From Falling Down a Rabbit Hole to a Brutal Wake Up Call
The first step in influencing change is knowledge
One of my favorite ways to procrastinate is to research random stuff on the internet. Being a freelance writer, it’s just so easy to get lost in intriguing rabbit holes when I’m bored from working on an assignment.
About two weeks ago, I found myself in the familiar situation of facing my computer screen while my mind was going blank, struggling to finish an article for a client. So, to clear my head, I turned to YouTube and somehow ended up watching an old Vice video about the rights of sex workers in America.
Back in Canada during my college years, I had many friends who resorted to working in strip clubs to pay their way through university, so sex workers’ rights had always been an interesting and somewhat emotional topic for me. It always kind of fascinated and angered me how so many people tend to demonize sex workers or simply not acknowledge their rights. So I started doing some research to see how the situation had developed, from the time of that Vice video(about 7 years ago) until now.
From one Google search to another, I went from wanting to learn about sex workers’ rights to research about the reality of sex trafficking in America.
Down the rabbit hole I went, digging deeper and deeper. The deeper I got, the more shocked and invested I became in the subject. I admit, I learned a hell of a lot. I had no idea sex trafficking was still going on to this extent in 2022. To tell you the truth, I’m ashamed of my ignorance…
As someone who prides themselves on being conscious, compassionate, and caring, it’s weird for me to realize there are some social issues I just never reflect on because they are simply not a part of my reality at first glance. I mean… If I just take the example of poverty. I can see it around me: I interact with homeless people, I walk around poor neighbourhoods… it’s an issue that is tangible and present on my mind because I’m in contact with it each time I get out of my house. But sex trafficking? Not so obvious.
I think a lot of us are this way — we reflect and are moved by issues we experience firsthand. But this means there are tons of important matters that need addressing that simply go unnoticed because we don’t have any direct experience with them.
While researching, I read many valuable articles written by qualified authors and journalists from various sources, but I owe my wake up moment to a single writer, here on Medium.
Kelly Blaine’s articles came as both a monumental kick in the ass and a breath of fresh air.
Kick in the ass because Kelly’s right, I’m one of those people “not doing shit about it”.
And a breath of fresh air because it’s so good to see new writers like her choosing Medium to share her research and opinions.
So I’m doing something about it Kelly Blaine, I’m sharing your fantastic work.
Sometimes, the smallest action can make a tremendous impact. Writing this article and sharing Kelly’s work is my first step. What will be yours?
