This is my first on-line course so I'm excited to learn how I will learn via this format. Interestingly, I discovered this site and these particular courses from one of my friends, a curious soul from Nepal. As he is from a developing nation where in most cases the resources are scarce, he is constantly prodding me to "...take advantage of every opportunity available in the states." In fact, as he was guiding me around the website, he was sure to emphasize that "the courses are FREE!" However, while the fact that this amazing resource is being provided to us at no cost other than the investment of time and energy, I actually signed on as a result of a genuine interest in the topic. In fact, I've yet to get my brain around the idea that, in the 21st century, human beings are being bought and sold like bags of rice. I not only want to see this unbelievably barbaric behavior stopped, I want healing and human rights for those who have already suffered. It troubles me that the victimes have names, personalities, and emotions that we may never know. However, if we work hard enough to contribute to the movement to stop this ugly practice, we CAN know the names, personalities and emotions of the perpetrators.
At the core, I'm an advocate of social justice yet, hopefully, not annoyingly over zealous. I believe that human beings have the capacity to do great things. However, we also have the capability of commiting unspeakable acts of depravity that transcend sheer logic. Personally, I've been fortunate in that I've yet to be faced with conditions that have affected my real or implied social or political mobility. That is, I attended colleges, have been gainfully employed, and live in a relatively safe community. I have good health, a family, a sound mind, and even have a faith on which to rely. I understand these privileges and am grateful for them. However, I'm admittedly plagued by the fact that a good percentage of the people in the world, my fellow human beings, have so little yet the majority of us are either asleep or are simply in denial. I have a responsibility to act....I can feel it. I am obligated to become more aware...I will. And, I'm passionate about learning....I always am.
I read a lot. In fact, I'd estimate that I have more than 500 books in my home (plenty of bookshelves ). I've always been in awe of what can be done with the 26 letters of the alphabet. Twenty-six letters---that's not even a big number yet from the use of them real power to either build or destroy emerges. I opt to build.
I believe in love and that love is the thing that is missing from the world. It's the force that has the ability to inspire intelligent communities to develop the confidence to believe that we can stop injustice and, more specifically, that we can stop human trafficking. I read recently that humans have an unlimited ability to think and talk about the things that we love. I love justice so I want to talk about it. I also love the idea of our coming together as a learning community to invest in the dignity of other people. I love that, collectively, we will analyze this issue and perhaps, about it, laugh, cry and even blow off steam....together.
Last, perhaps "the" most interesting thing about me is that I am just a regular, average, person who believes that regular and average people have the ability to bring light into a very dark situation. As we all know, light and darkness cannot co-exist. One will always dominate the other. I looking forward to learning about this important topic and to being a part of the enlightenment.
Thanks for reading! ~Veronica
p.s. I apologize for not having a personal photo. My employment prohibits employees from posting on line photos and from participating in social networking sites, etc... Thus, a flower was the next best thing. :)
