By Daniel Johnson-Kim, Sports Editor
Slavery is no longer a problem.
The time of slavery was the time of a bearded, top-hat wearing president and the “Battle Hymn of the Republic.”
At least that’s what I used to think.
After attending the International Justice Mission Chapel forum on Thursday my eyes have seen the glory, and I realize slavery is still a thorn in the side of this world, perhaps more than ever. And I need to do something about it.
According to www.amazingchange.com, a Web site devoted to raising awareness about modern slavery, there are more than 27 million slaves in the world today.
That are more slaves than were transported in the history of the transatlantic slave trade, more people than the population of Abilene multiplied by 270 and almost 10 percent of the population of the United States.
With a gaping mouth and look of disbelief, I absorbed those facts and reacted with feelings of disgust, outrage and confusion. But most of all, I felt ashamed.
How could I not be aware of this problem? And why have I been wasting my life writing sports stories and taking Fundamentals of Communication?
I was worrying about frivolous things in Abilene while 27 million people suffer daily and are treated like pieces of property in countries all over the world. I felt like there was little I could do personally to help.
It was true; there was little I could do myself, but there was something I could do if I united with others who were devoted to freeing these slaves. And that’s what I did.
I went to the Amazing Change Web site, searched online news sites and became informed on the issue. But most importantly, I exercised my First Amendment right and signed my name on a petition next to thousands of other people who want to do something about slavery, who want to see slavery be history throughout the world.
Don’t be ignorant; be aware that slavery is still a world issue that we need to do something about.
If we are truly a Christian university wouldn’t the idea of slavery be in conflict with the ideals and morals we claim to live by?
Become a modern day abolitionist.
Get informed, sign the petition, join the campaign and help free the slaves.
