It's especially timely, with the film Amazing Grace currently playing in theaters: Revisiting the subject of slavery. It isn't a "wayback" subject, either; some human-rights organizations estimate that there are now more persons living in slavery on this planet than ever before. And they're all over: children sold into servitude by desperate, indebted parents; sex slaves; enslaved prisoners of war.
Gannet Girl, on her blog Search the Sea shares the story of a freed slave. It will make you angry and sad and frustrated and ashamed, all at the same time.
Back when I was a younger chik, at college, I was an active member of Amnesty International; I think I wrote letters on people's behalf every single week. I also sent a few dollars of bottle-deposit money to an organization that helped rehabilitate victims of torture. As happens with many of us, once I became entrenched in the preoccupations of confirmed adulthood, I slowly drifted out of my activism; not because I had become disillusioned -- I thought then, and still think, that these grassroots efforts are not wasted, no matter how small on our parts and how big and scary the problem -- but because I'd gotten busy with the busy-ness of a working adult.
I've said here before that this is a fairly unstructured Lent for me; but one of the things I would like to reincorporate into my life is advocating for people outside my own circle of loved ones and friends and "tribe"; of regaining that outward-reaching way of living that I used to embrace.
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The most recent issue of Christianity Today is all about the subject of slavery in our time. Also, at Sojourner's website you can find a link to a new book called "Not for Sale" that also deals with the subject and what we can and need to be doing.
Peace,
Milton
http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/story?id=2951434&page=1
I saw this on GMA yesterday and was impressed.
go to http://www.invisiblechildren.com/theMovement/ to find a screening of the film "Invisible Children" near you, or to order a copy of the DVD. Be prepared to "have your heart broken by the things that break the heart of God"
did you see Amazing Grace yet. what's it like?
I saw it last night. It was... amazing. Very well done, very moving. Takes a few creative liberties, but none significant IMHO. I liked that it showed Wilberforce's faith-- not just him pontificating "thus saith the Lord" but actually showing how he connected with God thru nature. The presence of John Newton, whether historical or not, was also a plus in my book. The atrocities done in the name of slavery were discussed but never shown, which made it appropriate for children (my 11 year old got a lot out of it). There's even some bits of humor (e.g. a few well-formed bon mots for his opponents in Parliament, and one I won't give away) that were appropriate and didn't detract from the overall significance of the message.
I think it's going to be awhile before this film percolates up into Outer Podunk territory...but I'm looking forward to it.
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