The Collegian Weekly
DTD?campaign raises needed awareness DTD?campaign
Issue date: 10/1/09 Section: Opinion
Delta Tau Delta fraternity has sponsored a series of events to raise awareness about human trafficking and slavery, which will culminate in a presentation of the documentary "Call + Response" on Nov. 21.
The trailer for the documentary highlights many disturbing facts: There are approximately 27 million slaves in the world right now - more than ever before. There are more than 2.2 million children sold into the sex trade each year. In India, children are cheaper than cattle. Slavery is an industry worth $32 billion a year worldwide.
Inside of our tiny Hillsdale College bubble, it's easy to forget about what goes on outside. Students can become consumed in their own worries about exams, relationships and other woes, that they forget there are other humans bearing much larger burdens out there, and, it is in our power to help them.
We say it's easy to forget because we don't mean to judge. It is easy, and that's why it is a good idea to have someone remind us. Bringing the documentary to students, and publicizing it with previous events, is an excellent way to not only educate students about the problem, but also to facilitate a general awareness for suffering outside of our tiny place on the map in Southern Michigan.
This cause should be particularly important to Hillsdale because it was founded as an abolitionist college and hosted speakers such as Frederick Douglass over a century ago.
While the movement against American slavery may have ended with the Emancipation Proclamation, slavery has not. Many still suffer, and we still have the option to help. At the very least, it is best to stay informed about world issues-especially with an opportunity for education right in our laps.
The trailer for the documentary highlights many disturbing facts: There are approximately 27 million slaves in the world right now - more than ever before. There are more than 2.2 million children sold into the sex trade each year. In India, children are cheaper than cattle. Slavery is an industry worth $32 billion a year worldwide.
Inside of our tiny Hillsdale College bubble, it's easy to forget about what goes on outside. Students can become consumed in their own worries about exams, relationships and other woes, that they forget there are other humans bearing much larger burdens out there, and, it is in our power to help them.
We say it's easy to forget because we don't mean to judge. It is easy, and that's why it is a good idea to have someone remind us. Bringing the documentary to students, and publicizing it with previous events, is an excellent way to not only educate students about the problem, but also to facilitate a general awareness for suffering outside of our tiny place on the map in Southern Michigan.
This cause should be particularly important to Hillsdale because it was founded as an abolitionist college and hosted speakers such as Frederick Douglass over a century ago.
While the movement against American slavery may have ended with the Emancipation Proclamation, slavery has not. Many still suffer, and we still have the option to help. At the very least, it is best to stay informed about world issues-especially with an opportunity for education right in our laps.
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