And you should too
Recently I have undergone a feeling of despair. Looking at the world around us can be very overwhelming, with things like poverty, starvation, exploitation, slavery, racism, mass shootings, sex trafficking, persecution, and global warming all around us.
I can keep going, but it’s just a lot. If you are like me and you are very empathetic, these things can be a burden. How can I, one individual among 7 billion, do anything to help? Can I change anything?
As Copts, we are called to be the voice for the voiceless
Growing up I used to be very optimistic, believing that I alone can “change the world.” This quickly shifted when I uncovered the mess we call our world. My belief was just all shoved under this comfortable bed of ignorance. That is why I decided that it’s important to stay informed, and stop ignoring the wake-up calls. I am a citizen of this planet, and I have a duty to participate in doing good by it.
You don’t have to be a political activist or the Ghandi and Mother Teresa type to make a change. Instead, we must simply keep our eyes open when corruption is revealed to us, and to stop living blindly. Scrolling, snapping, and bingeing are all dangers to being a good global citizen.
No; social media, Netflix and smart phones are not bad, that’s not the conversation at hand. Instead, this is a call to utilize these tools for good, not for escapism. There are many eye-opening documentaries and streaming news alerts at our fingertips! There are many organizations on social media, which is a great way to stay informed and get involved!
No, one person can’t change the world; but create a network of like-minded people, and there is no stopping the rapid transformations waiting to be unleashed.
This leads me to raise an opportunity for both the female and male readers to participate in. We’ve all caught wind of the “No-Shave November” movement, where men choose to not shave their facial hair for the month of November to raise awareness of male health issues like prostrate cancer. If this is something you are participating in, KEEP IT UP!
Meanwhile, the lovely month of December also carries a punny-inspired movement-, Dressember. Yes, this can also be for guys, stay with me:
Slavery exists all over the world and at least 20.9 million people around the world are trapped in it; 50% are children, and 96% are made up of women and girls. The Sex trade is the fastest growing crime trade in the world, and it is thriving. Blythe Hill, a fashion analyst and an assault victim, strives to aid in the fight against sex slavery.
Simply, Dressember started as a style challenge: to wear a dress everyday for a month. One women’s passion and experiences led to a full sex trafficking awareness organization. She just began where she was, and did something great with it. Through aligning with International Justice Mission (IJM), an organization that aids and rescues victims of slavery, and A21, an organization that also fights trafficking and slavery, Blythe made this movement possible.
No, one person can’t change the world; but create a network of like-minded people, and there is no stopping the rapid transformations waiting to be unleashed.
Dressember calls for its female advocates to wear dresses for every day of December and post a picture raising awareness of global sex trafficking or slavery; for men, it’s to wear bow-ties or ties and do the same!
The movement isn’t just something for show, Dressember actually works: last year, the campaign raised 1.5 million dollars for sex trafficking and slavery victims. Dressemeber’s partners use this money to rescue victims, serve justice and restore the lives of those who feel like it has been taken away from them. These survivors are provided representation in court, housing, medical treatment, education and trauma counseling.
Elsa, a survivor attests to this treatment; “Today, I am moving forward and making a better life. And I have a message for girls who are still waiting for freedom. Do not lose hope. There are people looking for you.”
In this case, a fashion choice can go a long way. IJM has relieved over 40,000 humans from sex trafficking rings. In the year of 2016, A21 was able to free 77 slaves, open a resource line in South Africa, built homes for refugees and had 300 walks in 40 different countries to raise awareness of trafficking and slavery. Awareness reduces vulnerability. Be part of the change.
I had the honor of participating in this movement last year, December 2016. I learned that it’s much bigger than a dress. It’s about being a good global citizen and doing things to help our brothers and sisters worldwide. It’s about being inspired to not only raise awareness for slavery and sex trafficking but also to think critically about our world and what to do to spring change.
It’s about trusting in God’s mercy and doing our part while he carries the world. God calls us to “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself” (Matthew 22:37–40).
For me, Dressember is one way that I can honor God’s commandment, and it’s one way that you can too. As Copts, we are called to listen to Jesus’s words and be the voice for the voiceless. This is just one way that you can do your part. Spread love and help free these victims by reaching your fundraising goal, while also raising awareness on the subject by taking a dress/bowtie selfie every day.
Let’s band together and dress up this winter ladies and gentlemen!
Yours truly,
Leaping from Despair
We’ve started a team for anyone who wants to participate in the challenge! To register, click here. And to donate to our team, click here.
Christine Ibrahim is a 4th year Sociology student at the University of California, Riverside. She is an aspiring English teacher who wishes to serve in low-income schools. If you ever want to have a thought-provoking discussion about stars, sushi and how cute her dog is, she is your gal!
If you would like to contribute to the Coptic Voice, please send an email with your bio and topic of interest to CopticvoiceUS@gmail.com
