CALL & RESPONSE

Name of Event: "Call and Response" documentary screening
Organizer and location of event: Fair Trade Productions, Tribeca Cinema
Amount of hours of event: 2 hours
reflection:

This was such a powerful film! Everyone should definitely find some time to watch it. It talks about human trafficking, which is one of the fastest growing businesses - kind of sad, right? The entire film talks a lot about different kinds of slavery - child sex slavery, child solidiers, labor slavery, and so forth. There were many stories, interviews, statistics, and images of people who are forced to work and do things they don't want to. Girls as young as 3 are forced stay into brothels and have sex with many men they don't know everyday of their lives. There was one story of a girl who was the eldest daughter of the family. I think she was hoping to earn money for her family and took a job offer thinking it was legitimate. Turns out it wasn't. What typically happens in these places is once you arrive at the brothel, they immediately rape you or force you to have sex ... I forget the reasoning behind this... but anyway the this girl felt so ashamed, she couldn't return to her family.

The documentary was started by Justin Dillion who was exposed to the concept of human trafficking while touring in Russia. He wanted to do something through what he knows best - music and it efforts culminated into this film. Dispersed through the film, musicians perform as their way of advocating for those enslaved. Other politicans and advocates are also interviewed.

Towards the end of the film, they showed many different ways you can get involved and advocate. It was definitely empowering. You left the theater completely shocked by what goes on in this world and so fired up to take action.

As a teacher, I definitely want my students to be just as aware. I want my students to take action and fight/speak for those who can't. It's so important!! I want to empower my students and let them know that they can make a difference.

Definitley check the show out!! Or even just go through their website:: www. callandresponse.com