UPDATES & ARTICLES
I’ve been in communication with Mosaic Family Services (located here in Dallas) recently. I’m trying to meet with their Director of Development next week to learn more about their services and the wider culture of human trafficking in Dallas. I’m quite excited to learn more about trafficking in Dallas as well.
Additionally, I’ve been working with the SOLD Project and the 2010 fundraising plan. After a decade of fundraising experience, it’s fun to use this storehouse of knowledge for something that I am personally invested in.
And more reading for ya:
http://www.cnn.com/2009/OPINION/11/25/carr.human.trafficking/
http://www.cbc.ca/canada/calgary/story/2009/12/02/calgary-human-trafficking-charges.html
http://current.com/items/91594222_iraq-women-forced-into-sex-slavery.htm
SOLD UPDATE: CAT
Cat Update from The SOLD Project on Vimeo.
PLAYGROUND REVIEW
The St. Louis International Film Festival came and went. Largely unexperienced by me and my clan. However, we did see Playground, the reason we drove the 10 hours. We also experienced a little St. Louis culture while on the Delmar Loop. ”Well done, St. Louis,” I found myself saying as we walked. ”Well done.”
The film was very well done and seemed to stay honest. Libby, the director, seemed to let the story tell itself in a very visceral way. Though the story and subject matter are by nature, sensational, it felt that Libby resisted playing on sentiment and sensationalism. An irresponsible habit I make daily (read: writing poetry).
My feelings aside, the film was overwhelming educational. I learned much about trafficking and the sexual exploitation of (mainly) children in America. I also left with a sense of hopelessness. Damn feelings. We have so much work to do before turning the tide.
But we’re here. And all is not lost. All is not lost.
I’m resolute in continuing my research about trafficking here Dallas.
Hope. For us all.
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FILM MAKER?
I have a need. I’m going to be editing update videos (1 to 2 min each) for the Sold Project in the coming months, and thought to myself, “there might be some friends who would like to help w/ this.”
So there it is. If you have some editing skills and a couple of hours to donate let me know!
For us all.
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ST. LOUIS & LIBBY SPEARS
Hey Friends! I just had a great conversation with @kerristarr and Libby Spears. Kerri is a good from from work (in case you didn’t know) & Libby is the director of the Playground Documentary. The same docu. that a handful of people and I are going to see next weekend in St. Louis.
And in light of this great conversation, I HAVE TWO OFFERS FOR YOU!!!!
- If you drive with us to St. Louis this coming weekend, I’LL BUY YOUR TICKET! (you help split gas and hotel $$$).
- B/c Libby runs a non-profit, money is very slim despite perceptions. She can’t afford to see the showing of her own film! DO YOU WANT TO HELP BUY A PLANE TICKET FOR HER?
If you’re interested in being involved, get a hold of me (the sooner the better!) so i can buy tickets, plan driving, etc. I’ll post details on the trip soon enough.
Okay, a buh bye. Get excited! Woot woot!
Michael. For us all.
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DALLAS ADVOCATES & ST. LOUIS
The list of people who are willing to help seems to grow and grow. There is movement and undercurrents along this river that keep surprising me. I’m anxious to see where they lead us.
Here is what is on the burners: I will be meeting with some victim advocates who work in the DA’s office within the month and will additionally be calling on and hopefully meeting the small number of NGO’s that work with human trafficking here in Dallas. Additionally, I’ll be joining a small group of individuals from a local church to talk about human trafficking and it’s impact locally and globally. And lastly, some new friends are currently researching for a trafficking documentary to be based here in Dallas. I look forward to helping with that process. So much is unknown.
ALSO, next weekend (the 21st) all are welcome to road trip to St. Louis with me and a few others to watch the film “Playground.” (More details here) If you want to come with us, let me know ASAP, and I’ll buy your ticket. You just help split gas and hotels.
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That’s it for now.
Michael. For us all.
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IT’S OFFICIAL
I officially joined the Board of Directors for The Sold Project! I am so excited I can’t see straight! I went with Sold to Thailand this summer and loved both the mission and the people. Apparently they felt similarly, because they’ve extended an opportunity for me to join the Board. I’d be a fool not to join! And I’d be honored if you took just a brief moment to learn more about them.
My first order of business will be to replace American currency with hotdogs. 20 hot dogs will equal roughly a nickel.
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Michael. For us all.
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PLAYGROUND ROADTRIP
I just purchased 4 tickets to SLIFF to view Playground – a documentary about the sexual exploitation and trafficking of children in America. I’M GIVING THREE AWAY! Come with me? eh? eh? First come, first serve.
It all came about because I apparently missed an opportunity here (in Dallas) to view Playground. I read a friend’s tweet and was saddened at my near miss. However, I learned there are two more showings left on this tour, so I’m road tripping to St. Louise to see the film. Here are the details:
PLAYGROUND
Libby Spears, U.S., 2008, 86 min.
Saturday, Nov. 21, 1:30 p.m., Tivoli 3The sexual exploitation of children is a problem Americans associate exclusively with developing countries, but “Playground” makes clear that it’s a huge industry within the United States. The film traces the epidemic’s roots, including the way children are educated about sex, and couches its cultural observations in a mystery story: the search for an American girl lost to the underbelly of childhood sexual exploitation. “Playground,” which debuted at Tribeca, is executive produced by George Clooney and Steven Soderbergh, and features animation by Japanese artist Yoshitomo Nara. Describing the film as “thoughtful, sensitive and broader in its indictments than most treatments of the subject,” Variety summarizes: “Tackling a topic you can’t film, victims you don’t want to identify and a subject from which most auds naturally recoil in horror, helmer Libby Spears works certain wonders with ‘Playground,’ a state-of-the-union address on the sexual exploitation of American children.”
So, C’mon C’mon! Let’s roadtrip! One car (maybe two!), one hotel room, one night in St. Louis!
for us all.
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KINDA A MESS
I’m kinda a mess today. Was invited by a coworker to a meeting with Sean Carasso (he’s this guy) over lunch. We talked about Falling Whistles (http://www.fallingwhistles.com/) and well, it all got me just plain fired up. Now all I want to do is help full time. I’m a mess today because I’m not helping yet.
anyway. sigh.
much love. for us all.
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THANKFULGIVING
On the Sunday after Thanksgiving I’ll be attending a dinner to talk about human trafficking here in Dallas. I am excited learn more and be around people who also want to learn more. I also bought LoveAsLaw.org (Hello World!) last week.
Also also, I’m still not sure what I’m doing, by way of a Foundation, but I’m still moving forward with ideas and energy.
For us all.
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