While reading this chapter my mind
began to wonder back to the days of slavery in the U.S. as it pertains to
women. The chapter starts off by stating one of the reasons so many women and
girls are kidnapped, trafficked, raped and abused is because they grin and bear
it. They endure due to the only other
option being death. This took me back to
the history of African American women during slavery with no voice, no
protection from their husbands for fear of being lynched, no regard for human
life or dignity. I agree whole heartedly
that with education and empowerment training, girls can understand that being a
woman does not constitute being treated as less than human.
The boldness of Usha Naryane
especially sparked my interest. Speaking
out and speaking up is one thing but when it’s backed by action that’s what is
different, it makes the difference. I
found myself crying then cheering as I read Usha’s story. It proved that
education is powerful and if put to good use it yields results. Even though
Usha’s mom stated she was worried about the fearlessness of her daughter she
was completely supportive of her. I
enjoyed reading how the women stepped up and took matters into their own hands,
devised a plan and stood together to achieve their freedom.
A whole community driven by one who
was finally fed up with the unfair treatment of her community, her people and filled
up by charisma and leadership.
This post started me on a quest to find another time in history where women had to stand up for what is right. My mind instantly went to women suffrage. This was a time where women should be recognized and talked about in history class but the continuous change in standards has caused many schools to stop teaching it. In America we are all for equal opportunity. This means that everyone is entitled to an education. We are suppose to be better than India or places like it when it comes to educating women but it seems we have fallen short.
ReplyDeletehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ebpa1YSns8
This video clearly shows that with a lack of education your decisions are based off of what you know. This demonstrates that what we know is not always correct. If this lack of education in America is skewing these women viewpoints it is obviously hurting the women in India who believe sex trafficking is inevitable. Education does help. However it is not the only solution but it is a good start. If education can help these poor women see other options for their life then we may be able to start stopping the sex trafficking industry.
I have to admit, I couldn't help but smile as I read of the women in the village who stood up to Akku Yadav in the courtroom. I imagined how empowered they must have felt, the man who had tortured them, violated them, finally overpowered and begging for mercy (again, I'll admit, I'm glad they did not show any!!). Not only did they ban together to end his miserable existence, but they then stuck together and refused to place the blame on any single person. "We all take responsibility for what happened", said one of the women. The strength they showed moved me, and inspired me. Strength is truly in numbers, and if we join with others who want to help women in these parts of the world where trafficking, slavery, and rape are an accepted reality, we surely cannot fail.
ReplyDeleteI absolutely agree with you when you say that there needs to be action behind one who speaks up and speaks out. However, I also agree with Kristof when he concedes that it is easy for those of us so far away to urge those being trafficked to stand up to their oppressers when they, not we, are the ones facing death and torture for their unwillingness to cooperate with traffickers. Usha Narayane was one of those who not only had a voice, not only put action behind her voice but also faced the same threats of violence that had kept her fellow villagers prisoner to Akku Yadav and his gang and STILL kept her voice with death nearly looking her in the face! What an inspiration she was (is) not only to the entire village and especially women in her community but to us, who see these injustices occurring on the other side of the world and offer advice from the comfort of our own safe homes. It made me wonder...what would I (or any of us) have done if this madman Akku was beating down our doors? How many of us would have had the courage to stand our ground as Usha did and send him running?...
ReplyDeleteI found myself wanting to get to the end of the story of Usha to find out what happened to her. I was afraid that she was going to fall victim to Akku Yadav. I too found myself cheering for her and the women of her village as I read her story. It shows how one person CAN make a difference. Change starts with one voice and an action and then goes from there. After Usha stood up for herself the women in the community stood up for their selves and stood behind her. The story of Usha shows how education can empower and improve one’s life.
ReplyDeleteI see where you connect the modern slavery of sex trafficked girls to African American girls during the slavery period, but there was more to the past slavery then them having an education. It was not just women, but ALL African Americans being viewed less than human, so women just having a voice and education would not of fixed the problem back then, but having ALL the African American's working together as one to fight the discrimination of their color would of had a larger impact. Just where having ALL the people who are sex trafficked (not just women, but men also) work together about getting education and fighting as one would out number their abusers. It's hard to keep in mind that women are not the only ones being abused in the sex trafficking world, but also men. The one thing they all share in common is they are viewed or discriminated against as less then human, just as the African Americans were. I like your connection between modern slavery and past slavery.
ReplyDeleteI was also empowered by how Usha organized and led the women in her community to destroy the man victimizing them. I completely agree that providing education for these people living in poverty will help them to overcome the risk of being sold into prostitution. As an outsider it is difficult for me to understand the magnitude of this problem or how I can help. Obviously I can't go running over there and raid a brothel but I can support organizations that promote education and better well-being on a local level. Usha succeeded because she was a member of the community so supporting her would be more beneficial than a foreigner.
ReplyDeleteI also connect trafficing with slavery because it was the same for many women. Many slaved women were raped by their owners, yes, they were sold out as we know of to be a sex slave. They do relate because they both have no power over what they have to do and of their bodies which I find morally wrong! I was so proud of Usha as well even though the dangers of her sticking up for the women and her daughter she did it because she did not want them to have to go through it. She is one of my heros and I am so proud of her she gives women an amazing name.
ReplyDeleteI have to agree a little with Stephanie Dean that the slavery of our past is far different from that of the current sex trafficking catastrophe. America's history with slavery would not have been cured solely with education and nor will the current battle with trafficking be won by it. Education is incredibly important, but is by no means the single driving force to freedom for those currently enslaved. Usha is an inspiration but let us not forget that with that education she also had status within her community and an unvarnished reputation. A former victim or prostitute making the same stance would not have been as well supported by her community.
ReplyDeleteOf course the actions that Usha took were courageous, but what stood out to me was the stories about Akku Yadav. Raping innocent citizens in the middle of the street, or cutting pieces of women; Wow! Sometimes I feel like I’m reading a Hollywood horror film. I thought it was ironic that the women of the village rallied to the courthouse and ended up stabbing him to death.
ReplyDeleteWhen I was reading this chapter, and when the book said that "one of the reasons that so many women and girls are kidnapped, trafficked, raped, and otherwise abused is that they grin and bear it.", it made me think of another part in the chapter. After reading the rest of the chapter I felt awful! Especially when I read Sunitha's story about when the girls got freed and she told them that they were committing suicide. I totally agree with when you say that they need to be educated with empowering training. If they do get that they probably will be able to stand up for themselves and get away from this.
ReplyDeleteI found Usha's fearlessness so encouraging! I even wonder if other women in her same position knew about her and what she did, if they would do the same thing. I often wonder if these women think about escaping or fighting for themselves or if they just go with it. Are they brainwashed to not even think about standing up for themselves? I even wonder if I was in the same position what I would do. To look at it from the outside I tell myself I would fight until my death to get out of the situation. I just wonder if I was on the inside, if my outlook would change..It's sad to even think about for me.
ReplyDeleteWhile I think this is slightly comparable to slavery in the US, I don't think the two can be so easily compared, because of one huge difference. The social acceptance. In the 1800s, not only was it legal to have slaves, it was socially acceptable, and in many places could indicate a high social status. Nowadays, this is not the case, as not only is slavery illegal, it is also frowned upon by society. Due to this, even more people should be steeping out, and fighting against this, whether from the outside or within. So why aren't we?
ReplyDeleteIt's so inspirational when people come together and stop the abuse or violence they are enduring. It just shows how much stronger humanity can be when they fight for a cause together, rather than alone. Victims often don't seek a way out for fear of punishment or death but this chapter showed that collective bravery can rise above cruelty. This situation is very similar to slavery, these women have no rights and are under the control of those in power.
ReplyDeleteUsha was so inspiring and strong, I hope that she set an example for other women in similar situations.
As I read about the women in the village who stood up in the court room to stand up to the men who tortured them in the court room, I was so proud of them and could only imagine how amazing that must have felt. They were all so strong and powerful it made me think about how women could stand up for themselves in situations across the world where they are being abused and even sex trafficked. I wonder what it would be like if all of the women in the world stood up for other women, who are being abused. If all of the women were to organize some sort of protest and take a stand for better treatment of women and to stop abuse what would come of it. I think at minimal if that could happen it would raise awareness, how could we organize this!!
ReplyDeleteAs I read about the women in the village who stood up in the court room to stand up to the men who tortured them in the court room, I was so proud of them and could only imagine how amazing that must have felt. They were all so strong and powerful it made me think about how women could stand up for themselves in situations across the world where they are being abused and even sex trafficked. I wonder what it would be like if all of the women in the world stood up for other women, who are being abused. If all of the women were to organize some sort of protest and take a stand for better treatment of women and to stop abuse what would come of it. I think at minimal if that could happen it would raise awareness, how could we organize this!!
ReplyDeleteAs I read about the women in the village who stood up in the court room to stand up to the men who tortured them in the court room, I was so proud of them and could only imagine how amazing that must have felt. They were all so strong and powerful it made me think about how women could stand up for themselves in situations across the world where they are being abused and even sex trafficked. I wonder what it would be like if all of the women in the world stood up for other women, who are being abused. If all of the women were to organize some sort of protest and take a stand for better treatment of women and to stop abuse what would come of it. I think at minimal if that could happen it would raise awareness, how could we organize this!!
ReplyDeleteAs I am reading this book, the stories and situations get worse and worse. It is mind blowing and sometimes hard to believe half the stuff you're reading. The story about Usha was both sad and happy, thus proving that it only takes one person to make a change. After reading this chapter It just reminded me again on how much we take our lives for granted here. Hearing these stories and seeing what people have done to help change it is so inspirational, it makes you believe that your contribution no matter how small really can make a difference. it gives you hopes for a better world for out families and someday (for me) children. I am really liking this book, and I usually don't like to read!
ReplyDeleteI loved how you made the connection between human trafficking and slavery how it pertained to women because I thought the same thing! Women and girls that are being human trafficked seem to be afraid to speak up and try and stop what is happening to them. This is how slaves felt back then as well. I also like how you said that you feel like if women and children were educated and trained to know that they DO mean something and they are a human who does not deserve to be treated like that, then maybe they would start to speak up and stand up for themselves. Just like everyone else said, I too felt emotions when reading the story about Usha. I was amazed at how fearless she was and she didn't hesitate to stand up for herself and the other women. The stories in this book have been so empowering so far!
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