Week 7 - Analysis

As the situations of international markets have helped create the system of supply and demand that run almost every area of trade in the world, it has also impacted the industry of human trafficking. Some countries that do not have the same kinds of return on investment in global markets as their larger more economically sound counterparts do, have decided to depend on trafficking to build their economies. Not to say they have engaged in trafficking for the purpose of increasing wealth, but trafficking has often not been prevented because it does bring in capital.

In global competition, often those with a lot of capital to begin with have been able to compete. But what about those who do not begin with a large base of capital? It is difficult to say what all the implications of the global economic system are on trafficking. But looking at the local level, we can examine how the consumer culture of Los Angeles (which is a natural outgrowth of supply and demand) impacts the lives of those trafficked to the U.S.

Some trafficked persons choose to be trafficked because they believe that America affords more opportunity, which in some cases it does. This is a testament to American marketing; people all over the globe will do whatever it takes to come to the U.S.

Other persons trafficked into the U.S. are trafficked against their will, either being deceived or physically being taken without their consent. Economically and socially, they exist below the radar. They are not given the chance to make a life for themselves because they are often seen as property or are paying off exorbitant amounts of debt at a small wage.

These victims of trafficking are in great number in the United States and more specifically in Los Angeles. But one of the things that makes it difficult to find them is that the network bringing them into the U.S. is well hidden. Once here, it is virtually impossible to find them because they are illegally housed and paid (if they receive a wage). They often do not receive medical attention and since most do not speak English, have no way of telling anyone what has happened to them.

One way Christ-followers can impact lives is to be wise with the businesses and services we support. Nail salons, hair salons, markets, and other small businesses are places where many trafficked persons are exploited. Christ-followers can open their eyes and become aware of the situation. Spending time documenting what is happening in a particular place and befriending the “victim” are good ways to find out what is really going on. Wisdom is definitely needed because the “victim” could become endangered by overt acts. So it is better to use care when trying to assess a situation.

Then seeking ways to ensure the safety of the person trafficked when alerting local authorities is also necessary. Christ-followers should also take into account that corruption exists in the U.S. and not blindly trust everything that we are told. These may sound like extreme steps but even if befriending a victim of trafficking is all we can do, it will still serve to let the person feel like they have hope.