Hold on to these: 500. 7,200. 100-150. 14. 9. 7. 300,000. 55.  90. 1.

It’s nothing short of amazing that somehow, without my [conscious] knowledge, my life has come “full circle”, with the birth of FreedomTweet 2010.

Trust me, it was not intentional. I honestly have my hands full with LIFE — new job,  kids, and a Mother with Alzheimer’s Disease. “Me time” is a luxury, and volunteerism non-existent for almost 10 years now.

I thought the girl who wanted to save the world had made her peace that she could not, and moved on. I was completely wrong.

FreedomTweet began as a means of honoring the 145th Anniversary of Juneteenth — the nationally observed day commemorating the end of Slavery in the United States. As a descendant of Emancipated Slaves, this day is personally meaningful to me. My Ancestors though freed, never truly lived “free”. Honoring their lives and sacrifices is as natural to me as breath.

However, over the course of a month of planning, FreedomTweet has become so much more than ME honoring MY cultural past. FreedomTweet has become a door for me to truly see the suffering of MANY — in the present. And with the door now open again, I cannot close it.

African-American people have suffered much in America. The slave trade devastated our families and culture, and though frequently overlooked, American blacks were only afforded Civil Liberties some 46 years ago.

Because of our experience, and the bias we often face daily, it’s easy to forget that others have and do suffer. It’s easy, because the wounds are so personal, to only see our pain.

But if we pause for 1 moment and REALLY look, we will see there is far more that binds us together, than separates us. We will see, suffering is suffering — no matter who the victim.

If you pause for 1 moment, you’ll also realize there are MANY who see what we’ve been willing to ignore. There are dedicated, fearless people who fight, protest, advocate, preach, rally and stand for us — the collective global community.

FreedomTweet 2010 is for them. To champion their cause. To rally their support. FreedomTweet is an advocate for advocates because they must have community support, and civic participation to truly be effective.

As for me, Luckie, FreedomTweet 2010 marks my acceptance of the truth — I am not off the hook with changing the world.

I’ve found several organizations that along with my life responsibilities, I’ll carve out time to push their efforts forward.

I pray that supporters of FreedomTweet 2010 will open the door — see the world — and dedicate some part of their lives to making it a better place  — both for themselves and others.

500. Underage girls are sexually trafficked in Atlanta per month
7,200. Men every month in Atlanta who are serviced by these underage girls
100-150. Number of girls raped for profit each weekend in Atlanta
14. Average age of an exploited teen in Atlanta
9. Girls this young are known to be sexually trafficked
7. Average number of years before a teen is killed or dies after entering the trade
300,000. Number of underage girls at risk of sexual exploitation in the United States
55. Percentage of Internet child pornography based in the United States
90.  Percent of victims of sexual exploitation who are also abused at a young age
1. the number of people it takes to make a difference.

One. This is where I’ll start because change starts with me.

What about you?

FreedomTweet 2010

Luckie.

Tagged as: FreedomTweet 2010, Juneteenth