From an Atrocious History to a 

Disturbing Present

2013 marked the 150th anniversary of the Emancipation Proclamation. Yet in the 150 years that have passed since slavery was made illegal in the United States, it has not disappeared, it has merely evolved. According to the US Department of Justice, between 14,500 and 17,500 foreign nationals are trafficked into the States every year. This number does not even account for the number of US citizens trafficked within the country.  An estimated 200,000 American children, for example, are at risk of being trafficked into the sex industry.

There is no typical slave in America. He or she could be an immigrant forced to pick fruit, a 15 year old under the control of a pimp, or someone sewing clothes in a sweatshop under threat of physical harm. While each of these forms of exploitation differ from the historical image of the transatlantic slave trade, racism, and abhorrent brutality, these people face the same unjust manipulation and coercion that existed in the 1800s.

The Path Towards a Solution

Although slavery continues to plague America today, the issue of human trafficking does not go untested. Innumerable charities have implemented safe houses for survivors to recover and rebuild their lives. Legislators at the state and national level have drafted and passed anti-trafficking legislation, and countless individuals have contributed to raising awareness in order to prevent this crime. Most pertinently, youth have also taken up the cause to end this injustice. Check out the infographic at the left to learn more!

Americans and the Impact of Rampant Consumerism 

Americans contribute to the slave trade through what we consume. Though the sweatshop where an item was made with exploitation may be outside of your city or across the world, buying the product still contributes to the demand. Buying a fair-trade chocolate bar over one that is not, for example, sends three messages:
  1. To the cheap, popular chocolate bar brand you are saying that you will not use your money to condone the violation of human rights. 
  2. To the fair trade company, you are saying that you support them not only in thought, but in action. 
  3. To the public, you are displaying personal actions to promote justice. 
The importance of decisions about small things like candy bars and clothing items can actually be quite large. So whether you are at your computer, with your friends, or in a store, say no to slavery and yes to freedom. Watch the video at right to learn more. Find out how many slaves work for you, where your purchases have come from, and the other resources we have compiled to enable you to consume with care!
This video by the MTV Exit Campaign reveals how rampant consumerism can deplete human rights.