Sunday, July 10, 2011
Not for Sale
by David Batstone
I didn't exactly pick this book up on a whim, yet it wasn't all that premeditated, either. Human trafficking is a hot topic in church circles these days, so when I read a review of this book, I was inclined to pick it up. This is a book on human trafficking, or, to quote the subtitle, "The Return of the Global Slave Trade--and How We Can Fight It." Mr. Batstone tells the tales of modern slavery; not only of those forced to labor but also those forced to be soldiers or prostitutes. It was, of course, a disturbing read. It's a bit easier reading about historical injustice. Despite the pain and suffering, the writer usually comes up with some sort of happy ending. (The wars end, the afflicted are liberated, the bad guys killed or imprisoned) The injustice, the evil, has passed. I don't need to worry about it. The evil in this book, however, is current. The ending, happy or otherwise, has yet to be written. I felt helpless as I read, yearning for one of those storybook endings.
Still, the book is hardly one of despair. As he tells the story of the slaves, Mr. Batstone also weaves in the tales of the abolitionists--those who are the front lines of the struggle against this evil in our midst. At the end, the focus is entirely on the abolitionists and how a typical person can help them. Not quite the happy ending I wanted, but it was realistic. There is hope, but it's a hell of a challenge.
You really should check it out.
LibraryThing link
I didn't exactly pick this book up on a whim, yet it wasn't all that premeditated, either. Human trafficking is a hot topic in church circles these days, so when I read a review of this book, I was inclined to pick it up. This is a book on human trafficking, or, to quote the subtitle, "The Return of the Global Slave Trade--and How We Can Fight It." Mr. Batstone tells the tales of modern slavery; not only of those forced to labor but also those forced to be soldiers or prostitutes. It was, of course, a disturbing read. It's a bit easier reading about historical injustice. Despite the pain and suffering, the writer usually comes up with some sort of happy ending. (The wars end, the afflicted are liberated, the bad guys killed or imprisoned) The injustice, the evil, has passed. I don't need to worry about it. The evil in this book, however, is current. The ending, happy or otherwise, has yet to be written. I felt helpless as I read, yearning for one of those storybook endings.
Still, the book is hardly one of despair. As he tells the story of the slaves, Mr. Batstone also weaves in the tales of the abolitionists--those who are the front lines of the struggle against this evil in our midst. At the end, the focus is entirely on the abolitionists and how a typical person can help them. Not quite the happy ending I wanted, but it was realistic. There is hope, but it's a hell of a challenge.
You really should check it out.
LibraryThing link
Labels: CheckItOut
// posted by John @ 5:18 PM 
Subscribe to Posts [Atom]
