There were so many sentences and paragraphs that struck me while reading "Renting Lacy," (a book about human trafficking) but one that sticks out in my mind as I train for a 1/2 Ironman in honor of those victims and survivors, is that as I rise in the morning to go train, they are just ending their night's work. Those who are forced into the horrible situation of sexual trafficking, spend the night "working" for their quota, set by the pimp who "owns" them. They begin around the time we all go to bed and end around the time we rise for our day.
I had a "moment" this morning when my alarm went off before 5am, a moment of hesitation and deep compassion as I tied my sneakers to go off and do what I love knowing that at the same time there were women and even young girls all over the country, feeling used and exhausted at that same moment from an evening of unthinkable work.
I prayed.
And I often pray for these women as I slog away on the treadmill.
Sometimes tears fill my eyes because my heart is so moved by their horrible situations.
Here is a poem I wrote thinking about this dichotomy:
I am rising.
They are ending a night's work.
I am rising.
They are recovering, hurt and ashamed.
I am rising.
They are worn down, wondering if it will ever stop.
I am rising - to fulfill my dreams.
They are going to bed, tucking away dreams they no longer believe in.
I am rising to greet the sun, to conquer the day.
They are sinking, believing they are forgotten, abandoned, and unworthy.
I am rising to greet the sun and bring that light, the light of God, to shine in the darkness that hides them.
I am rising to greet the sun to take that light, and to shine truth on the lies and stereotypes about prostitutes, pimps, and the culture of sex our own country has developed that casts shadows, increases both male and female insecurities, and to replace it with goodness, hope, and light.
I am rising to confront the sinful desire to abuse, rape, and neglect a woman and a young girl or boy.
I am rising to put the slavery to rest.
I AM an ABOLITIONIST.
With the grace of God, the strength of a compassionate, united and educated community, we will fight the good fight.
I AM an ABOLITIONIST.
With Christ as the cornerstone, we will build new dreams and new kinds of systems in which equality reigns and humility is subversive to the prevailing cultural expectations and overtones.
I AM an ABOLITIONIST.
I believe in the goodness of people and will pray, talk, cry, and pray more to bring out the image of God in another.
I AM an ABOLITIONIST.
And abolitionists never give up.
Until everyone is free.
Peace,
Annette M. Snedaker
I had a "moment" this morning when my alarm went off before 5am, a moment of hesitation and deep compassion as I tied my sneakers to go off and do what I love knowing that at the same time there were women and even young girls all over the country, feeling used and exhausted at that same moment from an evening of unthinkable work.
I prayed.
And I often pray for these women as I slog away on the treadmill.
Sometimes tears fill my eyes because my heart is so moved by their horrible situations.
Here is a poem I wrote thinking about this dichotomy:
I am rising.
They are ending a night's work.
I am rising.
They are recovering, hurt and ashamed.
I am rising.
They are worn down, wondering if it will ever stop.
I am rising - to fulfill my dreams.
They are going to bed, tucking away dreams they no longer believe in.
I am rising to greet the sun, to conquer the day.
They are sinking, believing they are forgotten, abandoned, and unworthy.
I am rising to greet the sun and bring that light, the light of God, to shine in the darkness that hides them.
I am rising to greet the sun to take that light, and to shine truth on the lies and stereotypes about prostitutes, pimps, and the culture of sex our own country has developed that casts shadows, increases both male and female insecurities, and to replace it with goodness, hope, and light.
I am rising to confront the sinful desire to abuse, rape, and neglect a woman and a young girl or boy.
I am rising to put the slavery to rest.
I AM an ABOLITIONIST.
With the grace of God, the strength of a compassionate, united and educated community, we will fight the good fight.
I AM an ABOLITIONIST.
With Christ as the cornerstone, we will build new dreams and new kinds of systems in which equality reigns and humility is subversive to the prevailing cultural expectations and overtones.
I AM an ABOLITIONIST.
I believe in the goodness of people and will pray, talk, cry, and pray more to bring out the image of God in another.
I AM an ABOLITIONIST.
And abolitionists never give up.
Until everyone is free.
Peace,
Annette M. Snedaker
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