The SPEAK Project
Knowledge and awareness is square one in a potential course of action. I want to challenge the typical process by which sex trafficking is brought to our attention, by which we hurt for it, by which we consider making an effort to fight with what time and energy we have, but then forget about it until the next time it is brought up. I want to challenge all the ways that individuals mourn and grieve, yet don’t do anything except wail with their words and sometimes express pain through their tears. Softened hearts are a necessity, but we have been called to accompany our passions with action. Empathy, defensive anger, mission: these feelings were bestowed upon individuals with the intention that we use it to begin a spiritual and physical battle against the wrongs of this world.
The book Christian Reflections on Leadership states that, “The dream must be grand, but the process of fulfilling the dream must be a series of small acts”.
My Grand Dream: To encourage anyone and everyone to speak out. All existing perspectives, stories, thoughts, and challenges should be out in the open for all to see.
This series of writings is called The S.P.E.A.K. Project. SPEAK is an acronym for Sharing Perspective, Empathy, Action, and Knowledge.
It will started on William Jessup University campus and is now expanding to the surrounding culture. I would like to challenge individuals to bring forth public statements of their perspective on the fight in the form of spoken word, journal entries, poems, thoughts, lyrics, articles on political battles, coverage of fundraising events, etc….anything relating to the battle against sex trafficking. This can be a simplistic one-time entry or it can be an ongoing commitment to write.
It is making oneself vulnerable to put forth thoughts and feelings for the viewing of others…especially on a public website. How much vulnerability and discomfort are we willing to embrace in the name of decreasing the forced vulnerability that thousands of girls are struggling with right now?
Everyone’s perspective will come out in the open…for all to see, for all to relate to, for all to be inspired and encouraged by.
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Read the broad array of thoughts, poems, and perspectives HERE!
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You can become a part of The S.P.E.A.K. Project by sharing YOUR perspective!
To submit a written piece or if you have any other questions, please email thespeakproject@yahoo.com.