Slavery in the 21st Century

                                                               27  Million

   27 Million without a voice for themselves. 27 Million being bought for a price, when truly they are priceless.

    I remember being a student in chapel at Bethel University and the first time that I heard some these shocking statistics. I heard that slavery still exists and there's more slaves now than at any other point in history. What? How? I thought slavery was illegal? The Civil War was years ago and yes there are still forms of oppression, there's bossy people anywhere but there's not slavery. Maybe in a 3rd world country or some other place, but not America…the Land of the Free.
    There's slavery in this very city. I've never heard of it or seen it. Wouldn't I know if there was slavery in my city? Wouldn't it be on the news…wouldn't it be this issue everyone knows about that's being discussed and people working and putting a stop to it?
    The thing is this is more like a black market of slavery, as it is hidden. That chapel opened my eyes to that knowledge, but since then, I have learned more and more about it, as it bugged me. Then eventually I learned the two main types of slavery today. It's broad term that envelopes both types of slavery is called human trafficking. The two main forms that I have heard of is sex-trafficking and slave labor trafficking…taking people to be forced into labor (both types often involve minors)…similar to the slave labor we already know about from our past, but it's more secretive and not as well known about. To put the amount of slaves into perspective I googled a few things. There are 27 million slaves in the world today. Around 11 million were killed during the Holocaust (about 6 million Jews) and the slaves that came to the New World were about 12-13 million, but America only had about 388,000, and the rest to the Caribbean, South America etc. In no way am I trying to belittle what happened in our country as it was awful and we are still trying to grow from that period. I'm just trying to show that those are two events in history that were awful, the way people were treated, killed etc and each of those two events individually are about half of the amount of slaves there are today via human-trafficking. So I'm basically saying that this is a big deal today, and a huge amount of people, but it either goes widely unknown or it's just accepted, which it shouldn't! (The info from the Holocaust and slavery in the New World were taken from these two cites:  Holocaust & New World Slaves)
   As the years have gone by, I've learned more and more about sex-trafficking specifically as well as a little bit on labor side of modern day slavery.  So I want to share some of what I've learned about sex-trafficking, tell about a few incredible movies and give links to resources.
  When I lived in Arizona, I was fortunate enough to be there for the SuperBowl. However did you know the SuperBowl is one of the biggest events where sex-trafficking happens? Our young adult church group knew about this and saw that an organization that rescues people out of trafficking and spreads awareness would be in town. So with a some other members of 923 (our church group), we decided to get involved.  We went to a training with KLAAS kids who focusing on missing children, as children go missing for many reasons, and one of the big ones is trafficking. People from all around the valley came to the training and learned more. Then throughout the week and weekend, in groups, we went out into the community to look for and spread awareness. My group went around to different hotels making them aware of trafficking and things to look for. We also gave them pamphlets of missing children at the time to keep their eyes out for. After our 923 one night they did a training primarily for women on ways to help out online and what to look for etc. It was very informational, but also highly disturbing as you learn more about this awful epidemic.
    Where does the demand for the sex-trafficking come from? These next few sentences make me sick and I don't understand why it's so popular and the world is trying to make this seem normal and ok.  But there is something called the "new drug" which isn't a physical drug, but has the same effects as drugs, and it's one of the industry's that fuel sex-trafficking…it is called pornography. There's a website called Fight the New Drug -and this link is on a blog post they have on the correlations with sex-trafficking and just reading it makes me sick. So read with caution. I want to do an article on this issue as well sometime as the world is marketing it as normal, when it's not. I want to write about the affects it has on a person, relationships, and just how it's affecting the world on a global scale such as sex-trafficking- as awareness also has to be brought to this.
   I also want to give light on three movies that shed light on this, that are not documentaries. I'm going to talk about them in the order that I saw them.
  The first is called Not Today. This movie predominantly takes place in India. Three American party boys go to India for vacation...in other words to party. The main character has his camera with him and is taking pictures and gets a picture of this little girl by her father while riding in a taxi, to the hotel. Later he runs into them a few times and at one point he see's the dad without the daughter and asks where she is... he sold her. The father was thinking he was selling to a good place so she could get an education, make money for her family etc.  Caden, the American, can't believe how a man could sell his daughter and insists they go look for her. It's not long that he realizes that the daughter was sold into prostitution and the remainder of the movie is trying to find and rescue her. So this is a great movie to show what's happening in other parts of the world (trafficking happens in America too, but I'll let you know the movie that shows what happens in the states a lot). Here the father thought he was helping his daughter, but it was all a lie. The trailer is below:

   The second one I saw came out earlier this year, called Caged No More. This one revolves around two American girls and predominately takes place in Greece, as you could say they were lured on a trip overseas, by someone they trusted. The remainder focuses on a rescue as well as a process of getting bought aka a "beauty contest." I recall watching something on the news special once when I was either in middle or high school about a girl who got kidnapped and was lured into it by a "modeling" job that wasn't real, so it's very important to check things out before agreeing/giving any personal information. I was under the impression that prostitution was legal over there (in Greece), it's not, but sex work apparently is legal if you register to work it as your job (http://www.telegraph.co.uk/women/politics/prostitution-the-hidden-cost-of-greeces-economic-crisis/ You don't have to read the article, I'm just citing the info). The beginning of this movie trailer has shocking statistics as well, and you can see the trailer below:

    The final movie I am going to mention just hit select theaters and was created by the amazing band For King & Country. This movie I feel shed the most light on trafficking in America specifically because the situations etc in this movie reminded me of what I had been trained on during the Superbowl. This whole movie takes place in America and it shows how this is going on right under our noses. The name of the movie is called Priceless. For King & Country, an amazing band has been spreading the message that we are priceless and for men to be respectful and chivalrous. I was fortunate to see this movie and after it's all I could think about and reignited this fire in me. If you live by a theater that is playing it I highly recommend you to go see it, as it just has been released nearly a week ago, if you're reading this after it's out of theaters, I encourage you to see it on DVD or demand once those options are available.  The trailer for this movie is below:

      Ok, so those are the three movies, and I'm going to now give a few websites that have good resources. A few of them will have links to many other links =)

The first two are from the movies mentioned: if you play around on the website it will who you many many sites and resources.
http://pricelessthemovie.com/
http://www.cagednomoremovie.com/home

Here's are a few go to websites for me.
 http://enditmovement.com/
http://www.a21.org/index.php?linkid=2319
https://www.notforsalecampaign.org/

Here's one where you can see about how many slaves work for you-based off of the products you buy
http://slaveryfootprint.org/#where_do_you_live

Here's the link to Klaass Kids as well
http://klaaskids.org/

I have heard of apps too where you can take pictures of hotel rooms to help find girls as well, but need to do more research on what's legit etc first =)

      I hope this post was educational and that you'll watch these movies, visit these sites and help shine a light on slavery today. Find a way to get involved and please spread awareness.

Peace & Love,
            Jalynn (Jessica Lynn)

Feel free to stay updated on Crossroads Corner Facebook

Do you have Nerve?

   Earlier this summer my friend and I got caught up watching youtube videos for example James Corden's Carpool Karaoke and at one point a preview or a movie called "Nerve" showed up. We immediately watched the trailer a few times and said we were going to see it because it seemed like an interesting concept…and  Dave Franco is in it :P

                                         

    So 1-2 months later, it hit theaters and I saw it…twice. The first time was more for fun, to see what ends up actually happening etc.  After I had seen the movie I kept thinking about it, and it occurred to me there were some good lessons…so I saw it again.

   At one point in the movie there is a discussion about insecurity and masks in a sense. As humans we put up masks or certain appearances to hide what's really going on etc. This movie has it's two main female characters. There's the party girl, who plays "Nerve" and actually gets dares that are more like, let's see how embarrassed she can get to make her laugh and others laugh at her, but she'll think it's making her more popular type dares. And then there's the main character who is not a party girl, more reserved but actually gets interesting dares that are more thrilling.  The "party" girl is more popular and outspoken when it comes to school and such but really she's insecure and get's her worth from other people. Where the quiet one (yes, she's trying to prove a point) is more confident in who she is…it's a quiet confidence. I'm not saying this is always the case, but don't estimate us "quiet until you get to know us" girls.

  

  Throughout the show,  you see how much people invest about what others think of them via the game "Nerve" and people will put out appearances on this game, yet they aren't really themselves…similar to what I had mentioned above. So it got me thinking…we don't actually have or play the game "Nerve" - thank God…but we (humans) do the same thing on social media. Many have said this before…but people put their highlight realz out on social media, so it seems like everyone's life is perfect and amazing all the time. I'm not saying life's awful, it's a blessing, but everyone has good times and bad or hard times. It's easy to sit on social media and look at everyone's "highlight realz" and think…I wish I could be more like them, they're always going here or there, look at their cute little family, they are in such great shape…the list goes on…but think about it…how many pictures did that family take to get the perfect shot, getting in shape takes a lot of discipline and work, same with traveling. There is so much more behind the scenes that we don't see and the behind the scenes aren't always pretty…they can be pretty but they aren't always. 

    To push that deeper the second time I saw the movie, I thought about "bullying." I really want to give a spoiler here, but I'm going to do the best I can not to. So the name of the game is "Nerve" and there are watchers and players. The watchers watch and make the dares, and the players attempt to accomplish the dares. A player can complete the dare, fail the dare, or bail. If for some reason you decide to tell the police, you are labeled a snitch…and the phrase is "snitches gets stitches." So I'm watching this movie with these different thrilling dares, but then it takes a dark twist as some of the dares could result in death…now I'm going to pause on the movie and just ponder that aspect and bring it back to real life. So these players are doing these dares given by other people that could potentially lead to death. So today people try and fit other people's molds, or with social media, they try and "fit in" and some time it can lead to really poor choices and if you add the bullying factor into it…what people say about you, rate you, what people are willing to do to fit in can be damaging and can lead to death, so this movie made me think about that hidden message in it.

    So this one part of the movie all these watchers have masks and Vee tells them to basically man up and take off their masks…they don't. They're hiding behind their disguise, their watching name, etc. There's a super powerful part at the end of the movie that I don't want to give away, so I can't fully tie it in, but if you see it, you'll know what I'm talking about and if you haven't hopefully you can still get the just.

   Basically, what you say or do whether hiding behind a mask or social media, or even in person can have catastrophic consequences, so let's have the "Nerve" (see what I did there) to take off our masks and live authentically, rather than behind anything, where you may feel more invincible. Let's start a movement of being real with people and honest, when people ask how we are…open up.  Everyone knows that "fine" does not mean fine. Let's change the world with love, understanding and authenticity.

 Do You Have the Nerve?

Peace & Love,

      Jessica Lynn (Jalynn)

God's Not Dead 2!!

               When I heard there was going to be a God's Not Dead 2!! I was really excited, as I loved the first one God's Not Dead, as well as Do You Believe? I love how in the last few recent years, some very strong faith-based movies have hit the big screen! I hope that people are curious and wander into the theater and see a movie, and want to know more about what this amazing love Jesus has to offer is.

               I don't want to give too much of God's Not Dead 2 away, but I'll share a little about it and the impact. If you've read past posts of mine, you may know that I've taught elementary school. I've taught 6th and 1st grade and have wonderful memories. I was fortunate to work at a public school in a community where faith was important, even if people shared different faiths than each other. Being able to teach there was a blessing, and I've also subbed in a private Christian school, which has been great. But having student taught in straight up public schools, this movie definitely hits home.

               The first movie takes place in a college setting, where the sequel takes place in a high school. During the credits it showed many many court cases that this movie was inspired by. In the movie, a student asks a teacher directly about Jesus, and the teacher answers honestly. I could get into the specifics, but I encourage you to go see the movie instead. The teacher is asked to say that she made a mistake and basically go back on what she said, which she isn't going to do. Those above her leave her no option than to go to court.

              I just want to share one part that really stuck with me during the court hearings. The whole issue of the separation between church and state came up…as well as it's context of when it first came up and what was meant by it. In today's world it means, that they shouldn't co-exist and be completely separate…to independent entities. Here is the context: Thomas Jefferson was writing a letter to a Baptist church assuring them of their religious freedoms and "separation of church and state" was born, meaning the state couldn't control their beliefs…it seems today that the state is trying to do just the opposite of what Jefferson intended. With the current view of "separation between church and state" I find it cool and ironic, that when people are "sworn in" they place there hand on the Bible, no matter what they believe…that's kinda cool.

            This movie also had story lines that continued from the first one, which I enjoyed as it connected the two, yet made the new fresh. New and old characters coming together. And of course, you can't forget the Newsboys singing their new song "Guilty" for this movie as well as the hit and title of these movies "God's Not Dead."
         
           PSA: I need to say this…if you go to the movie…Redbox it or buy it when it comes out… there is an extra scene after the credits. When I saw the movie I didn't know about this and found out later, so please stay for the extra scene =)

          I hope you enjoy the post and enjoy the movie as well. I'll close leaving the trailer for this wonderful movie and message!

         
        Peace and Love,
                             Jalynn (Jessica Lynn)

A Diamond in the Rough

     On a wonderful winter day of January 19, 2016 for $5 movies, at a local Marcus Theater…I saw a movie that still shakes me to this day, more than a week after…and probably will remain one of the few that really moves you. The movie was, 13 Hours: The Secret Soldiers of Benghazi.
             

      Now before you get all defensive on whatever political side you take…hear me out. This movie is not supposed to be or cause a political bloodbath between left and right -> it tells a true story about real men, with real families, with real brotherhood, honor and bravery- where some survived and some lost their lives in a real bloodbath, that lasted 13 hours. Take the politics out of this and see the story of real heroes.

     I have no intentions to make this a long post about details of the movie, and what happens because I believe the movie speaks for itself. With all the war great war movies I've seen, I feel like I've never grasped the question, "Why did he die and I live?" until this movie. It wasn't brought up in the movie, but as I was watching it I couldn't help but think it because the movie does a great job with showing the brotherhood of these men. The movie also did a great job with letting the audience get to know the characters and families. This is one of the few "war" movies where I felt, as a viewer, like I was family or a friend of the guys, because of how the relationships were brought to life in this film. The "why him instead of me" thought popped into my head not because of any type of favoritism, but truly because each one of them worked their butts off equally as hard in those 13 hours and some survived and some didn't.  As a viewer, after seeing this movie there's not a doubt in my mind that these guys would sacrifice their life for their brother, and that is a powerful message.
   
     One more thing that made this movie unique is that some of the survivors  who co-wrote the book, also got to help with the movie. After seeing the movie I watched an interview of the heroes telling about what happened in Benghazi and I felt like I was re-watching the movie. While watching the movie the men referred to this one place right outside of the CIA Annex as "Zombieland"…and while watching the movie I thought, I wonder if Hollywood came up with that name to make it more relevant and eerie." It turns out that is exactly what the guys called it, as Benghazi happened only a few years ago, after t.v. shows like The Walking Dead and the "zombie" craze had already started. Hollywood didn't need use the word "Zombieland" to make it more relevant…it already was.

      It's the truth and brotherhood that grips you. The movie doesn't point fingers at one political party or another (in fact their names aren't even mentioned in the movie)…it is told through the eyes of the soldiers. No matter what side of the political spectrum you're on, please go see this movie, rent or buy it when it's on DVD, to honor the heroes and fallen heroes. The surviving heroes wanted this to be apolitical as possible. So I challenge you to go see this movie that is a diamond in the rough…aka it's being overshadowed by politics.

Below I've attached the trailer, and interview as well as a full interview with some of the survivors.  The movie is rated R for language and violence, so don't take young children =)

            Out of the 2 trailer's released, I personally thought this one was more moving (the one above)

                                            Above is an interview with 3 of the survivors



For those who have fought for us or are still fighting, thank you!


Peace & Love,
                Jessica Lynn