Something's Gotta Give: The American Higher Education System

My final college English paper, a "researched argument of fact", in which I argue that the American higher education system is in need of a revitalization.

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Something’s Gotta Give: The American Higher Education System

College. University. Higher education is known by many names and faces. But, as high school students near graduation, pressures and demands regarding higher education, and the futures come into the picture. Just what is the point of higher education? Is a degree worth all that much in todays job market? Is it too much of a gamble to fall into student loans to pay for a future that is so uncertain? As prices rise, scholarships change, funding disappears, and disillusionment and cynicism rise, students are calling for a change. It’s time for a revitalization in higher education.

There is a great societal impression upon us that a higher education - read a degree - is imperative to success not only as far as our careers go, but the rest of our lives. The key to middle class, as it were. In fact, “The completion of postsecondary education has become a minimum requirement for young adults seeking a place in America’s middle class” (Quinterno 4). However, despite the pressure to go to college, no matter what it takes, at the same time there is something of a conflict in the “advice” of society, such is a pressure felt by many students. It is shown here expressed in this tumblr “chat” post. One blogger demonstrates a students feelings regarding this societal pressure and conflict. 

The post has since garnered 136,114 “notes”; notes being the amount of times other users have favorited and shared the post on their own blogs. The “notes” continue to rise. While not every single person in the United States of America expresses such an opinion - and such a generalization is just that, a generalization - from the statistics for the post alone it can be said that there are many students who share these feelings.

Academic pressure abounds. While this isn’t anything new for the high school students of today, higher education brings with it an even heavier pressure to succeed (Kadison; DiGeronimo). To pass, even if you’re not truly absorbing knowledge or pursuing something you have an interest in. 

Over the past decade alone, major changes have come about in the economy of the United States. A disturbing amount of funding for colleges has been cut. As far as higher education is concerned, the cost of college has risen, scholarships have changed and even disappeared; all the while the average income of the middle class American has not seen much of a rise. “Although the incomes of the bulk of American households stagnated over the past two decades, the price of higher education escalated steadily” (Quinterno). 

Despite the fact that the majority of students enrolled in higher education are attending public, two-year colleges it is these very same colleges that “cuts in spending on instruction are deepest in” (Wellman).

Textbooks, while not considered a part of tuition, are an additional and major expense that takes its toll on students. In an article for The Huffington Post, one Tyler Kingkade writes “College textbook prices have increased faster than tuition, health care costs and housing prices, all of which have risen faster than inflation.” In the last 30 years the price of textbooks has gone up by 812% ,  frighteningly faster than the 559% increase in tuition and fees (qtd. in Kingkade). Sadly, textbooks don’t even hold their value. Within 3 years, what was once a new, high priced, textbook can already be a thing of the past, as classes require the new editions the industry has already produced. 

New editions are released on average every 3.9 years, but a 2008 report from the California state auditor found many college deans, department chairs and faculty members admitted revisions to textbooks are often minimal and not always warranted (qtd. in Kingkade).

In speaking with adults - who are considered both middle-aged, and middle-class - the general consensus among those who did not attend a college or university, but instead pursued job and career opportunities straight out of high school, is that they made the right choice. They found themselves already in well paying, management positions, in their careers by the time friends who attended college or university were graduating. When those who attended college reached graduation, they were already into their 20‘s, with loans to pay off, little or not job experience, and finding it difficult to secure employment. Many of those who did pursue higher education are just now, upwards of 25 years after graduating from a college or university, are finally nearing, or successfully paying off loans taken out to pay for their education.

Many debtors over 40 are still paying balances from college years ago, while their home values and savings have declined sharply in recent years. Some have stopped payments after losing jobs. Many parents—no longer able to tap home equity to pay for their children's education—are taking out new student loans to do so (Mitchell).

How frightening is it that the rest of one’s life can be so immeasurably defined and impacted by the attempting to further education after high school? According to recent data, the number of American’s with student debt shot up in 2012; from 23 million in 2005, all the way to 37 million (qtd. in Mitchell). 

Students therefore have turned to debt as a means of bridging the gap between attendance costs and available financial aid resources. It is unsurprising, then, that the volume of outstanding student loan debt has grown by a factor of 4.5 since 1999 and that Americans now collectively owe more in outstanding student loan debt than credit card debt (Quinterno 28).

What comes after college? Higher education seems to be viewed as something where the ends justify the means. But is the massive debt worth a degree, and does a degree truly guarantee success in life, and the job market? 

...there is growing anxiety in America about higher education. A degree has always been considered the key to a good job. But rising fees and increasing student debt, combined with shrinking financial and educational returns, are undermining at least the perception that university is a good investment (“Not what it used to be”.

 Back in the day, having secured a degree or some form of higher education made you stand out. It said that this was someone who values knowledge and has the drive to commit to succeed. In an article published in The Economist, the writer expresses that American higher education is “Not what it used to be” (“Not what it used to be”). However, in today’s world, having a degree from an institution of higher education is rather commonplace. Uncollege.org, posits essentially that because so much of the working population has gone, or is going to college, a degree no longer guarantees success (UnCollege.org/about). Erika Andersen, in her article for Forbes.com expresses that “in the US, we over-rely on time spent in school as a measure of intelligence…and of fitness for a job.” As it is, many subjects are considered something that a student will not find employment in. In one such instance, via Forbes, Peter Cohan goes so far as to suggest that some subjects should be altogether removed from higher education, just to avoid post-college un-employment, “...cut out the departments offering majors that make students unemployable.” While such a suggestion is drastic - and quite possibly detrimental to the overall growth of knowledge on a personal basis - as far as having a better chance of a job after college, he’s not necessarily wrong. “...academia’s effort to preserve its special exemption from the laws of economics is becoming too burdensome for many students, parents, and lenders to bear” (Cohan).

There are, however, alternatives to the higher education system of today. One of which has been around for centuries, but has sadly been pushed aside and frowned upon. The apprenticeship. “Largely overlooked...apprenticeships offer a promising route for preparing...students for high-skilled jobs and professions.” In her paper on apprenticeships and the place they could have in American higher education, author Diane Auer Jones suggests something slightly different from what we all feel and know; “maybe college isn’t broken”. 

Pressure to go to college can be great. Students may have heard from parents, high-school staff, elected officials, and the media that only by going to college can they enjoy a financially secure future and social prestige...[But] the college experience may not be a good fit for all students (Jones 1). 

Sadly there are students considered “at-risk”. Students who deal with learning disabilities such as ADD, ADHD and dyslexia, for example, do not learn in the same way as the average student and benefit as “kinesthetic learners” in the environment an apprenticeship provides (Jones 1). Not only do apprenticeships offer a way of learning better suited to those who need to understand the real-world applications of what they’re being taught, but they also bridge that gap between school, and working to pay for it. “For apprentices...school is work and work is school, so learning and working occupy the same space and time, rather than competing for attention” (Jones 2).

Forbes, one of the worlds most acknowledgeable in the world of business and finance, has a website that can be found surprisingly packed full of articles introducing the wisdom of postponing, or even avoiding going to college altogether. 

In “Do I Really Need To Go To College?” Erika Andersen writes, “I’m convinced there are some people for whom college is simply not the best way to learn.” 

“Why You Should Postpone College” writer Brett Nelson writes, 

I propose a theoretical pre-college regimen called “grownup training”...Specifically: six months spent working in a factory, six in a restaurant, six on a farm and six in the military or performing another public service such as building houses, teaching algebra or changing bedpans.

Essentially, a “gap year” or, in this case, two involving learning and gathering work experience and knowledge in the real world before committing to college.

All the while, not attending an institution of higher education at all is also an option (Schlack).

So what is the solution? While I am only a student aspiring to further my knowledge, and myself do not have the experience to definitively suggest a solution, it’s safe to say that there is something wrong with the way the higher education system is operating. Lack of funding, societal pressures, the financial situations of most students, the high costs of an education, economic and career stability, all have lead to a growing cynicism and disillusionment. It’s time for a revitalization in education. 

I propose, perhaps it may oversimplify a complex and pressing issue, and what I’m proposing would be no small feat; but what if higher education was not just seen as something you have to do, but a way to expand your mind and prepare you for your future? What if college didn’t cost an insane amount of money that will take you a lifetime to pay? What if instead of having to invest money in general classes, students were only required to take classes directly relevant to their chosen career or degree; thus cutting down on costs. True, some students require general studies, but many are very similar, if not in some ways, the same as what was (supposed) to have been taught in high school. What if general studies were the electives?

What if the higher education system were to evolve and merge with apprenticeships to create degree programs that not only instill knowledge, but also real world application and experience. All while focusing on the things that are of direct import to the students area of study and chosen career.

What if? 

It’s time for a revitalization in higher education.

Works Cited

Andersen, Erika. “Do You really Need To Go To College?” Forbes. Forbes.com LLC, 6 August 2012. Web. 1 June 2013.

Cohan, Peter. “To Boost Post-College Prospects, Cut Humanities Departments.” Forbes. Forbes.com LLC, 29 May 2012. Web. 1 June 2013.

Jones, Diane Auer. "Apprenticeships Back to the Future." Issues in Science and Technology 27.4 (2011): 51-6. ProQuest. Web. 24 May 2013.

Kadison, Richard, Theresa Foy DiGeronimo. “Academic Pressures at College.” Education.com. John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 2004. Web. 24 May 2013.

Kingkade, Tyler. “College Textbook Prices Increasing Faster Than Tuition and Inflation.” The Huffington Post. TheHuffingtonPost.com, Inc. 4 January 2013. Web. 1 June 2013.

Mitchell, Josh. “Student Debt Hits The Middle-Aged.” The Wall Street Journal.Dow Jones & Company, Inc. 17 July 2012. Web. 3 June 2013.

Nelson, Brett. “Why You Should Postpone College.” Forbes. Forbes.com LLC, 25 January 2012. Web. 1 June 2013.

“Not What It Used To Be.” The Economist 1 Dec. 2012. Print.

Quinterno, John. “The Great Cost Shift: How Higher Education Cuts Undermine The Future Middle Class.” Dēmos. Dēmos, 3 April 2013. Web. 23 May 2013.

Schlack, Lawrence B. “Not Going to College is a Viable Option.” Education.com. American Association of School Administrators. Web. 24 May 2013.

Uncollege.org/about. Uncollege.org, 5 April 2013. Web. 1 June 2013.

“The United States of America on college education.” Tumblr. Web. 1 June 2013.

Wellman, Jane V. "THE HIGHER EDUCATION FUNDING DISCONNECT: Spending More, Getting Less." Change 2008: 18-25. ProQuest. Web. 24 May 2013 .

we're not just seniors, we're graduates

My Facebook is a-flood with prom and senior pictures.
Graduation announcements are being sent, and I am realizing.
I'm realizing that a chapter is closing. Maybe more, maybe an entire volume is closing.
Because we're graduating, all of us. My friends who already have, and those who are, even those who I've grown apart from, we're seniors now.
There's so much ending. And despite how close we have, or haven't been, we are nearing a parting of ways which is likely to take us all in so many different directions.
Many of us will never see each other again.

We're not just seniors, we're graduates.
We're adults.

There's this great big future ahead of us filled with decisions, and opportunities.

We've all gone through so much, and life is just beginning. Our stories don't end here.

And even though it's close to the bit I shared for last year's graduates, I don't think it's lost it's meaning.
I'm home schooled, I don't get a graduation ceremony. So sit back for the cliche but (hopefully) ultimately meaningful, because this is my podium.

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to us, the graduates

We've done it. Somehow we've managed to successfully navigate the stormy sea that is not only school, and highschool, but a good portion of our lives.

While it's painful being on the receiving end of my pun-shenanigans, con"grad"ulations.

Now, has cliche and potentially unwelcome as it may be to attempt to impart these bits of wisdom I've managed picked up along the way; I have found that we, the human race, are a fickle and forgetful bunch. As such we need to not only be reminded of things but to have them continually pounded into our heads.
Preferably by someone who cares.
So onward I write.

Firstly, one of the great lessons of life (and high school) is thus, "we can't control the things that happen to us, but we can control how we respond to them".
Perspective is everything. We can choose to take what life inevitably throws at us, and allow ourselves to be made bitter and give up or we can have it be a step to take us higher. To build ourselves up and make us better. Everything is a choice.

Secondly, people are people and you can never make everyone happy.
There's always going to be someone who will complain about, belittle, and mocks us. It's not just high school, it's life.
As someone who's actually been working and doing some college classes for a while now, I can say it's pretty messy and doesn't change much.
Because unfortunately, there's people like that everywhere, everyday.
It's where that perspective thing I just mentioned comes into play. We can let them tear us down, or we can just let it be motivation to be strong and move on.

Thirdly, "Remember what you've learned in the light, and never doubt it, even if you spend years in the dark."
There are up's and down's. Welcome to life. I know it's one of the hardest things to do, but always try to remember the good, the positive, and hold onto it; especially when things are bad. Don't let the time of darkness make you lose sight and forget all the good that has happened, and all that is just around the corner.
Don't give up, this isn't the end.

Fourthly, this isn't the end.
As the ever cliche, but still usefully truthful saying goes, "When God closes a door, He opens a window."
And, in one of my few and far between moments of what could be called a philosophical-wisdom, I have can be quoted as saying:
"endings are just beginnings wrapped in strange packages".
Strangely, that seems to have a deep, inherent meaning; and I think that maybe, just maybe, I was onto something.
It's so easy - especially when we're young - to let little things stand in our way, let little things feels like "the end of the world".
Well, here's the thing, endings aren't all bad, and chapters have to end for new one's to begin.
Endings are just beginnings wrapped in strange packages.

Fifthly, "when life gives you lemons..."
Okay, we all know where this could go.
Bear with me, because as a person who - as I image to be sarcastic and slightly pessimistic - penned somewhere: "When life gives you lemons...throw them at people".
(Please feel free to laugh here.)
So whether we decide to throw the lemons at people, or make lemonade; take a step back, keep perspective in mind, and just use those dang lemons. Heck, lemons make everyday water different.
Just use the lemons.

Lastly, as my penchant for Latin dictates, I want to share words I carry with me, and thus feel I should impart in closing.

carpe diem // patientia // memento mori // memento vivre.
seize the day (with) patience (and) endurance (despite) suffering. remember mortality (and) remember to live.

All that I've said, choose to take it or leave it, listen to me or not.
Everything's a choice.
Let's just use the lemons, okay?

why I'm frustrated with young adult literature

As someone who was once an avid reader, I no longer feel compelled to call myself thus.

And it really makes me sad.

You see, there was once a time when the best punishment my mother could, well, punish me with was to take away my reading books.

Nowadays it's rare that I'm actually reading a book.

No, I haven't given up reading all together. There will forever be books that I hold dear.

But with the state of "literature" in this day and age is kind of depressing.

A good example is a series that I just finished. The Tigers Curse series by Colleen Houck.
While I would have to say that the series is a favorite it still falls prey to being much like the majority of other young adult books.

Originally I started the series with the first book of the same title, Tigers Curse. It intrigued me for a few reasons. At the time, it was extremely hard to find a newer book that didn't involve vampires and werewolves. While such is still true the plot took a more original twist.

It's about two Indian princes who are cursed to live immortally as tigers.
And of course the seemingly normal girl who, while working her new summer job, finds herself caught up in the adventure of a lifetime to break the curse binding them in tiger-form.
I mean, she's from Oregon, I'm from Oregon.
I could connect right off with that.

Sounds kind of awesome, right?

Well the first book really was. I enjoyed it immensely.

Basically Kelsey (the main character) gets a summer job working for the circus that is in town for those few, warmer months. It's manual labor, cleaning things, selling tickets, helping feed animals; all that fun stuff.
But along the way she befriends the circus' white tiger. And during her breaks spends her time reading out loud in the solace of the tent that holds the cage of the white tiger.
This white tiger, of course, is one of the aforementioned Indian princes.

While I would warn of spoilers, trust me, all this becomes rather apparent a short ways into the book...most of it can be found in the description on the book anyway.

Kelsey of course is more special than she knows because there is something about her that sets in motion the breaking of the curse. And the tiger she knows as Ren is able - for the first time in hundreds of years - to change back into a man.

But only for an hour.

And so the story begins.
As you would imagine, he is incredibly handsome and thank goodness, Kelsey doesn't really trust that and there's a lot of pretty good arguments and banter along the way.
But we all know where it's headed. Destiny and them being meant to be together...all that jazz.

So it was pretty cool.

But then...along the way (at this point it may be book two, though I could very well be mistaken) they have to find Ren's brother; Kishan to help in the quest to break the curse.

Kishan of course is something of Ren's opposite, literally a black tiger to his elder brothers white, however also incredibly handsome.

Then it kind of get's cliche in this awkward, heart wrenching, love triangle kind of way.

Over the course of the next three books (there are four total in the series) there's all this "which brother do I choose" and "who am I meant to be with" and "there's these two gorgeous, perfect guys who both love me" stuff going on.

And it's kind of sickening.
And it kind of made me hate Kelsey a lot.
A lot.

I really liked her in the first book.
Then...it kind of went downhill.

The basis of the stories is really cool. The writing isn't half bad. Sure there's some false Hindi gods and legends stuff going on but it's a really interesting plot line in the light of current franchises *cough*Twilight*cough*.

But I just was having serious difficulty stomaching this girl who has two guys completely in love with her and all this "coincidence" and asdfghjkl.sdfghjkl;

Yes, I just died on my keyboard. Because it frustrates me. Love triangles, while a common occurrence and a valid part of writing, are so used and abused that I just want a good quest story that maybe doesn't involve so much romantical blah.

I know I sound like some spinster or something, and I know that it's just fiction, I just hate when characters (especially main-girl-potentially-awesome-powerful-heroine characters) are just crazy stupid.
I know the insecurities and guy issues are a real thing, but the portrayal of how all this stuff works in next to every book I lay my hands is starting to frustrate me to the point of...well, to the point of writing this post.

I feel like I should have a disclaimer at this point. I did finish the series. I cried several times during the course of all the books. Especially at the ending of the final one. I'll probably end up reading them again at some point. In fact there's a good chance that I'd recommend it as a whole.

It's just that this series frustrated me and it's on the better end of the spectrum of young adult literature.

Why aren't there any awesome books (that I haven't already read) that...well...don't involve a girl who has completely invested her life into the lives (if they can be called lives) of guys that may-or-may-not be hundreds of years old and/or even worth it.

It seems to be a theme these days.

Guys get movies and stories about epic adventures where it's just a buddy thang.
Why don't girls get those?

While this post probably doesn't make much sense, hopefully to someone, it will.
Anybody?

to the graduates

Wow. You've done it. Somehow you have successfully navigated the stormy sea that is not only school, and highschool, but a good portion of life.

Forgive my pun-ness, con"grad"ulations.

Now, has cliche and potentially unwelcome as it may be to attempt to impart these bits of wisdom I have picked up along the way; I have found that the human race is a fickle and forgetful people and as such we need to not only be reminded of things but to have them continually pounded into our heads.
Preferably by someone who cares.
So onward I write.

Firstly, one of the great lessons of life (and high school) is thus, "we can't control the things that happen to us, but we can control how we respond to them".
Perspective is everything. We can choose to take what life throws at us and allow ourselves to be made bitter and give up or we can have it be a step to take us higher. To build ourselves up and make us better. Everything is a choice.

Secondly, people are people and you can never make everyone happy.
There's always going to be someone that complains about, belittles and mocks you. It's not just high school, it's life. Unfortunately, there's people like that everywhere, everyday.
It's where that perspective thing I just mentioned comes into play. We can let them tear us down, or we can just let it be motivation to be strong and move on.

Thirdly, "Remember what you've learned in the light, and never doubt it, even if you spend years in the dark."
There are up's and down's. Welcome to life. And while it's one of the hardest things to do, remember the good, the positive and hold onto it; especially when things are bad. Don't let the time of darkness make you lose sight and forget all the good that has happened and is just around the corner.
Don't give up, this isn't the end.

Fourthly, this isn't the end.
As the ever cliche, but still usefully truthful saying goes, "When God closes a door, He opens a window."
And In one of my few and far between moments of philosophical wisdom I have can be quoted as saying: "endings are just beginnings wrapped in strange packages".
And strangely, that has some deep meaning and I think that maybe, just maybe, I was onto something.
It's so easy, especially when we're young, to let little things stand in our way, let little things be "the end of the world". Well, endings aren't all bad and chapters have to end for new one's to begin.
Endings are just beginnings wrapped in strange packages.

Fifthly, "when life gives you lemons..."
Okay, we all know where this could go.
Bear with me because as a I person I would image to be sarcastic and slightly pessimistic penned somewhere: "When life gives you lemons...throw them at people".
So whether you decide to throw the lemons at people or make lemonade; take a step back, remember perspective and just use those dang lemons. Heck, lemons make everyday water different.
Just use the lemons.

And lastly, as my penchant for Latin dictates, I feel I should impart these words in closing.

carpe diem // patientia // memento mori // memento vivre.

seize the day (with) patience (and) endurance (despite) suffering. remember mortality (and) remember to live.

All that I've said, choose to take it or leave it, choose to listen to me or not. 

Everything's a choice.

Just use the lemons, eh?

undefinable...blah

I realize I haven't posted in almost a month.

There are many excuses I could make: I kept getting sick a lot, new semester and a class at the highschool.

But, there really is no excuse, because it was mostly laziness.

Okay, and general uninspired-ness. But mostly laziness.

And I'll admit it.

Sometimes, I just don't have words for everyone else.
Sometimes, I barely even write in my journal because there's no words for me either.
Sometimes, this writer is word-less.

Everything seems stale, slow...almost like molasses; when there's no words.

No words with meaning anyway.

There's all these things I've been meaning to do, want to do, should do...but it seems like I never...have the time?

Have the will?

I hate it when everything seems so...blah.

Of course, this will either make complete sense to you or you'll be reading this wondering whether or not I'm sane.

That's something I've been asking myself actually.

And the answer is, honestly...I don't know.

Who's to say anyone is sane or anyone is crazy? Normal, beautiful and sane are at least three things I personally feel are indefinable. Changed by the bias and experience of the person in question.

Besides, doesn't every "crazy" person say to themselves or others "I'm not crazy"?

Sorry for my rambling somewhat philosophical post...it's just all I have in me right now. 

boycott SOPA

So, I had to look up SOPA on Wikipedia, and ask my parents about it, but now that I know what it is I've decided to join the 24 hour boycott on January 18th (tomorrow).

Which means starting tonight at midnight and running until midnight on the 19th, Concrete & Grace is going to be completely shut down along with Wikipedia and many other websites and social networks.

To my other bloggie friends I encourage you to do so as well.

blessings~

No religion, just relationship.

This is Spoken Word.

This is truth.

Please watch.

human trafficking awareness day

January 11th is human trafficking awareness day. 
Some of you may remember in November when I posted a paper I wrote for English 101 about modern slavery.


Well, that was only a rough draft of the paper, and for my final portfolio it was revised and better.


And since today is human trafficking awareness day, I wanted to share the article, finished and as a whole.

In Plain Sight: Modern Slavery

            Human trafficking. Two words that to some, have meaning. Others may only have an inkling of what it is those words mean, while some don’t even know. Human trafficking didn’t end in the United States with the abolishment of slavery. Human trafficking still happens, and not just on a national level. But in our cities, our neighborhoods, our backyards: in plain sight. We can sit back and wish things like that don’t happen. Or, we can open our eyes to what is going on and in turn, learn and open the eyes of others. Together, we can end slavery.

            What is human trafficking? Essentially, human trafficking is the illegal trade of human beings: modern slavery. Human trafficking is a transnational crime, meaning it happens in multiple countries the world over. While human trafficking itself is illegal, it happens for the purpose of other crimes. Sexual exploitation is the most media recognized, but people are also trafficked for forced labor; a crime just as terrible and prevalent as sexual slavery and exploitation.

            People of all ages, genders, nationalities and walks of life can be victims of human trafficking. In 2005 the International Labor Organization estimated the minimum number of persons in trafficking situations to be 2.45 million. Out of that, an approximate 45,000–50,000 of those persons are trafficked through the United States annually (Obuah 1), with the United States among the top 10 destinations for human trafficking (Hepburn; Simon 3). The exact number trafficked through the U.S. every year can only be estimated.

            Many times, victims of human trafficking are brought to America under false pretenses. The promise of employment, education or marriage is extremely tempting (Reed). Other victims of human trafficking may have been kidnapped from off the streets, something that happens to children for the purpose of sexual exploitation (“Love146…Child Trafficking Facts”).

More often than not, people in trafficking situations are kept in living conditions that are unhealthy both physically and mentally; forced to work for hours on end (Reed) without breaks and given little or no food and clean water (Hepburn; Simon 5).

Traffickers keep a handle on their victims through confiscating travel documents, regular rape, beatings, threats upon them and their families, debt bondage, and even through the use of drugs (Obuah 8).

            Why does human trafficking happen? It’s a simple incentive old as man kind: greed.  Believe it or not, the trafficking of persons is an extremely lucrative business for traffickers with profits in the billions, and little or no risk to those who commit the crime. In fact, the trafficking of women is even more profitable than the international drugs and arms trade (Obuah 10). The International Labor Office estimated human trafficking to have an annual worldwide profit of $44.3 billion dollars (Hepburn; Simon 2).

Because of the sex industry traffickers, pimps, and their seedy associates aren’t the only to profit from human trafficking. Some of the biggest U.S. corporations earn tens of millions in profits from the distribution of pornography; pornography that because of lax regulation often illegally uses underage and trafficked persons (Hepburn; Simon 4).

While sexual exploitation and slavery make up a large part of human trafficking, it’s not the only form of modern slavery. The reality is that forced labor is just as bad as sexual slavery, but “Since the general activities—[such as] domestic work, farming, factory work, or restaurant work—are all legal activities, there is a perception that ‘it’s not as bad as sex trafficking’, because in sex trafficking people are being forced into an illegal activity (qtd. in Hepburn; Simon 12).”

            Trafficking of humans can, and does, happen right under our noses. In the words of Kathleen Morris: “We think of it [prostitution] as a shady business, but the brothels are often homes in residential neighborhoods” (qtd. in Reed). In October 2011 a Rhode Island man was arrested on human trafficking charges, for enticing a 17 year old girl to perform sex acts for money (Sotnik). Around the same time in Connecticut a man is facing life for prostituting a 14 year old girl (“Man Faces Life for Prostituting a Minor”). Modern slavery happens, and it’s closer than you think.

            Human trafficking is a problem that spans country and continent, so what can we do about it? If knowledge truly is power then the first thing we can do is educate ourselves on the subject. Websites and organizations like HumanTrafficking.org, Love146 (love146.org), and the International Labor Organization (ilo.org) all have an abundance of information on the subjects of human trafficking, modern slavery, child labor, forced labor, and sexual slavery. Every year the United States government releases a Trafficking in Persons report which ranks countries based on efforts taken in the fight against trafficking.

            Knowledge on the subject is a key part in understanding and opening eyes to the realities of human trafficking and modern slavery. But knowledge of warning signs someone may be a victim are equally important. In her article on human trafficking for “Seattle Woman Magazine”, Wenda Reed provides some red flags to look for if there’s a chance someone may be a victim of modern slavery. For example if someone is kept isolated, has had their travel documents or identification taken away from them or are not allowed money.

            As American citizens the few things we have control over is how we spend our time and money. The corporations that profit tens of billions by distributing pornography include the Time Warner, Hilton, Westin, AT&T and Marriott companies (Hepburn; Simon 4). Because of the aforementioned lax regulations on pornography and the American sex industry, it’s reasonable that by supporting these companies and others it supports human trafficking and sexual exploitation of persons. Next time you go to spend your hard earned money, try researching who you’re buying from and find out what your money may be supporting.

            There are also organizations that have a heart and drive to aid in the rescue of victims of human trafficking. Love146 is an organization dedicated to raising awareness and resources to combat child sex trafficking. World Vision is a humanitarian organization dedicated to working with children, families, and their communities worldwide to reach their full potential by tackling the causes of poverty and injustice; including human and sex trafficking. Check out these organizations and research others (make sure they’re real!) to find out what you can do to make a difference, whether it’s volunteering time or money.  

Love146 has suggestions about getting involved by joining a Love146 Task Force who meet monthly to educate themselves and raise awareness about child sex slavery as well as hold fundraisers for Love146. You can also partner with Love146, giving money to help in the prevention of child sex slavery and provide aftercare for victims. These are only two of the ways to help Love146 in the battle against child sex slavery and exploitation, with more available on their website.

World Vision has various suggestions on how to get involved in fighting human trafficking, everything from calling your members of congress to support the Trafficking Victims Protection act, to gifting money to help save sexually exploited girls. Merely search ‘trafficking’ on the World Vision website and there is an abundance of resources.

Still yet, all these numbers and statistics cannot even come to show just what is happening and the evils of modern slavery and human trafficking. The number of people victimized and the amount of profit from human trafficking can only ever be guessed at.

We all like to think that bad things don’t happen; at least not in our communities, our cities, or our nation. But the fact of the matter is human trafficking happens everywhere. No matter where you live, human trafficking exists in some way, shape, or form. We come in contact with it everyday though we may not even realize (Obauh 3). We have the choice to continue in our normalcy, preferring to avoid what’s happening. Or, we can choose to educate ourselves and others to the reality that human trafficking happens everywhere; and it’s something that together, we can end.

---

Works Cited

Hepburn, Stephanie; Simon, Rita J. “Hidden in Plain Sight: Human Trafficking in the United States.” Springer Science & Business Media. 27.1-2 (2010): 1-26. Proquest Research Library. Feature. 29 October 2011.

“Love146.org United States Child Trafficking Facts”. New Haven, CT: Love146 2009. Love146.org. Web. 29 October 2011.

“Man faces life for prostituting a minor”. News 8. LIN Television Corporation, 25 October 2011. Web. 29 October 2011.

Obuah, Emmanuel. “Combating Global Trafficking in Persons: the Role of the United States Post September 2001”. Palgrave Macmillan. 43.2 (2006):241-265. Proquest Research Library. Feature. 29 October 2011.

Reed, Wenda. “Slaves Among Us: Human Trafficking in the Seattle Area.” Seattle Woman. Caliope Publishing Company, 2010. Web. 27 October 2011.

Sotnik, Kathryn. “Man arrested in human trafficking case”. WPRI.com. LIN Television Corporation, 25 October 2011 Web. 28 October 2011.

Harry Potter

my books

I have something to say.
Something many people find controversial. Something that will probably cause more than one of you to stop following my blog.

It's about Harry Potter.
I've read Harry Potter, I love the books, the movies, and have grown up with the story.

Do I look at Harry Potter as evil? Not anymore than anything else.

In this recent article the exorcist for the Catholic church said that "Harry Potter and yoga are evil."

Well, I don't have an opinion on yoga as I haven't done any research into the matter but I do have an opinion about what he's said of Harry Potter.

His premise is that "In Harry Potter the devil acts in a crafty and covert manner" and “Practising yoga is satanic, it leads to evil just like reading Harry Potter".

You know what? Satan can use the Bible just as much as Harry Potter to make people do evil things. What I'm saying is that Satan can use Harry Potter, but only as much as the next thing. In fact, Satan has worked through the bible to make people do evil things; slavery, the crusades, polygamy...shall I go on?

Did I mention this is coming from a man whose "favorite film is the 1973 horror classic, The Exorcist." and PROMOTES HORROR MOVIES such as "The Rite, a film about exorcism starring Sir Anthony Hopkins as a Jesuit priest."

It seems pretty stupid to me, saying that satan can work through Harry Potter as if it's the worst and only outlet.

In Plain Sight: Modern Slavery

 (this is my most recent paper for my college English 101 class)

In Plain Sight: Modern Slavery

          Human trafficking. Two words that to some, have meaning. Others may only have an inkling of what it is those words mean. While some, don’t even know. Human trafficking didn’t end in this country with the abolishment of slavery and importation of slaves. Human trafficking still happens, and not just in our country or others. But in our cities, our neighborhoods, our backyards; and so often we miss it. We can sit back and wish all we want that things like that just don’t happen. Or, we can open our eyes to what is going on and in turn, learn and open the eyes of others. Together, we can end slavery.

            What exactly is human trafficking? Essentially, human trafficking is the illegal trade of human beings: modern slavery. Human trafficking is a transnational crime, meaning it happens in multiple countries the world over. The crime of human trafficking can be for the purposes of selling people for other crimes; sexual exploitation being the most media recognized, but also for forced labor; a crime just as terrible and prevalent as sexual slavery and exploitation.

            People of all ages, genders, nationalities and walks of life can find themselves a victim of human trafficking. The exact number of people trafficked can only be estimated, and in 2005 the International Labor Organization estimated the minimum number of persons in trafficking situations to be 2.45 million. Out of that, an estimated 45,000–50,000 of those persons are trafficked through the United States annually (qtd. in Obuah 1). The United States is among the top 10 destinations for human trafficking (qtd. in Hepburn; Simon 3). In fact, the exact number trafficked through the U.S. every year can only be estimated. However, the majority of persons being trafficked are women and children. “Traffickers often prey on individuals who are poor, unemployed or underemployed, and who may lack access to social safety nets” (qtd. in Obuah 6).

            Victims of human trafficking are often brought to America under false pretenses. The promise of employment, education or marriage can be very tempting (qtd. in Reed). Other victims of human trafficking may have been kidnapped from off the streets, something that happens often to children for the purpose of sexual exploitation (qtd. in “Love146…Child Trafficking Facts”).

More often than not, people in trafficking situations are kept in living conditions that are unhealthy both physically and mentally: forced to work for hours on end (qtd. in Reed) without breaks and given little or no food and clean water (Hepburn; Simon 5).

Victims are often kept enslaved through the trafficker using their “debt” against them. First, victims may be offered employment with a pricey fee to gain the position. After victims have successfully been ensnared, traffickers will charge exorbitant fees for food, housing and other miscellaneous expenses, further indebting the victims (Hepburn; Simon 4, 5). Other ways pimps keep a handle on their victims is through confiscating travel documents, regular rape, beatings, threats upon them and their families and even through the use of drugs (qtd. in Obuah 8).

            While you may be wondering just why it is that human trafficking happens, it goes back to one of the oldest reasons in the book: greed. Believe it or not, the trafficking of persons is an extremely lucrative business for traffickers - i.e. “pimps” - with profits in the billions, and little or no risk to the people committing the crime. In fact, the trafficking of women is even more profitable than the international drugs and arms trade (qtd.  in Obuah 10). Still others estimate that that traffickers profit between $10 and $12 billion dollars annually. And that figure doesn’t even take into consideration the benefits gained by industries and factories who use slave labor (Obuah 10). Even still, the International Labor Office estimated an annual worldwide profit of $44.3 billion (qtd. in Hepburn; Simon 2).

Because of the sex industry traffickers, pimps, and their seedy associates aren’t the only one’s who profit from human trafficking. Some of the biggest U.S. corporations earn tens of millions in profits from the distribution of pornography; pornography that because of lax regulation often illegally uses underage and trafficked persons (Hepburn; Simon 4).

While sexual exploitation and slavery make up a large part of human trafficking, it’s not the only reason traffickers have for doing what they do. 98% of trafficking victims forced into commercial sexual exploitation are women and girls and the 2% left being men and boys (qtd. in Hepburn; Simon 2). But there is also forced labor, 56% of victims being women and girls with 44% being men and boys (qtd. in Hepburn; Simon 2).

The reality is that forced labor is just as bad as sexual slavery.

Since the general activities—[such as] domestic work, farming, factory work, or restaurant work—are all legal activities, there is a perception that ‘it’s not as bad as sex trafficking’, because in sex trafficking people are being forced into an illegal activity (qtd. in Hepburn; Simon 12).

            Trafficking of humans can, and does, happen right under our noses. In fact, “We think of it [prostitution] as a shady business, but the brothels are often homes in residential neighborhoods” (qtd. in Reed). In October 2001 a Rhode Island man was arrested on human trafficking charges, for enticing a 17 year old girl to perform sex acts for money (Sotnik). Around the same time in Connecticut a man is facing life for prostituting a 14 year old girl (“Man faces life for prostituting a minor”). Modern slavery happens, and it happens right here in our country.

            Human trafficking is a problem that spans country and continent. So what can a person like you or I do about it? Well, if knowledge is power the first thing we can do is educate ourselves on the subject. Websites and organizations like HumanTrafficking.org, Love146 (love146.org), the International Labor Organization (ilo.org), all have an abundance of information on the subjects of human trafficking, modern slavery, child labor, forced labor, and sexual slavery. Every year the United States government releases a Trafficking in Persons report. “The report gives weight to concrete actions by the US government to combat trafficking and uses a three-tier system to rank countries” (qtd. Obuah 13). The 2011 report can be downloaded online.

            Knowledge on the subject plays a key part in understanding and opening eyes to the realities of human trafficking. But knowledge of warning signs someone may be a victim of human trafficking are equally important. In her article on human trafficking in the Seattle area written for “Seattle Woman Magazine”, Wenda Reed provides some red flags to look for if there’s a chance someone may be a victim of modern slavery.

            As American citizens the few things we have control over is how we spend our time and our money. Companies like Time Warner, Hilton, Westin, AT&T and Marriott all profit from the distribution of pornography, (Hepburn; Simon 4). Because of the aforementioned lax regulations on pornography and the American sex industry, it’s reasonable that by supporting these companies and others it supports human trafficking and sexual exploitation of persons. Perhaps next time you go to spend your money, see what you can find about where your money is going and what it may be supporting.

            There are also organizations that have a heart and drive to aid in the rescue of victims of human trafficking. Love146 is an organization dedicated to raising awareness and resources to combat child sex trafficking. World Vision is a humanitarian organization dedicated to working with children, families, and their communities worldwide to reach their full potential by tackling the causes of poverty and injustice; including human and sex trafficking. Check out these organizations and research others (make sure they’re real!) to find out what you can do to make a difference, whether it’s volunteering time or money.

Still yet, all these numbers and statistics cannot even come to show just what is happening and the evils of modern slavery and human trafficking. The number of people victimized and the amount of profit from human trafficking can only ever be guessed at.

We all like to think that bad things don’t happen; at least not in our communities, our cities, or our nation. But the fact of the matter is human trafficking happens everywhere. No matter where you live, human trafficking exists in some way, shape, or form. We come in contact with it everyday though we may not even realize (qtd. in Obauh 3).

We have the choice to continue in our normalcy, preferring to avoid what’s happening. Or, we can choose to educate ourselves and others to the reality that human trafficking happens everywhere; and it’s something that together, we can end.

---

Works Cited

Hepburn, Stephanie; Simon, Rita J. “Hidden in Plain Sight: Human Trafficking in the United States.” Springer Science & Business Media. 27.1-2 (2010): 1-26. Proquest Research Library. Feature. 29 October 2011.

“Love146.org United States Child Trafficking Facts”. New Haven, CT: Love146 2009. Love146.org. Web. 29 October 2011.

“Man faces life for prostituting a minor”. News 8. LIN Television Corporation, 25 October 2011. Web. 29 October 2011.

Obuah, Emmanuel. “Combating Global Trafficking in Persons: the Role of the United States Post September 2001”. Palgrave Macmillan. 43.2 (2006):241-265. Proquest Research Library. Feature. 29 October 2011.

Reed, Wenda. “Slaves Among Us: Human Trafficking in the Seattle Area.” Seattle Woman. Caliope Publishing Company, 2010. Web. 27 October 2011.

Sotnik, Kathryn. “Man arrested in human trafficking case”. WPRI.com. LIN Television Corporation, 25 October 2011 Web. 28 October 2011.

instagram

Anyone heard of Instagram?

It's a lovely little app for your iPhone or iPod Touch where you can upload pictures to a "social" if you will but are able to change the pictures with several different choices in filters.

Me?

I started this morning and am officially obsessed!

And the cool part?

My iPod touch barely has a megapixel of definition, only two of those pictures are from an actual camera...can you tell which ones?

I can, and actually the 'be original' picture isn't mine, but other than that all the others were taken by me.

Anyone interested in getting the app, its free and I rate it a full 5 stars! {click here for iTunes store}

Which two do you think are actually captured with a camera?

New Blogger Dashboard?

So, I've noticed (well it is rather hard to miss) that Blogger has almost completely changed the look of the dashboard.


At first it was frustrating for me. And I didn't really like it. Kind of hard to navigate first time around.


But I've blogged a few times now using the new set - up, and I have to say; I think I like it. 


The color scheme is more simple, elegant. 
And if you think about it, everything is actually easier to find; it just takes some time to adjust after being used to something completely different that was around for so long.


So what do you guys think? Bring back the old Blogger, or in with the new?