January: National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month

 Image by Axlot

In all of the news today about Google's "Super phone," I hope you didn't miss an important announcement from the White House.  President Obama has declared January to be National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month.

You can read the official proclamation here, and I've pulled my favorite part below:

"We must join together as a Nation and global community to provide that safe haven by protecting victims and prosecuting traffickers. With improved victim identification, medical and social services, training for first responders, and increased public awareness, the men, women, and children who have suffered this scourge can overcome the bonds of modern slavery, receive protection and justice, and successfully reclaim their rightful independence.

Fighting modern slavery and human trafficking is a shared responsibility. This month, I urge all Americans to educate themselves about all forms of modern slavery and the signs and consequences of human trafficking. Together, we can and must end this most serious, ongoing criminal civil rights violation." - President Barack Obama

As we begin our first week of resolutions, I have a new one to throw in to the mix: becoming increasingly aware of the suffering of others and what we can do to ease that suffering.  To get you started, check out this great list of actionable items that you can do to help end human trafficking and slavery in 2010: http://www.endslaverynow.com/take_action.  There's something on there that every single person has the power to do.  Use this honorary month as motivation to lend a hand and get started!