The Prostitution of Children in San Diego

Abstract
The popularity of underage human trafficking in the United States is rising. Up to 1.2 million people are trafficked across international borders yearly. This equates to two people a minute! Of the 17,500 people illegally forced into the US each year, over half are minors. More often than not, these children are forced to enter the complex industry of sexual trading. This not only destroys innocence, but it also creates a horrid cycle of murder, crime, and violence. Across international borders, the trading of children proves to be incredibly lucrative. The lure of money and power draws many men, known as “pimps” into the prostitution business. With trickery and manipulation, children are coerced into performing sexual “tricks” for men, known as “johns”, who are usually over twice their age. The problem has continued to grow since originally being recognized in the 1970’s, and in 2005 it was estimated that as many as 800,000 American children are at risk of being forced into prostitution.
Despite government attempts to decrease underage human sex trafficking, the crime rate continues to grow. In 1974 Congress passed the Juvenile Justice Delinquency Prevention Act. This Act prevents the detention of runaway minors. Before it was passed, police officers were required to arrest and detain run away minors. In keeping the children off the streets government officials hoped to decrease the amount of crimes and acts of violence the kids committed. It did not work. While petty crime decreased, larger, more serious crimes continued to be committed. With money being spent, and wasted, on arresting and holding the children, Congress passed the Juvenile Justice Delinquency Act. This made it illegal to arrest a minor and hold them after running away.
The number of minors trading sex for money sky rocketed after the passing of this act. Because underage children were living on the street and being forced to support themselves, many of them turned to prostitution for money. They found financial support in entering the industry on their own. Once the children became more experienced in the business they were approached by “pimps” who promised them warm food and a place to stay. After falling prey to the “pimps” many child prostitutes never received money for performing “tricks”. The industry they once entered to survive quickly shifted into awful forms of modern slavery. The law still exists today and the advancement of taking child prostitutes off the street is still lacking.
Because most of the sexual trading happens in private places, it is virtually impossible for police to detect when underage trafficking is taking place. If more people are told what is happening, and learn the facts, they will be able to recognize a problem and report it fast. A good way to educate the public about this issue is to bring awareness to it on a community level. Many adults are aware of the issue but, since it does not directly affect them or their family, it is not prioritized as a significant problem. There is no doubt that if most people understood the urgency of this issue, they would not hesitate to help stop the exploitation in any way they could. Unfortunately the importance of stopping underage prostitution is not well known. The public must be educated.
Television is a very useful tool in spreading knowledge. If public service announcements (PSAs) were broadcast throughout major cities, like San Diego, the facts about child prostitution would be better known. The issue of minors being sexually trafficked would be brought up regularly, therefore increasing the problem's awareness. Along with these PSAs children should be informed of the issue through lessons taught in school. Middle school and high school students are the main targets of sex criminals so it is very important that they understand the issue their demographic faces. They should be taught to notice the signs victims of the sex trafficking business may display and they should know where to report a crime like this. The lessons taught in school will provide them with this knowledge. They will be aware of the issue as it is happening and be able to minimize its popularity in the future by not falling victim to the traps many uneducated children fall for.

The Life of Jeremy White

Here is the biography of my new friend Jeremy White...

On August 27, 1976 in Sacramento, California, Jeremy White, Nancy and Greg White’s first child, was born. He was the first of four, followed by two brothers and a sister. Nancy was a stay at home mother and really dedicated all of her time to raising the children. She always put others before herself and it was later said that Nancy’s big heart is what makes her Jeremy’s most favorite person on the planet. When Jeremy was a year old his family moved next door to his soon-to-be best friend. Despite Greg and Nancy’s split in 1982, Jeremy lived in this house for the rest of his childhood. His best friend is two years older and as a child he really served as a role model for Jeremy.
As Jeremy grew older he became closer to his best friend and neighbor. Both kids developed a love for music very early on and within a few years of schooling Jeremy learned to play the drums along with his best friend. This passion followed the two all the way through high school where they joined the band at Sacramento High School. Jeremy was not particularly popular but he had plenty of friends and was very confident in who he was. His grades were decent and with such a passion for music Jeremy stayed out of trouble.
After high school Jeremy went to Sacramento State University. Here he majored in music and really became involved in the music industry. His dream in life was to tour with a band that had a record label and after college he had his chance! Jeremy moved to Japan and began playing drums for a band called Two Ball Lou. He had everything he ever wanted and had a great life. Two Ball Lou toured with many famous bands and Jeremy really got to experience what life was like for a rock star. Sadly, after about a year, it became evident that the band was not going to stay together. One member did not have the ability to communicate with others and it tore the rest apart. After returning home Jeremy realized that he wanted to help people.
After experiencing what it was like working with a bad communicator Jeremy decided he wanted to be the exact opposite, a good listener and great helper. After returning to school at San Diego State University and briefly owning his own real estate business Jeremy found his dream job as a financial planner. Jeremy is still working this job today and couldn’t be happier. He loves the freedom of his schedule and that fact that he gets to help people on a daily basis. Jeremy is content with his life path and very excited to see what comes next; as is everyone who comes into contact with this great guy!

"In Defense of Food"

People choose to eat unhealthy products for a variety of reasons. Of course, it seems, that the most "unhealthy" foods taste the best. The lure of flavor often draws people in. Unhealthy foods also tend to be the cheapest and most easily accessible. When the healthy option is more expensive, or will take longer, the issue of what to eat turns into efficiency in eating time. I also believe that since no food is bad enough to immediately kill a human, many people don't think about long term effect, only the short term. The mind set is now that no matter what the health content is in this food, it will satisfy now and may or may not have consequences to deal with later.
I feel like the government should remain fairly hands off in the healthy foods debate. I do believe that the products need to be labeled with ingredients and health content (calories, saturated fat, etc) but education is not necessary. Obviously though, if a chemical is harmful to humans, like a chemical in water bottles, it should be outlawed and taken off the market. I'm not sure how it is around the world, but in America I think the obsession with food and diet has gone beyond safe or healthy. Each person is different so each person needs to eat differently. The government should not be responsible in monitoring this.

Barder the Flying Dog

Using the visual prompt above, we were to write a short story on what we believed was happening.

This photo was taken by Jan Von Holleben. To find more of his photography visit http://www.janvonholleben.com/?page_id=4

Once upon a time there was a little boy named Sam. Sam was very spoiled. He lived in a huge mansion on the coast with his dad, John, mom, Betty, and their three servants, Emily, Douglas, and Josephine. Sam grew up getting everything he ever asked for. From the time he could walk he only wore the most expensive shoes. His tricycle was made of pure gold and at his request, Sam would be bought any toy he pleased. There was no limit to his luxuries. His parents did not need to work so they spent every day relaxing and vacationing, but mostly attending to their only child. Sam's life was one that most people only dream of and he had barely reached the age of five.

On a cold day in September Sam was playing by himself on the beach. His parents had gone off in search of another car to buy and left him with Emily. She was preparing lunch and told Sam to play outside until it was ready. After about ten minutes Sam got bored. He ran into the house and ordered Emily to find him something to do. She frantically searched the house as Sam continued to scream. After a seemingly endless search through all the rooms of toys, Emily found nothing to please the young boy. Sam continued his horrid tantrum as he stormed out the back door to the nearby beach.

Sam was angry and kicked everything in sight in his way to the shore. He hated everything. Suddenly, a dog walked up and began talking to Sam. "Leave me alone!" yelled Sam. "I have something important to show you though" said the dog. After explaining to the boy that his name was Barder and he was a magical flying dog, the boy began to listen. He reluctantly gave the dog a chance after being shown the cool orange turban Barder had. "Jump on my back, I have something to show you" said Barder. Sam hopped on and the dog slowly began running until they were flying. Soon the boy and the dog reached a part of town Sam had never been to. "What us this place?" he asked. "It's called the ghetto" Barder answered. "Wow! It's so weird!" Sam thought. As the two flew over all the poor people and crumbling homes Barder explained how hard life could be and that not everyone was as privileged as the young boy. He told Sam how almost nobody had things handed them to them in life. Sam was slightly confused. As they landed Sam felt a sudden appreciation for all he had. Barder know his work was done so he flew off to help another spoiled brat.

How do you know when it's time to step in?

The topic of America's involvement in foreign countries is one of heated opinions and controversial topics. The big question is when to draw the line? As such a powerful country is it our responsibility to help out nations in need? Or do we leave them alone to solve the issue by themselves?

This question has recently become even more pressing as the wars and tragedy unfold in our Southern neighbor, Mexico. I just read an article about the worsening of crime and public violence in the country. As the drug lords gain more power the Mexican government is beginning to lose control. With more and more murders each day, the situation is terrorizing the Mexican people. Innocent citizens are being taken hostage as a way to get money and exhibit their power. In 2008 alone over 6,300 people were killed in relation to the drug wars (that is more than double the amount in 2007). The awful tortures and killings continue as the government loses power. Public displays of the drug lords' power are every where. In 2008, "A 5-year-old boy whose parents had a stall in a [local] market was kidnapped in October. When the kidnappers thought the police were on to them, they killed the boy by injecting him with acid". Another man was beheaded and his body was hung from a bridge while his head was found in the town square.

These crimes cannot continue. I do believe that every country is responsible for themselves and should be capable of solving their own problems, but in this case somebody must step in. The Mexican government can obviously not control the underground power rings and it is crucial to stop the vicious cycle before things get worse. The United States is one of the most powerful nations in the world yet our neighbors right across the border still struggle with control. I think it is America's responsibility to step in and help this country in need. For the good of the Mexican people it is necessary. The drug war is destroying the Mexican population and if it is not monitored correctly the terror will soon cross the border. As a human community we must help each other out. Those with the capability should step in because some day they may be the ones in need.

(link to the article, "Mexico: The War Next Door")

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2009/02/26/60minutes/main4831806.shtml 

America's Next Top Model: Donnie Lemons

(Donnie Lemons, fourth from the left)

Bill Sullivan is a "Situational Artist". He captures moments in time that would otherwise be forgotten forever. Following the 7 rules below he photographed hundreds of New York subway riders as they entered through the turn styles. The story I created is based off one of those pictures. There is a story behind every person and a reason for every detail in the photo. I chose to illustrate what I thought was happening with the man I named Donnie Lemons. This of course is all a guess and nothing is based on fact. To see more similar photos follow the link below the 7 rules.

7 Rules to Situational Photography

1. The image or photograph must be candid
2. The context of the situation must be clearly established
3. The background behind every subject in a series must be the same
4. The photographer must always be visible to the subject(s) in the photograph
5. The moments the images are to be taken must be defined before the pictures are taken
6. Secondary image(s) can be attached to the primary image if needed to clarify an established context
7. The camera should not play a visible role in the situation unless its visible presence has a role in that scenario

http://www.3situations.com/BillSullivanWorks/MTmaster.html

America's Next Top Model: Donnie Lemons

Donnie had a dream and he was determined to fulfill it. Ever since he watched the first episode of America’s Next Top Model in May of 2003 he knew that someday he would stand in front of those judges and be announced the winner. There had never been a male model as successful as Tyra Banks, but Donnie Lemons was sure to change that. For months he worked on his physique. He may have been on the short side but Donnie did not let that slow him down. He spent months at the gym buffing up and building those muscles. He ate nothing but protein shakes and raw eggs, just like a true man. After one last session at the gym and a final day at the tanning salon Donnie was ready. He flew all the way to Los Angeles, California from New York. On audition day Donnie displayed more confidence then ever before as he walked in to present himself.
He was turned down. Tyra Banks, the one and only, had personally crushed the dream Donnie had worked so hard for. For almost five years Donnie went into hiding. He could barely find a reason to live since he hadn’t even made it into the house on America’s Next Top Model. He saw no point in existing if not a successful top model. All of Donnie’s hard work slowly faded and his big bulky muscles disappeared. He began to bald and loose his sense in fashion (something that he NEVER thought would happen, to him style was instinctual). Then, after many months sitting at home Donnie decided to end his misery and turn his life around. In stead of wasting time at the gym (which obviously did not work last time), Donnie spent hours in front of the mirror improving his facial expressions and model poses. He decided to go all natural but he had to return with more experience to really impress the judges. Donnie didn’t want the judges loving him for something he wasn’t so bald head and all he was ready.
Finally the day came when it was time to audition. Once again Donnie prepared to travel all the way to California and stand in front of the judges. As he was walking through the turn styles to board the train, modeling book in hand, Donnie flashed one last pose. Suddenly the click of a camera went off on the other side and the moment was permanently captured. Donnie was ecstatic; this was it, that’s the picture that would make him famous! He knew this modeling thing was meant to be, it was his destiny!