Fair Trade, Fair Labor

It is estimated that there are 27 million slaves around the world today. There are numerous organizations fighting for their justice. Live2free is one that exists to challenge our generation to make a change, connect with others to save, rescue, restore and heal devastated and broken victims of the trade.

Their mission is simple and easy: “Making just choices changes lives.” Thinking before you buy may be the difference between the subconscious support of human trafficking or bringing final justice to a depraved industry.

“There are things we can do as students to drive demand for reducing the demand that creates the slavery,” director of Live2free Sandra Morgan said.

Morgan, also head of the Global Center for Women and Justice, encourages students to make personal choices that recognize the dignity of an individual and show responsibility as a consumer. In doing so, she believes together we can strive to slow the demand that drives modern day slavery.

After her eye-opening trip to Greece, Morgan was determined to make others aware of the sex trade. She spoke to students on campus and trained individuals to speak at high schools on the issue. Following a year of success and training, Live2free has made connections to make others recognize they can personally do things to make a significant difference. Making just choices can create change, and Morgan is calling on all students to do so.

“The modern slave trade is a business fueled by demand, consequently to some degree we are all part of the problem or part of the solution. We contribute to demand by turning a blind eye to pornography and sex tourism or by making choices that reward companies that keep their bottom line under the rest of the market by the use of slave labor,” Morgan said.

Students must understand that good stewardship is not getting the cheaper price, but rather buying the integrity that went into the creation of that product.

“If you buy chocolate for 59 cents a bar, but it’s being made with slave labor, adult or child, you are far from good stewardship,” Morgan said.

Morgan encourages students to purchase the $2.00 alternative, buying the integrity of the bar over the deal.

Live2free works with Trader Joe’s and The Orange County Human trafficking task force. Trader Joe’s supplies Live2free with free boxes of fair trade chocolate to pass out to other students, making them aware of the issue. Fair trade products are products made with the promise of paid labor, rather than induced unpaid child labor.

Senior Tiffany Wong, active member and leader of Live2Free, was recently recognized by Congresswoman Loretta Sanchez with the “Congressional Recognition Award,” thanking Wong for her efforts in leadership to combat human trafficking and recognizing her for fighting for women’s justice.

“I want to encourage others to be a part of Live2free and fight for the rights of these broken victims,” Wong said.

Although the majority of human trafficking victims are female, Live2free is calling on both men and women to step up and do their part.

The team meets every Monday at 10 a.m. in Heath Academic Building, Room 101.

Conversations entail discussions of what students can do to reduce demand for sex trafficking and pornography, making other students aware of the issue, as well as preparation for effective presentations at high schools, youth groups and other colleges in the Orange County area.