Friday, April 27, 2012
Frustration with Social Media
The phenomena that social media creates displays how public opinion is based on indoctrination by mass media, governments and other societal institutions like churches and schools. The use of words play a very key role in influencing the formation of opinion. If you read different newspapers side by side, you will see that one paper leans toward conservatism and the other towards liberalism. Each writer has their own unique tone of voice. Even with a very bad writer, you will find an individual personality that is like no other. People may sound alike or read like mirror-images of each other but there will always be tiny details that will set them apart. As a writer, I know I have the power to help educate people on issues. In the past several years, I have already been able to voice out my knowledge and personal convictions on human rights, and that voice was recognized by people who have become mentors and role models. But I have many frustrations when it comes to people who are apathetic and/or not aware of human rights abuses... Talking to people that I have written about human trafficking and female genital mutilation sometimes push people away or I get a barrage of ignorant, miseducated comments that just irritates me: People tell me that it only happens in Asia. Or I get a lot of angry words that I have heard a million times before. I am very disappointed that all the effort I have been giving had not created a dent in anyone's heads. So today, I am in the search for ways to make people more aware and with a much better understanding of the issues that affect the world today. I will work with people who have balanced views on opposing arguments. I will collaborate with organizations who are on a mission to properly educate the world at-large. Comment if you want to help me!
Monday, April 16, 2012
Brief Summary of Ambassador Luis CdeBaca's Keynote Address Morning of April 13, 2012
On Friday, April 13, 2012, I was fortunate enough to hear Luis CdeBaca give the keynote address at the Open Society Foundation's conference entitled "Ending Human Trafficking, or Something Else?" It was an impressive 30 minute (more or less) lecture on the current developments of the U.S. State Department's anti-human trafficking efforts both in the U.S. and around the world. Mr. Cdebaca is the current Ambassador-at-Large of the U.S. Department of State's Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons.
He mentioned that the first sentence in the Trafficking Victim Protections Act (TVPA) says "human trafficking is modern slavery." But he said that when U.S. State Secretary Hilary Rodham-Clinton saw that. She said, "Let's just call it slavery!" Ambassador CdeBaca emphasized that anti-human trafficking efforts must have a victim-centered approach, and not just punishing the traffickers and the exploiters. We must focus on the victims' restoration, giving them a better life so they cannot re-enter the trafficking situations they've been rescued from. He also stressed the preventative approach and victim protection. This would entail working closely with law enforcement.
Ambassador CdeBaca talked about the success of the U.S. National Human Trafficking Hotline (1-888-3737-888) operated by the Polaris Project. Experts thought people would only call to ask questions about what human trafficking was. But instead, they found actual victims and witnesses calling that turned into rescues, raids, arrests and criminal charges against the traffickers.
On the international front, he talked how foreign governments are using other laws as an excuse not to take the crime of human trafficking seriously. They'll say it's just labor violations, an illegal immigration problem and/or prostitution. Ambassador CdeBaca encouraged attendees to have the "courage to point" to tell governments and the whole world the seriousness of human trafficking.
Everyone from churches, schools and other institutions must work together to abolish slavery. But people must also remember that only governments can do certain things--to make arrest, to fine and incarcerate criminals, and to make official legislation in jurisdictions. We must work in a way where we should not use euphemisms to dilute this huge problem in our world today. It is very important to use a particular language so when we do talk to others that we know we are all on the same page. But over-using "human trafficking" and "modern-day slavery" will lead into apathy in the general public instead of action.
Ambassador Luis CdeBaca closed his address with the statement "We must advance the fulfilling of freedom for our sons and daughters." I personally think he was talking about what the flag of the United States of America symbolized...
He mentioned that the first sentence in the Trafficking Victim Protections Act (TVPA) says "human trafficking is modern slavery." But he said that when U.S. State Secretary Hilary Rodham-Clinton saw that. She said, "Let's just call it slavery!" Ambassador CdeBaca emphasized that anti-human trafficking efforts must have a victim-centered approach, and not just punishing the traffickers and the exploiters. We must focus on the victims' restoration, giving them a better life so they cannot re-enter the trafficking situations they've been rescued from. He also stressed the preventative approach and victim protection. This would entail working closely with law enforcement.
Ambassador CdeBaca talked about the success of the U.S. National Human Trafficking Hotline (1-888-3737-888) operated by the Polaris Project. Experts thought people would only call to ask questions about what human trafficking was. But instead, they found actual victims and witnesses calling that turned into rescues, raids, arrests and criminal charges against the traffickers.
On the international front, he talked how foreign governments are using other laws as an excuse not to take the crime of human trafficking seriously. They'll say it's just labor violations, an illegal immigration problem and/or prostitution. Ambassador CdeBaca encouraged attendees to have the "courage to point" to tell governments and the whole world the seriousness of human trafficking.
Everyone from churches, schools and other institutions must work together to abolish slavery. But people must also remember that only governments can do certain things--to make arrest, to fine and incarcerate criminals, and to make official legislation in jurisdictions. We must work in a way where we should not use euphemisms to dilute this huge problem in our world today. It is very important to use a particular language so when we do talk to others that we know we are all on the same page. But over-using "human trafficking" and "modern-day slavery" will lead into apathy in the general public instead of action.
Ambassador Luis CdeBaca closed his address with the statement "We must advance the fulfilling of freedom for our sons and daughters." I personally think he was talking about what the flag of the United States of America symbolized...
Saturday, February 25, 2012
Para Kay Inang Kalikasan
Ang ating munting daigdig ay lubos sa likas yaman. Ang mga yamang ito ang nagbibigay buhay sa atin at sa ating mga lungsod. Mabuti na ito'y libreng inihahandog sa atin ni Inang Kalikasan ngunit tayo naman mga tao... ay pinagsasamantala at ginagahasa ang lupain at karagatan ng napakaliit na planetang ito.
Maganda ang pag-unlad ng ating mga bayan. Humahaba ang buhay ng tao, lalong nagiging masaya ang lahat dahil mas maganda ang nararanasan natin kaysa noong nakaraang isang libong taon.
Sa anino ng kaunlaran ay nakatago ang wasak na mga kagubatan na wala nang buhay. Dati-rati, naririnig mo ang maligayang pag-awit ng mga ibon; nakikita mo ang makukulay na bulaklak ng mga daming halaman... Ngayon, katahimikan, nakakabinging katahimikan ang naririnig mo; kalahating patay na mga puno ang iyong namamasdan...
Maganda ang pag-unlad ng ating mga bayan. Humahaba ang buhay ng tao, lalong nagiging masaya ang lahat dahil mas maganda ang nararanasan natin kaysa noong nakaraang isang libong taon.
Sa anino ng kaunlaran ay nakatago ang wasak na mga kagubatan na wala nang buhay. Dati-rati, naririnig mo ang maligayang pag-awit ng mga ibon; nakikita mo ang makukulay na bulaklak ng mga daming halaman... Ngayon, katahimikan, nakakabinging katahimikan ang naririnig mo; kalahating patay na mga puno ang iyong namamasdan...
Thursday, December 15, 2011
Lessons from "Half the Sky"
Finished "Half the Sky" in three days! It has changed me in a lot of ways...
1. With all the wonderful stories of women and girls overcoming the hardest odds, I am inspired by their amazing courageous spirits and I myself, will not give up without a fight.
2. Some initiatives and projects, even with very good intentions and success elsewhere, will not be effective due to local culture. So, I suggest we study the African village first before we think of some lofty idea about teaching them about women's rights.
3. That even young schoolgirls can make a huge difference in the world. Encourage them to think of ideas and support them as they implement them to make them successful. Let them create clubs, fundraisers, campaigns...
4. That the United Nations, other multilateral organizations, and national government aid agencies must evaluate their strategies because some of them are proving ineffective, but a waste of money and effort.
I learned so many other things too but these are the major points I got out of the book. Thanks to Nicholas D. Kristof and his wife, Sheryl WuDunn for writing this awe-inspiring, very educating book!!! I highly recommend that you read it also....
1. With all the wonderful stories of women and girls overcoming the hardest odds, I am inspired by their amazing courageous spirits and I myself, will not give up without a fight.
2. Some initiatives and projects, even with very good intentions and success elsewhere, will not be effective due to local culture. So, I suggest we study the African village first before we think of some lofty idea about teaching them about women's rights.
3. That even young schoolgirls can make a huge difference in the world. Encourage them to think of ideas and support them as they implement them to make them successful. Let them create clubs, fundraisers, campaigns...
4. That the United Nations, other multilateral organizations, and national government aid agencies must evaluate their strategies because some of them are proving ineffective, but a waste of money and effort.
I learned so many other things too but these are the major points I got out of the book. Thanks to Nicholas D. Kristof and his wife, Sheryl WuDunn for writing this awe-inspiring, very educating book!!! I highly recommend that you read it also....
Thursday, December 1, 2011
World's AIDS Awareness Day
It's World's AIDS Awareness Day! But what is AIDS... AIDS stand for acquired immune deficiency syndrome caused by a virus that destroys the actual system in the human body that fights viruses and bacteria that are harmful to us. The virus is called human immunodeficiency virus or in short HIV. It is not easily caught like the common cold virus but without the necessary safety precautions, you can get infected too. Not too worry, there have been many cases where people actually become HIV free after several years but there are still many suffering and dying from the disease. DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT!
Here are some things you can do:
1. Educate yourself and teach others in your family, in your neighborhood, in your community...
2. Donate to AIDS/HIV research
3. Campaign to raise awareness and in increasing prevention practices
4. PRAY!!!
Here are some things you can do:
1. Educate yourself and teach others in your family, in your neighborhood, in your community...
2. Donate to AIDS/HIV research
3. Campaign to raise awareness and in increasing prevention practices
4. PRAY!!!
Monday, November 7, 2011
Human Exploitation: A Personal Perspective
I can see how people can easily exploit other human beings. For almost nine years, I worked as a bank teller. Today, I work in food service. Both are customer service jobs. Here in the United States, people are so impatient. They want things in an instant. They think as soon as you order something it will be immediately in front of them.
Unfortunately, it is still a dog-eat-dog world. I don’t know why some people do not believe in Darwin’s theory of evolution when all the scientific evidence validate his theory. SURVIVAL OF THE FITTEST! Inside each of us are still inherent animal instincts that we grow to learn to control somewhat. But if these animal instincts are manipulated by dogmatic ideologies, they literally become “weapons of mass destruction.”
Racism coupled with perverted animal instincts has led to the murder of millions. The Holocaust is the most famous case of genocide but we have very current grim examples. All over the modern African continent, tribal militias are systematically murdering the population and morally destabilizing the psyche of other tribes thought to be inferior.
The Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade was rooted in the European imperialistic pride that the Caucasian race (the white race) is the most superior human race in the world. It is horrible to think that this was actually condoned by the western European colonial powers. Americans believe slavery the end of the US Civil War. But this is not the reality…
The United Nations (UN) has termed it as “trafficking in persons” but it is more known as “human trafficking,” which is defined as “…recruitment, transportation, transfer, harbouring or receipt of persons, by means of threat or use of force or other form of coercion, of abduction, of fraud, of deception, of the abuse of power or of a position of vulnerability or of the giving or receiving of payment or benefits to achieve the consent of a person having control over on another person, for the purpose of exploitation.”
Like squirrels and ants, humans have a natural tendency to hoard. Human beings believe that having more material thins lead to invulnerability and even to immortality. Many great ancient cultures of the world entomb precious jewelry and other useful things along with their royal dead in their belief of an after-life. And the growing buying power of many developing countries are contributing to that belief…
As national economies develop, a huge door of opportunity to amass more breaks wide open for those who already have great material wealth and for those who wield great political power. The saying “The rich become richer and richer; the poor gets poorer and poorer” is becoming more prevalently true as the 21st Century unfolds. There is not one simple answer to what is causing the ever-growing economic divide of the haves and have-nots. Nor is there a quick, easy solution to the worsening poverty around the world.
What I am presenting in this paper is only a small part of the problem: human trafficking, exploitation of people with no direct benefit to the exploited. People do not have to cross national borders to be trafficked. In cities around the United States, American girls are verbally, psychologically and physically abused into sexual slavery. Many young children—sometimes even as young as three—are made to work long, unendurable hours in dangerous mines harvesting diamonds, precious metals and other raw commodities from the earth.
And lately especially in China, many unsuspecting victims unfortunately succumb to having one or several of their vital organs stolen from them to be sold into the black market. The weak and the powerless become mere commodities to be used by those with more power, and unfortunately who also have no compassion for the suffering of others.
Quite frequently, they are treated worse than animals. These human trafficking victims are made to work in dangerous, unsanitary conditions. Their living quarters are cramped or sometimes they don’t even have a bed to sleep in. Food ration from the exploiter or trafficker are sometimes scarce. With a lot of sex trafficking victims, they are rewarded with only one small meal a day. Their health is of no concern. If they get sick or injured, a lot of the exploited are left to die in some dark corner or at some remote, isolated area.
Supply and demand! In human trafficking, as long as there is a demand for it, the supply will always be there. I am not trying to be a moral expert here. But I pose these questions: Should we, human beings, allow these atrocities be brought upon our brothers and sisters? What makes you think that it does not impact you? What makes you believe that you do not contribute to the supply-demand chain of modern-day slavery?
As food prices inflate around the world, cheap labor is in huge demand. It is not just about more farm hands. The whole global labor market will also feel the effects of rapidly increasing food prices. Not just in decreasing buying power but also in an increase of free labor, not volunteer labor but forced labor.
As I stated in the beginning of this essay, human beings have retained the essence of their animal ancestors. Our need for nourishment and shelter is hyped up by modern civilization. Actions of avarice are becoming more accepted by society, even considered essential for survival. Hence, we will use any means to fulfill our selfish needs. I heard of mothers prostituting their daughters to fund their drug addictions and this happens in the United States…
Unfortunately, it is still a dog-eat-dog world. I don’t know why some people do not believe in Darwin’s theory of evolution when all the scientific evidence validate his theory. SURVIVAL OF THE FITTEST! Inside each of us are still inherent animal instincts that we grow to learn to control somewhat. But if these animal instincts are manipulated by dogmatic ideologies, they literally become “weapons of mass destruction.”
Racism coupled with perverted animal instincts has led to the murder of millions. The Holocaust is the most famous case of genocide but we have very current grim examples. All over the modern African continent, tribal militias are systematically murdering the population and morally destabilizing the psyche of other tribes thought to be inferior.
The Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade was rooted in the European imperialistic pride that the Caucasian race (the white race) is the most superior human race in the world. It is horrible to think that this was actually condoned by the western European colonial powers. Americans believe slavery the end of the US Civil War. But this is not the reality…
The United Nations (UN) has termed it as “trafficking in persons” but it is more known as “human trafficking,” which is defined as “…recruitment, transportation, transfer, harbouring or receipt of persons, by means of threat or use of force or other form of coercion, of abduction, of fraud, of deception, of the abuse of power or of a position of vulnerability or of the giving or receiving of payment or benefits to achieve the consent of a person having control over on another person, for the purpose of exploitation.”
Like squirrels and ants, humans have a natural tendency to hoard. Human beings believe that having more material thins lead to invulnerability and even to immortality. Many great ancient cultures of the world entomb precious jewelry and other useful things along with their royal dead in their belief of an after-life. And the growing buying power of many developing countries are contributing to that belief…
As national economies develop, a huge door of opportunity to amass more breaks wide open for those who already have great material wealth and for those who wield great political power. The saying “The rich become richer and richer; the poor gets poorer and poorer” is becoming more prevalently true as the 21st Century unfolds. There is not one simple answer to what is causing the ever-growing economic divide of the haves and have-nots. Nor is there a quick, easy solution to the worsening poverty around the world.
What I am presenting in this paper is only a small part of the problem: human trafficking, exploitation of people with no direct benefit to the exploited. People do not have to cross national borders to be trafficked. In cities around the United States, American girls are verbally, psychologically and physically abused into sexual slavery. Many young children—sometimes even as young as three—are made to work long, unendurable hours in dangerous mines harvesting diamonds, precious metals and other raw commodities from the earth.
And lately especially in China, many unsuspecting victims unfortunately succumb to having one or several of their vital organs stolen from them to be sold into the black market. The weak and the powerless become mere commodities to be used by those with more power, and unfortunately who also have no compassion for the suffering of others.
Quite frequently, they are treated worse than animals. These human trafficking victims are made to work in dangerous, unsanitary conditions. Their living quarters are cramped or sometimes they don’t even have a bed to sleep in. Food ration from the exploiter or trafficker are sometimes scarce. With a lot of sex trafficking victims, they are rewarded with only one small meal a day. Their health is of no concern. If they get sick or injured, a lot of the exploited are left to die in some dark corner or at some remote, isolated area.
Supply and demand! In human trafficking, as long as there is a demand for it, the supply will always be there. I am not trying to be a moral expert here. But I pose these questions: Should we, human beings, allow these atrocities be brought upon our brothers and sisters? What makes you think that it does not impact you? What makes you believe that you do not contribute to the supply-demand chain of modern-day slavery?
As food prices inflate around the world, cheap labor is in huge demand. It is not just about more farm hands. The whole global labor market will also feel the effects of rapidly increasing food prices. Not just in decreasing buying power but also in an increase of free labor, not volunteer labor but forced labor.
As I stated in the beginning of this essay, human beings have retained the essence of their animal ancestors. Our need for nourishment and shelter is hyped up by modern civilization. Actions of avarice are becoming more accepted by society, even considered essential for survival. Hence, we will use any means to fulfill our selfish needs. I heard of mothers prostituting their daughters to fund their drug addictions and this happens in the United States…
Monday, August 22, 2011
The Economy, Organized Crime & Money Laundering
In the midst of the global financial crisis, has anybody, economists, policy makers or politicians, ever consider that the underground financial market (organized crime--i.e. illegal arms trade, drug & human trafficking) may play a huge role in the mess that the world is in? Is it possible that our "willful blindness" is leading us to a wrong perception of the situation? Maybe the solution is IN exposing all these evils we do not want to show our innocent children... The greed of Wall Street is nothing compared to the brutal abuse and exploitation of helpless children by merciless, sadistic adults. Billions and billions of US dollars are being exchanged through the trade of human flesh and the persons being traded see not even a single penny of it. Instead, they are threatened with more abuse and death, not just their own but their families too--who may or may not have an idea of their horrible circumstances.
What I am saying is true! This is not fiction. It is happening all around the globe even in Washington DC, the capital of the mighty United States of America. It is happening right underneath our lawmakers', our judges' and even our president's noses... Even underneath most law enforcers' noses because they do not have adequate training on human trafficking (or trafficking in persons, as the US Department of State has termed it). And what is worst, the profit from the exploitation of these helpless and voiceless persons are being funneled through the world's financial systems...
Bankers may recognize the common red flags of money laundering (i.e. sequential money orders, questionable large transactions especially cash deposits under $10,000--to avoid the federally mandated Currency Transaction Report) but what about the discrepancy between account addresses and the locations of frequent deposits (as I have encountered in my banking career). This is just an example of what I have seen as a banker and there is so much more strategies that these criminals hide under the guise of clean (and so-called legitimate) business.
What I am suggesting here is maybe we should get bankers better trained on how to detect human trafficking through supposedly routine financial transactions... As bankers, you do not have to do anything but report it to authorities who have the legal right and proper means to catch these crooks and stop them from doing more inhumane evil. I speak from experience though I never did see the end results of my diligent reporting of these transactions in my nine years of banking. But I believe it had led to some substantial investigations into this illegal, evil trade...
What I am saying is true! This is not fiction. It is happening all around the globe even in Washington DC, the capital of the mighty United States of America. It is happening right underneath our lawmakers', our judges' and even our president's noses... Even underneath most law enforcers' noses because they do not have adequate training on human trafficking (or trafficking in persons, as the US Department of State has termed it). And what is worst, the profit from the exploitation of these helpless and voiceless persons are being funneled through the world's financial systems...
Bankers may recognize the common red flags of money laundering (i.e. sequential money orders, questionable large transactions especially cash deposits under $10,000--to avoid the federally mandated Currency Transaction Report) but what about the discrepancy between account addresses and the locations of frequent deposits (as I have encountered in my banking career). This is just an example of what I have seen as a banker and there is so much more strategies that these criminals hide under the guise of clean (and so-called legitimate) business.
What I am suggesting here is maybe we should get bankers better trained on how to detect human trafficking through supposedly routine financial transactions... As bankers, you do not have to do anything but report it to authorities who have the legal right and proper means to catch these crooks and stop them from doing more inhumane evil. I speak from experience though I never did see the end results of my diligent reporting of these transactions in my nine years of banking. But I believe it had led to some substantial investigations into this illegal, evil trade...
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