Slavery is still going strong today.  Slavery. Is it about the color of someone’s skin?  Slavery.  Is it about what country you are from or how much money you make?  What about your age? Slavery knows no boundaries.  Slavery goes beyond borders, skin color, age and further than bank accounts and financial statements.  Slavery attacks all walks of life because slavery devours the slave and the master.  A slave is defined as a person who is the legal property of another and is forced to obey them.

There are more slaves today than in any other point in the history of all mankind.  And these slaves are black and white.  Yellow and red.  These slaves are from Asia, Africa, America, Europe, The Islands and Knoxville, Tennessee.  These slaves are poor and rich.

More than 2 million children are exploited each year in the sex trade.  Those children are white, black, yellow, red… one of us.

There are more than 27 million slaves globally.  These can be in the sex industry working as prostitutes or on farms working in the fields.  Those people are yellow, black, red, white… one of us.

Of 95 counties in the state of Tennessee, Knox County ranks in the top 4 in trafficked areas in the state.  Knox County is where we live.  Slavery exists right here with us.

Every 30 seconds another person is trafficked.  Every 30 seconds.  In the time that it will take you to read this article another 8 people have been enslaved.

My generation has become more concerned with the act of slavery that took place before our grandparents were born, instead of fighting the slavery that is going on right now, under our noses, in the parts of town we “avoid” around the people we “avoid”.  Each child trafficked is someone’s child.  Every person trafficked is someone’s someone.

Today, we watch news updates of black verses white and white verses black and it is all referencing slavery.  Today, we are citizens in a nation with a black President.  If a black man can hold the highest office in the nation voted in by the people, the slavery that once held our country in bondage, no longer does.  At least not in the majority.  Is it possible that by our focus being so strongly on the immediate hatred or slander against one another, we miss the real slavery still in existence?  Is that the plan?  While I raise many questions in this brief article.  I only ask that you search yourself and the real data of who the slaves in 2016 really are and how do we help them?

A21 is an international organization that works to rescue those in bondage today and help restore them through the healing power of Jesus Christ.  A21 EXISTS TO ABOLISH INJUSTICE IN THE 21ST CENTURY.  A21 is a non-profit organization who believes that we can end human trafficking together. For the past three years, A21 has hosted the #walkforfreedom walk in numerous cities across the globe.  The walk exists to reflect A21’s heart for freedom and justice, and it is ultimately designed to turn awareness into action.  This year, Knoxville has been chosen as one of their host cities.  Please feel free to go to A21.org for more information about A21 and the walk itself.   The event is Saturday, October 15, 2016 at 8:30am beginning at the Knoxville Civic Coliseum.

Do we as a county, as a state, as a city want to continue fighting against the slavery that was abolished many years ago or do we want to face and fight for the ones that are currently in chains?  The decision is ours.  What shall you choose?

For more information, please go to a21.org/Knoxville or follow us on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter.