Stephanie Baker- Y.P.P Greater Boston Summer Workshop Facilitator
Issues are never black and white. It is very easy to create a simple solution for a complicated problem when you don't always have the facts, or when you let your emotions blind you from seeing the other side. Opinions change for various reason, whether it be facts, or hearing and/or reading about a personal story. In any case, lack of discussion and sharing breaks down a community. Last Friday, Greater Boston Math Literacy Workers (MLWs) discussed and debated some controversial issues facing themselves and society. From issues of immigration versus citizen rights, to global warming, gay rights , affirmative action, drinking age versus the age you are available to go to war, to felon disenfranchisement, to juvenile criminals cases, Boston MLWs pushed each other and opened each other eyes to different view points.
The Boston MLWs also tackled two important issues, one well known and one unknown to most ; immigration and human trafficking. Opinions on immigration varied. While all believed immigrants have rights, views on government action differed. The balance between government protection and deportation lies in murky waters. But reading two informative articles from the New York Times helped unclear the waters. One article discussed enforcement, while another discussed the conditions in detention centers.
Many MLWs had not heard of human trafficking. Human Trafficking, as defined by the United Nations, is “the recruitment, transportation, transfer, harboring or receipt of persons, by means of the threat or use of force or other forms 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 payments or benefits to achieve the consent of a person having control over another person, for the purpose of exploitation.” An estimated 27 million people live in modern day slavery. It is also on the same level as trafficking in arms and drugs in terms of profit world wide. One article from the news source Global Post told the story of a woman from Mongolia who was promised an education in Korea, but instead upon arrival was forced into prostitution.
However this isn’t an issue that just occurs in Asia, it occurs all over the world, a global crime ring connecting every continent. Boston MLWs also learned that it strikes close to them, many trafficked to the Boston area end up in Allston and Brighton. Once the students realized how these issues touched them, previous notions crumbled. Those who were conservative on immigration issues could not discount learning of the harsh treatment of those in detention centers. And, at first students could not see how human trafficking related to them, until they realized that the problem is on the streets where they live. In a group activity students came up with organizations to combat these issues; ranging from lobbying the government to make detention centers more human to a global campaign to educate the world on human trafficking. Although they may not have all the answers, at least they are educated on the issues and thinking of ways they can help. The begining stages of change is arming yourself and your community with information.
Below are some the Boston MLW views on the issues discussed today,on the arrest of Henry Gates Jr., and on the vist of members from a hip-hop/social justice organization called La Lengua De Mi Barrio that has a netowrk including Columbia, Miami, and Boston.
The big issue with immigration is the conception of illegalness. Human trafficking is degrading. ON the issue of Henry Gates, I know friends that were profiled and lead to incarceration for two to three days. The issue around Henry Gates Jr. ahs to do with haters. Society doesn’t want to see somebody doing better than what is expected of them.
-- Dre, Boston MLW
Today we discussed about Columbia and what is happening out there. We also talked about Henry Gates Jr. and how cops still discriminate. I found out today that Columbia is just like over here but a tiny bit different. I also found cops can write what were they feel like in their record books even if it’s a lie.
--Boston MLW
Today I read an article about Human Trafficking which I didn’t know anything about. I was very surprised about what is happenings in Asia and even here in New England with this issue. It is a big issue that needs to be taken care of. As for the situation in Columbia I had not idea about the warfare occurring there and this discussion opened my eyes to the issues in their country. These two topics made me realize how much is going on in the world today that I don't know about. Today’s activities were very eye openings and I am glad that I was a part of it.
Today an organization based in Columbia came to speak to us about hip-hop adn how it can promote postive issues instead of just negative desires. During our multicultrual conversation I learned things about Columbia I never knew. I never knew that Columbia, for 50 years, has been in Civil War. I was told about the corrupt governemtn and crime lords that I didn't realize still really existed. The discussion was extremely informative and I'm so happy I got to experience something like it.
--Emily McHale, Boston MLW
