My mother’s family has a great love for books. Visit any one of my maternal relatives, and you will not want for reading material. Over years of visits to my grandparents’ house, I made friends with many of the books in their extensive home library. Every time I’d go to their house, I’d find myself returning to certain favorites. Among the books I loved was The Brandywine Heritage, which features the art of Howard Pyle, N.C. Wyeth, Andrew Wyeth, and James (Jamie) Wyeth. I leafed through the book many times, looking at the pictures, but I never bothered to read the introduction.
The Brandywine Heritage was published by the Brandywine River Museum in 1971, the year the museum opened. The museum features the art of the Wyeth family and other area artists, including Howard Pyle, who founded the Brandywine School. If you know Pyle, you know that he was an outstanding illustrator active in the late 1800s and early 1900s. He taught several students who went on to have successful careers, among them N.C. Wyeth, also an exceptional illustrator. Three of Wyeth’s children — Andrew, Henriette, and Carolyn — went on to become artists themselves. (Neither daughter is featured in the book; to be fair, Henriette’s most famous work — a portrait of Pat Nixon — was painted several years after the book was published.) James, Andrew’s second son, also became an artist, studying under his aunt Carolyn.
I’m not recommending this book because of its size. I recently requested it through interlibrary loan and was shocked when I picked it up; I’d remembered it as much larger. It has 18 color plates and 80 black-and-white illustrations. Beyond the nine-page introduction, there is no narrative text. It also does not include Andrew’s most famous painting, Christina’s World. I had sworn I first saw the painting in this book, so that was another surprise.
Despite its small size, I still love this book, because it provides a fascinating look at four generations of artists. You can get a sense of that even without reading the introduction. But I finally bothered with the introduction this time, and I appreciated the opportunity to learn a little more about these artists.
Of course, the art is beautiful. You’ll find Pyle’s pirates and some of his illustrations that are themselves stories. Before the section on N.C. Wyeth’s art, there is a series of paintings completed by Pyle and his students, including a marvelous Canadian trapper viewed from a point somewhere near his feet. The section on the eldest Wyeth begins with drawings of Native Americans from the Southwest and includes some of his illustrations for Treasure Island. Andrew’s section includes engaging portraits and spare landscapes. The section devoted to James includes some of his studies of the Kennedys, his finished painting of JFK, and a number of paintings that focus on one thing: a bronze bell, a boat, the base of a tree trunk, a pig.
The Brandywine Heritage is out of print, which is a pity. It chronicles not only the work of four generations of painters but also the beginning of a museum. While experts on these artists may find that this book is not enough to satisfy them, people like me, who appreciate art but are not art historians, will enjoy exploring the chain of influence from Howard Pyle to James Wyeth.
Most of my “making a difference” posts have been either practical tips or meditations on different subjects. I decided I’d like to add another type of post: interesting stories about average people who are trying to make a difference. I don’t anticipate including these stories often, but I hope this story won’t be the last of its kind.
Mark Walden lives in Chicago, Illinois. Nearly nine years ago, he and his wife established Jubilee Affordable Housing LLC as a way to invest in property that they try to manage ethically. I sat down with Mark this summer to discuss the ups and downs of his venture into property management. Full disclosure: Mark is my friend, and I have invested in a couple of his properties. Although both Mark and his wife are involved in Jubilee Affordable Housing, Mark plays the more active role, so I focused on his story for this post.
How Mark became a landlord
In 2005, Mark was working at a chamber of commerce and learning how property owners shape neighborhoods. He wasn’t a home owner at the time, and he was beginning to think about how old he would be when a 30-year mortgage was paid off. Mark and his wife couldn’t find anything appealing in their price range, but they wanted into the market, so they decided to buy a duplex and rent it out. They figured they’d sell it later and buy their own place.
A while later, another duplex two doors away became available. This one had a storefront. Mark began to see the potential of using property as a retirement plan. He envisioned buying multiple properties and then living off either the rental income or the proceeds from selling the buildings in retirement. Because there was little demand for a storefront in the neighborhood, Mark ended up adding that space to one of the duplexes.
The third building, a four-unit apartment, became available during the recession. By this time, Mark had created Jubilee Affordable Housing. His goals as a landlord were to buy property close to his own home, to keep rent affordable, and to make green updates to his buildings. He took on investors, either to help pay for properties or, as in the case of his first building, to help pay for rehab work to a property. His promise to his investors was that they could buy 1 percent shares of his properties with a 6 to 8 percent annual return on the investment.
Mark purchased his fourth property, another small apartment building, in foreclosure. Along with the investors, he and his wife now own a total of 12 units. In addition to these four buildings, Mark recently purchased a house with the help of investors. The house is being remodeled for resale.
What’s going well?
Mark and his wife are proud to be preserving affordable housing. They’ve set rent at 20-30% below the market rate for apartments in their gentrifying neighborhood. Although they are deliberately foregoing potential income, they have been able to pay the mortgages every month and have not lost any of the apartments. In addition, Mark has chosen to hire people in the neighborhood to improve and repair the buildings, which contributes toward local employment.
Overall, things are also working for the investors. Speaking as an investor in his third property, I can say that Mark has paid us the promised 8 percent interest every year. Mark had to delay interest payments to investors on his fourth property after sinking quite a bit of money into improvements, but has now paid several years of annual dividends. And as Mark invests in improving the property, the value for his investors has been increasing.
The situation with tenants has been a mixed bag. Because the apartments are rented at below-market rates, Mark has his choice of tenants. The low cost also makes the turnover rate low — about one unit every year. The average apartment turnover rate nationwide is around 50 percent. He has had to formally evict one tenant and informally evict another. That’s not bad for 12 units over nearly 10 years, but it was still hard on Mark.
Mark also noted that being a landlord has added to his skill set.
What’s not going well?
Mark and his wife had hoped to be making money off of the properties by now, but with property taxes and other expenses, they aren’t there yet. Mark also said that he’s grown grumpy since he became a landlord (this from a person I would never have described as grumpy). “People are late with their rent. A tenant might not mention a problem until Friday evening.” (Repair people generally charge more if they are called in to work at night or on a weekend.) In fact, my conversation with Mark was on a Saturday, and while we were chatting, he received a call from a tenant about a problem and had to text a repair person to see if they were available.
Mark’s advice for would-be landlords
If you’re interested in following in Mark’s footsteps and trying to become an ethical landlord, he has some advice:
Take your time looking for property.
Expect perpetual aggravation, but know that being a landlord can also be fun.
As a landlord, you may end up with “frienants.” You may become friends with your tenants, and you may end up renting property to some of your friends. This can be wonderful, but beware. Becoming a friend’s landlord may ruin the friendship.
Mark noted that what is true for “frienants” can also be true for your relationships with contractors.
The real estate mantra is true: Repairs will be behind schedule and over budget.
Mark’s foray into ethical property ownership isn’t a glowing success story, but that may make it all the more valuable. You can become a landlord in a way that will benefit the neighborhood. Just don’t expect it to be easy.
Do you know an ordinary person who is making a difference in an interesting way? Please let me know about them!
Post updated on 11/18/20 to reflect the new series title
I’ve always told myself I wouldn’t use my “something wonderful” posts to review things that were already quite popular, so I initially thought I’d never write about Studio Ghibli. It seems like everyone I know is familiar with at least some of co-founder Hayao Miyazaki’s work. But a short conversation with someone outside of my circle of friends made it clear to me that many people haven’t even heard of Spirited Away or My Neighbor Totoro, much less watched them. So I decided to cover Studio Ghibli and Miyazaki after all.
If you are among those who have no idea what I’m talking about, here’s a brief introduction to Miyazaki and Studio Ghibli.
What is Studio Ghibli? And, who is Hayao Miyazaki?
Studio Ghibli is a Japanese animation studio, co-founded in 1985 by Miyazaki and Isao Takahata. Takahata created excellent animated features during his lifetime, but Miyazaki has a magic touch; he wrote and directed the studio’s best-known films outside of Japan. If you have watched only a few Studio Ghibli films, I’m willing to bet that they were all Miyazaki’s work.
Miyazaki is a master storyteller, and his movies are always beautifully animated. Although each of his films is distinct from the others, certain themes pop up frequently in his work:
Flight. Miyazaki has the heart of an aviator. Castle in the Sky involves airships and a floating city. A witch’s ability to fly is at the heart of Kiki’s Delivery Service. Porco Rosso is about an aviator, and The Wind Rises is about an aeronautical engineer.
Magic. Miyazaki is one of those people who, to steal a phrase from a friend, “Went to fairyland and never came back.” His films frequently feature wizards, witches, or mythical beings. Miyazaki’s world is infused with magic.
The environment. Many of Miyazaki’s films touch on the importance of preserving nature. Princess Mononoke and Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind both feature a conflict between humans and nature. Ponyo’s father, the sorcerer Fujimoto, is deeply concerned about what humans are doing to the world, particularly to the oceans. And when Ponyo decides to become a human, she throws the balance of nature out of whack.
War. Miyazaki is hardly the only Japanese film-maker and animator to touch on war. You can find the scars of Hiroshima and Nagasaki everywhere from Godzilla movies to Star Blazers. War is present in many of Miyazaki’s films, and it’s never glorified.
Absentee parents. Many people have noticed how many Disney characters are motherless children. Similarly, one or both parents are often missing in Miyazaki’s films, though they aren’t necessarily dead. In My Neighbor Totoro, Satsuki and Mei’s mother is in the hospital. In Ponyo, Sosuke’s father is a captain on a fishing boat, so busy with his work that he’s never home. Pazu and Sheeta, the main characters in Castle in the Sky, are both orphans. And I’m just getting started.
Strong female characters. If you want great female role models for your children, Miyazaki’s movies are the way to go. Girls are often central characters in his stories. They are brave and powerful. San and Lady Eboshi, two female characters in Princess Mononoke, are strong opposing forces in the struggle between humans and nature. Chihiro of Spirited Away is on a mission to save her parents… and in the process, she rescues other beings in the spirit world. Ponyo is unstoppable in her quest to become a human.
Joe Hisaishi’s music adds to the magic.
Miyazaki’s masterful storytelling isn’t all that makes so many Studio Ghibli features masterpieces. Many of his best films have gorgeous scores composed by Joe Hisaishi. Search for “Ghibli Music” on YouTube and you’ll find several long compilations of music from the movies; most of the songs on these compilations will be Hisaishi’s. You can listen to jazz versions, piano versions, harp versions, music box versions. And like John Williams, Hisaishi composes concert-worthy film scores.
Disney has played a key role in bringing these films to the U.S.
Before Disney got involved, Miyazaki’s work was already making it over to the U.S. in subtitled or dubbed versions. But Disney knows a good thing when they see it, and in the mid-’90s they began distributing Studio Ghibli films outside of Japan. They arranged for high-quality English dubs and re-dubs, bringing in renowned actors to do the voice work. While I generally prefer to watch anime with subtitles, I enjoy most of Disney’s English dubs.
What follows is by no means an exhaustive list of the works of Miyazaki and Studio Ghibli. I couldn’t get my hands on one Studio Ghibli film — Ocean Waves — and Miyazaki has had a very prolific career. Several of his short films can be viewed only at the Studio Ghibli museum in Japan. That said, I included as many films as I could, and even a couple of television series — one that Miyazaki directed for a while, and another that was co-produced by Studio Ghibli. Unless you are a big Miyazaki and Studio Ghibli fan already, I hope that this list will either introduce you to these films for the first time or at least introduce you to some work that you didn’t already know.
I’ve arranged this list from “must-sees” — the movies that I strongly urge you to watch, even if you never watch another Miyazaki or Studio Ghibli film beyond those — to a few that I encourage you to skip, unless you are a die-hard fan who feels the urge to watch everything. Although most of the trailers I found don’t capture the movies the way I wish they did, I’ve included trailers whenever possible to give you a taste of each film or series.
Must-Sees
Castle in the Sky (1986) — Written and directed by Hayao Miyazaki
When I think of my favorite Studio Ghibli films, this is the first one that comes to mind. A fantasy with a touch of steampunk, Castle in the Sky jumps into action right from the start as an airship is attacked by sky pirates. Miyazaki delivers lots of adventure studded with moments of quiet beauty, such as a visit to a garden on a legendary floating island. This is a great starting point for people who are new to Studio Ghibli and Miyazaki.
My Neighbor Totoro (1988) — Written and directed by Hayao Miyazaki
My Neighbor Totoro is the classic Studio Ghibli film. Totoro is incorporated in the studio’s logo, and you can find all sorts of stuffed toys and other gifts featuring the character. This sweet film is one of two ideal Studio Ghibli starting points for young children (the other is Ponyo). The action and adventure in this movie are on a smaller, more personal scale than Castle in the Sky, well-suited to a younger audience. I don’t know anyone who isn’t completely taken with the magical creatures in the story — not only Totoro (particularly the big Totoro) but also “soot sprites” and a Catbus.
Spirited Away (2001) — Written and directed by Hayao Miyazaki
When Spirited Away won Best Animated Feature in the 75th Academy Awards, that may have been the tipping point that moved Miyazaki from a cult favorite to a famous name in the United States. This story is a fairy tale in which the hero, a girl named Chihiro, must rescue her parents from a curse and escape from the spirit world. As in many fairy tales, Chihiro befriends magical beings who help her on her quest. While the formula is classic, the story and characters are like nothing you’ve seen before. Except for the soot sprites…
Princess Mononoke (1997) — Written and directed by Hayao Miyazaki
This powerful film is not for young children. A fairy tale with strong environmentalist themes, Princess Monoke is about a war between humans and the beings of the surrounding forest. The characters are complex; neither side in this war is wholly good or wholly evil. The movie is very violent and very moving.
Ponyo (2008) — Written and directed by Hayao Miyazaki
This is the other film that I consider a great Studio Ghibli starting point for young children. Ponyo, the fish-child of a sorcerer and a sea goddess, escapes from home and befriends a human child. Once she has had a literal taste of the human world, she will let nothing stop her from rejoining her friend as a human herself — thus upsetting the balance of nature. The story is clearly inspired by “The Little Mermaid,” and it’s the best take on that fairy tale that I’ve ever seen (albeit very different from the original).
Howl’s Moving Castle (2004) — Written and directed by Hayao Miyazaki
Howl’s Moving Castle is based on the book by Diana Wynne Jones, though it has been simplified for the screen. While I can be a purist about these things, I think the simplification was necessary. Most of the Miyazaki movies I love best are original stories or, in the case of Ponyo, complete reinterpretations, but this is one of the happy exceptions to that rule. It’s also one of the few Miyazaki films with a full-fledged romance.
The Cat Returns (2002) — Written by Reiko Yoshida and directed by Hiroyuki Morita
The Cat Returns is the only non-Miyazaki anime from Studio Ghibli that I consider a must-see. Although the animation isn’t as beautiful as the other movies in this group, I enjoy the story and characters. Haru is an awkward teenager who rescues a cat. Unfortunately, he turns out to be cat royalty, and his father sees fit to reward Haru by arranging for her marriage to his son. With the help of Muta (a cat), the Baron (a cat figurine that comes to life), and Toto (a raven), Haru tries to escape an unwanted marriage and gains confidence in the process. This movie is actually the sequel to Whisper of the Heart (below), but it stands on its own. The score, by Yuji Nomi, is lovely.
Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind (1984) — Written and directed by Hayao Miyazaki
Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind was created before the founding of Studio Ghibli. The story is an environmental fable about a post-apocalyptic world in which humans fight for survival among poisonous forests filled with angry insects. It’s pretty heavy, so I don’t recommend it for small children. Despite the serious subject matter, I strongly suggest you don’t miss Miyazaki’s breakthrough film.
Highly Recommended
Kiki’s Delivery Service (1989) — Written and directed by Hayao Miyazaki
My child was offended that I listed this film as “highly recommended” instead of “must-see,” but this is, after all, just my opinion. Kiki’s Delivery Service is a lovely story about a young witch who moves away from home and establishes (surprise!) a delivery service. The movie is cute, your kids (if you have any) will love it, and you will enjoy watching it with them; however, I don’t think it measures up to the very best of Miyazaki’s movies — perhaps because it was based on an existing book rather than coming straight from his imagination.
Porco Rosso (1992) — Written and directed by Hayao Miyazaki
Once upon a time, an aviator named Marco was turned into a pig… or rather, a sort of pig-man. Porco Rosso takes place after that transformation. It’s a sweet story, but it is probably more to adult tastes than many of Miyazaki’s movies.
The Wind Rises (2013) — Written and directed by Hayao Miyazaki
The Wind Rises is Miyazaki’s last film to date. A loving tribute to a Japanese aircraft designer, this movie is both sad and beautiful. Before you watch it with your children, keep in mind that there is some disturbing content, including an earthquake and a character who suffers from tuberculosis.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2QFBZgAZx7g
The Secret World of Arrietty (2010) — Written by Hayao Miyazaki and Keiko Niwa and directed by Hiromasa Yonebayashi
Based on The Borrowers, The Secret World of Arrietty is an engaging film that retains the spirit of the book, but — like Kiki’s Delivery Service — it doesn’t have that spark that makes it a must-see. It also lacks the depth of most of Miyazaki’s films, so while most adults won’t mind watching it, the movie probably has greater appeal for children.
My Neighbors the Yamadas (1999) — Written and directed by Isao Takahata
This sweet, funny anime is a series of shorts about family. The animation style is very different from most Studio Ghibli films, but it is beautiful in its own way. Overall, I thought the movie was a delightful exploration of the ups and downs of family life.
From Up on Poppy Hill (2011) — Written by Hayao Miyazaki and Keiko Niwa and directed by Gorō Miyazaki
You’re going to see the name “Gorō Miyazaki” pop up occasionally on this list; one of Hayao Miyazaki’s sons, he has begun directing some anime with mixed success. From Up on Poppy Hill is probably one of his best-loved anime, a coming-of-age film set in 1960s Japan. Much of the focus of the film is on a convoluted romance between the two main characters, so it will probably appeal more to older children and adults.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9-rhgSCAqDU
Whisper of the Heart (1995) — Written by Hayao Miyazaki and directed by Yoshifumi Kondō
The Baron from The Cat Returns was first introduced in this movie, though his role here is very different. The Baron never truly comes to life, except in the imagination of Shizuku, a young writer. This coming-of-age film gets a bit angst-y at times and has a somewhat awkward romance, but it’s worth seeing, despite those bumpy patches.
Only Yesterday (1991) — Written and directed by Isao Takahata
This slice-of-life movie alternates between the story of 27-year-old Taeko, a woman on vacation in the country, and flashbacks to her childhood. At times, it felt like it dragged on, but sometimes the most mundane scenes — such as one in which the adult Taeko assists with a harvest — are absolutely beautiful. The story continues into the end credits, so don’t stop watching when the credits roll.
The Tale of Princess Kaguya (2013) — Written by Isao Takahata and Riko Sakaguchi and directed by Isao Takahata
The Tale of Princess Kaguya is one of the most beautifully animated movies I’ve ever seen. Based on a Japanese folktale, the film tells a heart-breaking story about a miraculous child who is forced into a role she doesn’t want. Its runtime is more than two hours, but it never bogs down.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tM6hcHp0_kU
The Castle of Cagliostro (1979) — Written by Hayao Miyazaki and Haruya Yamazaki and directed by Hayao Miyazaki
This is another of Miyazaki’s pre-Studio Ghibli movies, part of an enormous body of work about Lupin III, a master thief. Miyazaki had already done work on part one of the Lupin III television series when he was hired to direct The Castle of Cagliostro, the second theatrically released movie. This isn’t really like Miyazaki’s later work — after all, he was working with a pre-existing character — but it’s fun and action-packed.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wJudurbkv1E
Not Bad, But…
Ronja, the Robber’s Daughter (2014-15) — Written by Hiroyuki Kawasaki and directed by Gorō Miyazaki
This series almost doesn’t count as a Studio Ghibli film; it was co-produced by Studio Ghibli, but the animation was done by Polygon Pictures. The series is an extremely faithful adaptation of Astrid Lindgren’s Ronia, the Robber’s Daughter — in fact, while I’m normally a fan of faithful adaptations, I feel like they could have made some cuts and hurried the story along a little. The animation bugged me and my child a bit in the beginning, but we got used to it. Overall, it’s a high-quality series — the kind that might run on PBS. Right now it is streaming on Amazon Prime; according to Wikipedia, it will eventually be released by GKIDS.
Grave of the Fireflies (1988) — Written and directed by Isao Takahata
Grave of the Fireflies is an anime classic, so I feel a little guilty about putting it on this part of the list, but it is extremely depressing. I do willingly watch and appreciate sad movies, but in my opinion, the merits of this one don’t outweigh how hard it is to watch. The movie definitely does a great job illustrating the horrors of war.
When Marnie Was There (2014) — Written and directed by Hiromasa Yonebayashi
When Marnie Was There is based on a book by the same name. At the time of this writing, its Wikipedia entry notes that the critical consensus on Rotten Tomatoes is that it is “still blessed with enough visual and narrative beauty to recommend, even if it isn’t quite as magical as Studio Ghibli’s greatest works.” Perhaps that lack of magic is why I couldn’t bring myself to put this on my “highly recommended” list. Yes, it is beautiful, but now that I’ve seen it once, I don’t need to see it again.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PZq4uuMP8ss
Sherlock Hound (1984-85) — Various writers and directors, including Hayao Miyazaki
Miyazaki directed the first six episodes of this Sherlock Holmes-inspired series. It is a not-unpleasant cartoon for young children, but after five episodes, I thought, “Okay, that’s enough.” (This was before I realized that Miyazaki had not directed all 26 episodes in the series. I might have powered through one more, but by the time I learned that I had only one Miyazaki episode left, I didn’t feel that going back to watch that episode would change my opinion of the series.) I wouldn’t go as far as to say, “Don’t bother,” but I also don’t think you need to make an effort to see these.
Only for Die-hard Fans
Tales from Earthsea (2006) — Written by Gorō Miyazaki and Keiko Niwa and directed by Gorō Miyazaki
Tales from Earthsea is very loosely based on some of the Earthsea novels, particularly The Farthest Shore and Tehanu. (Apparently Ursula LeGuin said, “It is not my book. It is your movie.”) This is one of the least popular Studio Ghibli movies ever produced, although apparently it did well in the box office in Japan. Even if the movie stood on its own and didn’t pretend to be based on LeGuin’s novels, it’s surprisingly dull for its genre. Or maybe I was just sleepy when I watched it.
Pom Poko (1994) — Written and directed by Isao Takahata
Maybe I don’t like Pom Poko because it doesn’t speak to me culturally. The movie is an environmental tale about a group of tanuki, Japanese raccoon dogs, that declare war on the developers who are destroying their forest. Certain elements of Japanese folklore about tanuki show up in this movie — including the notion that they have shape-shifting powers, as well as an emphasis on the size of their testicles. While there’s a lot of humor, Pom Poko is also very sad. There are scenes that are littered with dead tanuki. And while the movie is “only” 119 minutes long, it seems to drag on and on.
Panda! Go, Panda! (1972) — Written by Hayao Miyazaki and directed by Isao Takahata
I used to check Panda! Go, Panda! out from the library for my child to watch (without actually watching it myself — shame on me). She enjoyed it, so when I started working on this post and found I could no longer get the movie from the library, I bought it, thinking it would be a worthwhile addition to our collection of Miyazaki and Ghibli-related films. That was a mistake. The dubbing is extremely annoying — particularly the voice for Papa Panda. My child has seen a version with subtitles and claims that’s much better, but you are far more likely to run across the dubbed version that I bought. The DVD technically has two Panda! Go, Panda! movies on it — the original and Panda! Go, Panda!: The Rainy Day Circus. I made it through the first movie and couldn’t bring myself to continue.
In addition to being annoyed by the dub, I kept thinking about how the story wouldn’t fly today. A young grade-schooler, Mimiko, is left alone at home for several days when her grandmother, who is her caretaker, goes to an out-of-town funeral. While Grandma is gone, Mimiko lets a baby panda, Panny, and its father into her house and decides they should be a family. She is Panny’s mother, and Papa Panda plays the role of father to both of them. Nothing creepy about this story at all.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5mtKB92WQEI
Bonus Video
On Your Mark (1995) — Written and directed by Hayao Miyazaki
“On Your Mark” is a music video to a song by Chage & Aska. The video tells a sci-fi story about two policemen who rescue an angelic being; the story jumps back and forth in time, offering alternate endings. If you have the opportunity to view this short work, I highly recommend it.
One way to fight human trafficking: Raise awareness, perhaps through symbolism.
I’ve written about modern slavery, or human trafficking, before. I’ll continue to do so, because fighting slavery is important to me. There are many different actions we can take in the fight against slavery. The most important thing we can do is to value victims and survivors of human trafficking.
Stop Blaming People Who Have Been Enslaved
We shouldn’t blame people who have been enslaved for their situations. We should blame those who have chosen to enslave others.
Kanye West was speaking about historic slavery — not modern slavery — when he said that slavery was a choice, but that statement insults both people who were enslaved in the past and those who are trafficked now. When people view slavery as a choice or embrace the notion that people “create their own reality,” they show a lack of respect for those who have been used by people who are ready to oppress others for their own gain. Victims of human trafficking are people who are struggling. They try to make the best choices they can with the resources available to them. They choose whatever they think will help them survive. That’s not the same as choosing slavery.
We also frequently fail to support victims of trafficking through law enforcement. Although the United States is getting better about not charging people who are coerced into prostitution, there are still far too many instances in which these people are jailed. Sometimes they are imprisoned to force them to cooperate with an investigation, or even because appropriate help is not available.
And because many victims of human trafficking are undocumented workers, the recent crackdown on illegal immigrants in the U.S. can discourage people from seeking help.
Start Thinking Beyond Escape
It’s important to think beyond helping people escape slavery, wonderful as that moment of freedom may be.
As one human trafficking survivor points out, people who have been enslaved lack resources. They may need education or access to counseling, health care, and financial assistance. They certainly need jobs. And they need to be fairly compensated for their contributions toward fighting slavery.
Entrepreneurs might want to start businesses that are designed to provide new job skills to survivors of human trafficking. The rest of us can help out by buying from businesses that employ these survivors.
Listen to Survivors
In 2016, the U.S. government released its first-ever report on human trafficking based on significant input from survivors. The U.S. Advisory Council on Human Trafficking put together a list of ways to fight slavery, including improving anti-trafficking training, increasing awareness of human trafficking, providing comprehensive services to survivors, and protecting vulnerable workers.
Survivors of human trafficking have escaped situations in which their human dignity was not respected. We dehumanize them again when we take the attitude that we know better than they do. Survivors are not poster children to be trotted out when we need a good example of what slavery looks like. If they choose to be involved in the fight against trafficking, we need to invite them to be full participants in our discussions about slavery. And when they speak, we need to respectfully listen. (Much of what I’ve written in this paragraph was inspired by a resource from The Advocates for Human Rights, which includes advice from women who are survivors of sex trafficking.)
It’s easy for those of us who are privileged to think we’ve attained these privileges solely due to our merits. It’s a simple step from there to placing ourselves in a “savior” type of role. I know I’ve done that many times. But when we try to solve people-centered problems like human trafficking (and other forms of oppression), we need to be humble enough to take an approach that is not centered on ourselves and our own ideas — no matter how good they may be — but instead take an approach that focuses on the people we wish to serve.
