“Human trafficking,” she said, “that’s my thing,” as if it were a dessert affinity or a favorite dog breed, the selected piggy bank for her charitable thoughts or pennies – this was her proclaimed issue of choice, her thing. The comment struck me: a little scary, impersonal, sterile. A bit uninformed? We hear more and more, don’t we? About taking care to not exploit others’ poverty and desperate existence for the salving of our own consciences. To guard against “buying our way” to a more just world, tossing coins of conscience into the pot of charity as a way to do something and then go about our merry way, quite isolated from the actual lives and people and realities represented. At least, I’ve heard a lot about this lately.
So, how can we be human, followers of Christ, in this world where layers of so-called “safety,” distraction, consumeristic culture (even inside the walls of church) insulate us from the true weather conditions faced by the poor and oppressed – that is , faced by about half of the human beings who work up on planet earth today?
Well, I’m no expert, no anthropological guru who has it figured out in order to share with others. I can share my own experience, though. When I hear mention of “in-laws,” I think of my own, of my family; “job” – I think of what I do for work; “illegal immigrants?” – I think of a Hispanic friend whose story and life are complex. Relationships. Experience. Familiarity. These are things which shape my thoughts and perceptions When I hear, “abused” or “prostitution” or survivor to thriver,” I think of my friends in Bolivia employed at SutiSana. I think of Diedra. Of how I get the biggest smile on my face when I see her. Of the bountiful laughter shared together with her beautiful grandkids last time I was at her house. Of how we both lost our mothers too soon. Of what she made for dinner last time I ate with her (and what a great cook she is.) I think of her resilience, and strength, and of what I’d like to get her for Christmas.
Perhaps spending time with a foreign mission isn’t an option for everyone (or perhaps it is.) But I have found that building relationships with people who are different from me usually is. And this has had a sneaky and subtle effect on me – dismantling the “otherness/different than me” perception of people. It has eaten through the layers which have separated me from folds of different cultures, socioeconomic backgrounds, ethnicities, legal status.
“Human trafficking” can be a statistic, definition, or recipient of my pity or charity. But Deidra, she’s my sister.
Laura Straniero
US Advocate