Human Trafficking by Kim Kubal
Why do we call ourselves mankind, when there is no kindness left? If we were kind to mother earth, and all that is, then we would be taking care not only of ourselves, but of the earth and all that encompasses it. I believe we are all one and connected, and what we do to each other, by thought, word and deed we also do to our planet. Unless we raise the consciousness of the human race, we will lose our planet.
Yet, we must face the facts of the impact our choices may have on the lives of others. Whether we know it or not, we consume goods and services that are very likely to have some connection to a trafficked person. Human trafficking is defined by The United Nations as the “recruitment, transportation, harboring or receipt of persons by means of force, fraud or coercion.” Traffickers have no bias. They will steal and abuse women, men, or children of any color or creed — all for profit in a trade that brings in over $150 billion each year worldwide according to The International Labor Organization which also estimates that there are 20.9 million victims of human trafficking globally, including 5.5 million children. 55% are women and girls.
It is not just “black market” profit. Many U.S. corporations stand to gain billions this year by turning a blind eye to human trafficking. This is done through the use of third-party contractors which allows corporations to wipe their hands clean of any wrong-doing while reaping the most profitable benefits. Large corporations aren’t the only ones to blame; they are able to evade responsibility in large part due to a lack of regulations and enforcement of anti-human trafficking laws. No sector or industry is immune from human trafficking. Victims have been identified in factories, restaurants, construction work, agricultural fields, hotels, spas, nail salons, and private residences.
Our thoughts create our lives, and the world around us. We must take responsibility and be conscious of this from here on. If our lives are created and affected by our thoughts, so is the planet. The planet is an organic, living cell (a bigger body) that depends on us, just like we depend on it, for survival. We are interdependent, just like us and the cells in our bodies, which depend on us to feed them healthy food and have positive thoughts in order to give us a healthy life. We need to care for our planet the same way we need to care for our bodies. This means that things that happen on a smaller level can also happen on a large level. As cells have consciousness and our thoughts and actions can affect their state of well-being, we can also affect the well-being of the planet.