behavior. Join the fight to make our world a safer and more humane place.

Woman of the Week: Somaly Mam

I was finally able to complete the portrait of Somaly Mam. I only had a few minor touch ups to make, but here she is more radiant than ever.

Final Portrait: Somaly Mam

 The most exciting part about painting each women is the transition from sketching them in pencil to completing them in full color. Here is the outline I made of Somaly Mam before I painted her:

From the sketch, it was hard for me to tell what the final product was going to look like. I was afraid I wouldn't be able to do her justice. However, beginning with the eyes, I worked the brush around her face and it wasn't long until I began to see Somaly Mam peeking through the black and white. 

There is always a moment I have while painting when I feel the presence of the woman I am portraying with me in the room. Within a few minutes, I see her come to life on the page, and with each stroke, she grows more strongly into the woman I admire. Upon completion, I feel as if I have formed a personal connection with each woman and gotten to know her better just through the process. Here is the moment when I saw Mam come alive in my artwork: 

With her nose poking out of the page and her one eye squinting, Mam seemed as if she was right in front of me. Somaly Mam is an amazing woman who lights up a room with her contagious smile and warmth. Painting her was a beautiful and meaningful process. 

For more information on Somaly Mam, please see my previous post titled "Somaly Mam". 

Hangout with Somaly Mam, Rachel Lloyd and Nicholas Kristof

    This past Thursday I participated in a google hangout with Nicholas Kristof, Somaly Mam and Rachel Lloyd on the topic of sex trafficking and modern day slavery. All three speakers are experienced and extremely knowledgeable in the field of women's issues worldwide. Nicholas Kristof is one of the authors of Half the Sky and is a cutting edge reporter for the New York Times that has brought to light many issues including maternal health, human trafficking, and women's education. He is dedicated to this cause and speaks eloquently and accurately of the issues regarding women and how to go about resolving them. He is realistic in his vision and puts his own life on the line in order to help the international community. If I were to feature a portrait of a man on my blog, Nicholas Kristof would be the first portrait to go up. I am truly inspired by his work and fearlessness in the fight for social justice.

  While the google hangout was public and the speakers could not see me, it was amazing to welcome the participants into my living room. I truly felt a part of the fight and the campaign towards justice. It was amazing to hear from Somaly Mam and meet her on a more personal level. To read about her story, you can look at my previous post titled "Somaly Mam". The google hangout was effective in bringing the speakers face to face with the population of advocates they have inspired. The heroes that I had previously idolized from an outside perspective became friends and partners in my journey towards freedom. Hearing from Somaly Mam directly, I realized that she is more than the organization she runs and the work she has accomplished. Her background and pain as a victim of human trafficking will forever be with her and propels her to move forward and help others. I was reminded of how human she is by her humility. Despite her success, Somaly Mam is honest about her weaknesses and the struggle of moving forward from a dark past. She made me realize that as a human being, Somaly and I are no different. While our age, experiences and current activities may vary, our potential as human beings are the same. I am further encouraged that I can make waves for women worldwide as she has done.

    Rachel Lloyd was the one participant I did not know coming into the google hangout. However, I am grateful I was able to meet her and hear from her face to face because unknowingly, I had purchased her book Girls Like Us online for further reading. At 13 years of age, Lloyd fell victim to sex trafficking. In 1997, at 22 years of age, she emigrated to the United States turning her life around providing help to women in the sex industry. In 1998, Lloyd started Girls Education and Mentoring Services (GEMS) in New York to empower girls and support victims of sex trafficking in America. Lloyd's insight on ways to help girls and women susceptible to human trafficking provided me with a new prospective on the fight for freedom. While rescuing girls in the middle of the night from the streets or from brothels sounds appealing and exciting, mentoring girls and supporting women in the community in which we live can actually be more beneficial. She highlights mentoring and tutoring programs, and how helping a girl graduate high school can save her life. By looking at and mediating the risk factors threatening women, we can help stifle sexual slavery. Fighting poverty at home, providing role models and mentors to young girls, encouraging schooling in impoverished places can all help reduce the risk of human trafficking at home. The efforts of teachers, coaches, doctors, social workers, religious leaders etc. all have the opportunity to impact girls in a positive way that can provide them with a better future. No matter what our profession, we can help end modern slavery by being of service to our communities and forming a safer and more healthy environment for our most vulnerable inhabitants. Lloyd made me realize that wherever we go in life, we can make a positive impact.

    I have provided the video of the google hangout for those who wish to see it themselves. If you are new to this cause, I hope this plants a seed in your mind and heart that will grow and encourage you to join the fight. Know that you matter and that your actions matter. We are all connected and what we do can save lives. Enjoy!

Highlight: The Brave Collection

Above is a picture of my recent purchase from The Brave Collection. The letters on the bracelet spell "Klahan", which in "Khmer" (the Cambodian language) means "Brave". Each bracelet sold goes towards supporting local artisans in Cambodia, as well as providing for their health care and child care. The bracelets offer Cambodians an opportunity to work in a safe environment while engaging in meaningful work. Profits go towards training at risk youth in the area as well as supporting the local culture. A portion of the cost of the bracelet is also given to a non-profit such as the Somaly Mam Foundation aimed at stopping modern day slavery.

Jessica Hendricks is the designer of the bracelets and maker of the Brave Collection. She became inspired after her exposure to the horrors of human trafficking during a trip to Cambodia. Three years and another trip to Cambodia later, Hendricks returned to America with the Brave Collection in mind. In a way, Hendricks is also using art to make a change. It is incredible all she has been able to accomplish so far. I love wearing this bracelet and I am proud to be supporting Cambodia. The bracelet on my wrist serves as a constant reminder to never give up the fight for freedom. We will be brave and we will persevere on this journey towards a more just world.

Somaly Mam

Unfinished portrait of Somaly Mam

I first heard of Somaly Mam after reading about her life in Half the Sky. Just yesterday, I ordered her book on Amazon titled, The Road of Lost Innocence. The work is Mam's autobiography revealing the struggle of a Cambodian girl sold into slavery. At the age of fifteen, Mam was sold to a brothel and forced to have sex with the customers. After enduring the harsh conditions within the sex industry, Mam ran away with a client. Believing he would provide her with a better life, Mam only found herself resold and later returned to her original brothel. Mam eventually met Pierre, a French man who came to Cambodia on business. He was a customer of Mam's and soon freed her from the oppressive life in the brothel. They married shortly after. 

While Mam no longer was in debt to her brothel owners, she felt forever in debt to the girls whom she could not save, to all those she left behind and to all those whose slavery was yet to come. Mam rescued girls by bringing them into her own home. Yet, soon the numbers were too big for her to accommodate them and AFESIP (Acting for Women in Distressing Situations) was born. Mam built a home for the girls where they could learn a trade, acquire services and start new lives. Despite death threats and attempts against her life and those of her family, Somaly persevered in building homes for victims of sexual slavery beyond the borders of Cambodia. The Somaly Mam Foundation based in America was created to garner American support. 

Somaly Mam’s past propels her forward. Mam is making changes in Cambodia to end the corruption that stole away her innocence. She has committed herself to breaking up illegal brothels, freeing children from human trafficking, and in doing so, she has helped thousands of women to safety providing them with hope for a better life.

Reading about Samaly Mam is one thing. However, seeing her in action in the film "Half the Sky" is breathtaking. She is tough against her aggressors and will fight tirelessly for what she believes in. She braves dangerous situations to bring about justice in Cambodia. Yet the side of her that resonates with me the most, is her ability to act as a mother, friend and guardian to thousands of children. The children flock to her and see her as a source of comfort. Somaly Mam's radiating smile truly emanates the warmth that lives within her soul. I chose to paint a picture of Mam that shows this smile to share its beauty. She is an amazing woman who I truly admire. One day, I would love to travel to Cambodia to meet her.

On Her Way to Recovery

Source: The New York Times

Malala Yousafzai was released today from a hospital in England. She will continue with rehab and will be treated as an outpatient. It is a miracle that she maintained such minimal damage from a gun shot wound to the head. Malala's hospital stay lasted 82 days and today, she walked out hand in hand with a hospital employee, waving bye to those at the front desk. She is an amazing example of courage and resilience. She has given hope to women across the world to fight for what they believe in and what they deserve.

Woman of the Week: Malala Yousafzai

Final Portrait of Malala Yousafzai

I have decided that the best way to go about keeping up with my blog is to pick 1 woman per week to display on my site. This week I choose Malala Yousafzai. Next week...I am not sure yet. If you have suggestions, please feel free to comment. I have about three more weeks before I head to South Africa on a study abroad program, so hopefully I can get the ball rolling before I am off for my 19 hour flight. 

Fighting for Women's Education

I don’t mind if I have to sit on the floor at school. 

All I want is education. And I am afraid of no one. -Malala Yousafzai

For my first sketch, I chose to portray Malala Yousafzai. Malala is a 15 year-old Pakistani girl who was targeted by the Taliban for advocating for education for women in her country. On October 9, 2012, Malala was shot in the head by members of the Taliban to deter her and other women from future attempts to change their status in society. Malala survived the attack and continues to fight.

When my portrait is done, I hope it can emanate some of the beauty that Malala Yousafzai has brought to the world.

Time to Act

This is my fourth attempt at a blog. I composed my first blog three years ago in an effort to organize my thoughts in a comedic and meaningful way. However, due to laziness I discontinued my work. My two followers were greatly disappointed, but my mother and older sister soon got over it.

My next blog was inspired by a Shabbat dinner (a dinner on Friday night beginning the Jewish day of rest) between a group of my Jewish friends at school and Austrian and German non-Jewish foreign exchange students. We discussed the Holocaust and the presence of Neo-Nazi parties still in existence across the world. I went home that night filled with passion for change. I spent hours online researching hate groups and neo-nazis. I read their platforms, tracked news articles and saw pictures of veteran Nazis showing off memorabilia from the war still wishing Hitler had prevailed. I was heated and disgusted and scared, and with those feelings, my next blog was born. And a few days later it was put to rest.

The third blog I attempted to create was a food blog to keep my recipes while I explored cooking in my new apartment at school. I had three posts until school work kicked in and I didn't have time for elaborate meals.

The problem I have is a passion misdirected, in desperate need of guidance that wants to save the world but does not know how. My journey to write for what I believed in began selfishly with my own trivial matters taking the forefront of discussion. My next blog was filled with passion, but had little direction. My third blog diminished because I lost motivation and time. So this time, I want to change. With the new year, I want to commit myself to creating an online space for innovative thinking and social change. I want to give it time when I have no time. I want to stay passionate, committed and dedicated. This is the beginning of my concrete journey to repair the world.

So, where do I begin?

I am beginning with women.

Inspired by Half the Sky, both documentary and film, I have decided to create a space to do my own advocating for the women of the world. This is a cause that has ignited something within me that has yet to wane. Surprised by my own ignorance to oppression against women, I want to take a stand. I want to spread awareness. I want to save people. Providing women with better lives and opportunities helps more than just individuals. Saving women can save families, save communities, and I believe can save the world.

I have created this blog as a means to share my artwork as I make a collection of women who have and are making a difference across the world. Alongside their portraits, I will share the story of their fight for justice.

Please follow as an opportunity to become involved in the fight for freedom for women worldwide.