January is Human Trafficking Awareness Month. This comes with a Presidential Proclamation as well as dozens of news articles and events to take part in. Ever since I first learned about the reality of modern-day slavery a few years back, it seems that more and more people are talking about it. Awareness has been growing, though of course just knowing about it is merely a first step.
Freedom and Restoration for Everyone Enslaved (FREE) is partnering with Berks Karma Yoga Club for many events. I am a bit late in writing, so some of the events are already passed. But you still have time to get involved in three more events:
Saturday, January 26th : Shri Yoga and Wellness Yogathon followed by a Chinese Auction and Potluck Meal
Yogathon Times TBA at Shri Yoga and Wellness Center
1015 Penn Avenue, Wyomissing, PA 19610 / Shri Yoga Website
Wednesday, January 29th : Free Screening of the Movie “Flesh” followed by interactive discussion
7:30pm at Penn State – Berks Campus / PSU Berks Website
Tulpehocken Road, Reading, PA 19610 – Perkins Student Center Auditorium
Movie Information: Flesh
Friday, January 31st: : “Renting Lacy” Book Discussion
7:00pm – 9:00pm at 1817 Liberty Avenue, Reading, PA 19607
Book Information: Renting Lacy
The middle one is most pertinent to me as it is being sponsored by CSF at Penn State Berks. We will be watching the documentary FLESH which focuses on sex trafficking in the USA. It is very well-done which makes it eye-opening and at times depressing. But it is something we ought not close our eyes to, or allow the depression that it exists to overcome us. For the sake of our communities, our children and our world we need to learn just so we know what to be aware of as well as to take action.
Please consider attending the film discussion (or if you like yoga, the yogathon, or if you like reading, the book discussion).
David Hershey 