What do you call the victim, someone who suffers from not having a right?
For example, the perspective of the public about sexually trafficked victims
is often so different from reality.
Many of these victims do not always see themselves as "slaves."
Often, the people who traffic them are considered by the victims
to be their boyfriend.
Thus, Right to Liberty is not even what they are seeking,
although we, the public, may think so.
What many of them are seeking is more simple:
the Right to Love and the Right to Respect.
The idea of being in someone else's shoes applies here.
I have come across many times in writing this blog that
victims lacking rights often have a hugely different perspective
of themselves than the general public has of them.
Another instance of this are the young immigrants without papers who do not
consider themselves 'illegal,' which implies, to them, criminal behavior.
Instead, they may think of themselves as 'undocumented.
One of these "DREAMers" of the DREAM Act, stated last week in a forum,
"No one is born illegal."
So, be careful. Consider well what you words you use for a victim of rights.
For more information,
this is the original posting of The Right to Liberty.
Here is a list of anti-slave-trafficking sites.
Get informed, before making opinions about victims.
For example, the perspective of the public about sexually trafficked victims
is often so different from reality.
Many of these victims do not always see themselves as "slaves."
Often, the people who traffic them are considered by the victims
to be their boyfriend.
Thus, Right to Liberty is not even what they are seeking,
although we, the public, may think so.
What many of them are seeking is more simple:
the Right to Love and the Right to Respect.
The idea of being in someone else's shoes applies here.
I have come across many times in writing this blog that
victims lacking rights often have a hugely different perspective
of themselves than the general public has of them.
Another instance of this are the young immigrants without papers who do not
consider themselves 'illegal,' which implies, to them, criminal behavior.
Instead, they may think of themselves as 'undocumented.
One of these "DREAMers" of the DREAM Act, stated last week in a forum,
"No one is born illegal."
So, be careful. Consider well what you words you use for a victim of rights.
For more information,
this is the original posting of The Right to Liberty.
Here is a list of anti-slave-trafficking sites.
Get informed, before making opinions about victims.
56 comments:
That's why it's not right to label people when you label them you're judging them and limiting yourself from really knowing that person. I definitely agree with the statement " put yourself in others shoes" the world would be much more bearable if everyone would take that into consideration.
ARBA
People that have not voice like an immigrant, an abused woman and abused child suffer a lot because they don’t have the most important right, The Right to Speech to be able to defend themselves.
MCC
Many times we tend to speak first and think later. We label races and profile them. We forget that there are victims out there who have no voice to speak and cannot defend themselves. Think like them and we may learn to understand them.mjd
I agree that at times we consider people something that they don't consider themselves as....but I think that people in a tough situation such as a trafficked victim or illegal victims, feel that they don't have the right to speak! Thinking that they lack the right to freedom, a lot if times they just accept what we have misjudged them as......NYH!!
The fact that people out there manage to manipulate the lives of others in order to position themselves where the victim is left believing they have no right or a chance for hope simply breaks my heart. The right to hope and dream for change should never be taken that way. MV
Creating labels for people is something unavoidable and that needs to be done to keep order if we think about the terms "black" and "hispanic" there's nothing wrong with being labeled either because there isn't any negative connotation used in either of those terms. This however doesn't mean that we should go around and label others as something degrading we still need to respect them regardless of the position they're in. In terms of describing victims there are certain words that are offensive we may not realize it because us ourselves may not be victims in the same way they are but we still need to be considerate and try to use the best words possible in order to describe them. ID
We sometimes stare at abused, (or urge not to) but don't help much when overdoing the apology for something that wasn't caused by us. That is how we may infringe on another's right to a normal life. Treat other's as equals because no one seeks to be pitied day in and day out. SV
How can you help when sometimes the victims in some cases are part of the problem, I known some wifes that get verbally or physically abuse and sometimes both, yet they still continue in their relationship, and I can't help to think why, however that is the problem because I can't put my self in that situation or to be more precise in their shoes.
YGR
Everyone has the rights to have rights, even though, some people don’t believe that. Sexual traffic victims at times may belief that they do not have a choice because they are afraid to face the abuser. Or they consider that continuing the abuse is the right choice. No one knows why they are allowing the abuse, nevertheless, when one speaks we need to select the proper words to ensure that no one is being disrespected or hurt. JPA
All persons should have the right to emigrate, and if not entering legally a country turns you into an illegal, that term should be reviewed by the international conventions and gives it another name so society can see you as a person who has the right to live where you feel respected.DAM
I agree. Until your in someone elses shoes it is not right to judge because what someone else might feel the other person does not. We all have feelings and emotions towards things and sometimes they are different from one other. This may be because the other person may not know what is right and what is right for them as the individual. -SA
The only way to fully understand a “victim” is to experience that life first hand. Victims have their reasons for enduring hardships and they struggle within themselves to fight for their personal hopes, beliefs, freedoms and rights. Respect all people regardless of their situations. JA
Describing an immigrant as illegal is legally erroneous. The term “illegal” does not necessary describe immigrants as victims of something or intruder individuals. Immigrants become victims when some governments secluded them from their needs. Immigrants are humans with different dynasties and the same right to establish a better future in a foreign country. People become victims of something when their ignorance overpowers the reality in what they are living. Individuals have the right to educate themselves. Most people have access to media and they can found guidance just dialing a number. There is no excuse anymore to remain a victim. Except when is not in our hands.
Apple
Before we try to solve other people’s problems we need to make sure we know what is behind it. We are all different and we do not see all things in the same manner. Take the invasion in Iran/Irak for instance, we were trying to set them free and to impose our Democratic beliefs on their nation when they actually see it as a sin. They rejected our help because they think what they have works. For people to have rights, they need to want them for themselves not to be forced into them. They have the right not to exercise their rights.
GS
Never judge a book by its cover, but of course if read the book and it reflects its cover, why should the rights to express your thoughts be revoked? I must agree with Apple, every victim has the same rights that the public has, but whether they choose to exercise it or not is up to them. Some victims have come to prove themselves above the labels, and some, have come to define it.
JPK
As I read the comments and the post, I can't help but at times anger the response of some people. I come from a place in which I have seen a child who struggle with sexual abuse, a mother who felt threaten by her abuser, a young boy victim of sexual trafficking. yes, it is correct that some people go back to abusive relationship, but what you must understand is the background this people come from, most of them saw abuse in their own family, most of them feel that they are not important enough, or valuable enough to be care after. It is very cruel to say "victims are sometimes the problem" psychology helps us understand why people do what they do, and empathy teaches us to feel bad for those who struggle with such experiences. no one choses abuse, everyone wants happiness but unfortunately we lack the help, the kind words for those in need of our love.
SL
The sick and twisted manipulate those who have empty voids searching for a purpose. The right to love has many dimensions so those evil enough take advantage of their so called "close ones". I feel like unless there is a change biochemically within us, there will always be sex trafficking unfortunately. BB
Know People before you judge people. I have many friends of different race. One of my best friends is mexican and we never know what some people go through unless you get to know them. He was born in Mexico, himself and his mother are immigrants. I used to tease him a lot about his race until he told me about his background. I can say i will never disrespect him and his race again.
A252
I agree that a lot of people today judge others without really knowing them.
Illegal people don't consider themselves as “aliens” or "undocumented". They're just people who want to start a new life and have better opportunities. I think sexually trafficked victims want the right to love and respect but they also want liberty. They want to be free and make their own decisions like the rest of us. Just like people that are illegal here in the U.S, they just want a new start.
JB
Not having rights is the same as not having a voice. As well as taking away protection, refuge, and safeguard from a person and their family. AD
People rarely put themselves in others shoes. Even if we try, unless we have experienced something similar to them we really cant imagine how it would be to be in their shoes. We all think and process thing differently making it more difficult to know what others feel and or think. DDL
Seeing through someone else’s eyes offers insight. Until then, who are we to judge others? SAM
its like taking a piece of artwork and showing it to a crowd made up of different ppl from different cultures. we will all have different interpretations of a situation. what may not seem right to us, may not have even crossed their minds of being wrong. If a certain "right" does not exist in some countries, do these "victims" even see themselves as victims? Rks
Perhaps the sex trafficked victim may not see ones self as a victim due to a form of mind molding by the 'boyfriend' or pimp, which is common in these cases especially if they are cut off from the outside world and kept in doors 24/7. There should be a way of showing these victims that what they do is wrong, assuming they do this for money and undo what the 'boyfriend' has done to their minds.
It is very interesting that the people that we consider to be "victims" don't really see themselves as that. Many times we assume that we all think the same, but we will never know what another person is thinking or feeling unless we are in their shoes. This is why it is very important to think before using certain words to "label" people. We are all equal and people should be more sensitive to other people's feelings. AVJ (My post is right above this one, but i forgot to leave my initials)
Defining someone as a victim may not be the best term to use because it does provide a negative connotation. The person that is being seen as a victim may feel offended of the phrase "victim". So we must find a way to understand the person and see them the way they want to be seen. CMH
It is very sad that we do lable people and the funny thing is we lable people illegal immigrants, then when they are legal we still lable them. For example on some forms the have race: American, African American, Hispanic, etc.Why do they feel the need to put that? we are all Americans. As for the sex-trafficing that is a sad subject and I personally have met people who have been victims of that and some see it as a normal way of life and have a different out look because that's all they know. Until someone stands up for them or they expand there minds they won't know the difference or another way. But we judge them sometimes not thinking how they ended up there. So until you know their story and tried to walk in their shoes we shouldn't be so quick to judge.
ATM
Many women and children in situations like being sexually trafficked have been so brainwashed they don’t see themselves as victims. For anyone who has not been in that situation may fine it difficult to see their reasonings. ANC
Most times, we like to judge others solely on what little we know about them instead of them as a person. We forget that nobody can pick and choose where we came from. It's just who we are. I come from a hispanic background the same someone comes from an African-American background. Sometimes people feel the need to put labels on everything when it may not be necessary. Mainly, we should learn to think before we speak.
Most times, we like to judge others solely on what little we know about them instead of them as a person. We forget that nobody can pick and choose where we came from. It's just who we are. I come from a hispanic background the same someone comes from an African-American background. Sometimes people feel the need to put labels on everything when it may not be necessary. Mainly, we should learn to think before we speak. MR
I think of a victim as a person who needs help whether they desire it or not! Instead, we judge one another. You never know what is going on in a person’s life or even how they were raised. Sometimes how you are raised is everything; some people do not know any better. Then to make it worse, Americans, who do know better are one of the largest consumers of human trafficking. How could we even allow this to happen? It is appalling how someone could take absolute control over a person’s life or even his or her whole mentality. HL
The labels that come from a stereotypical mindset are wrong, and I totally agree with what others have posted in regards to them. However in the interest of playing devils advocate for a minute. There are times were I feel people don't call things as they are in order to rationalize or trying be politically correct and not offend anyone. I however am under the opinion that sometimes you have to call something what it is regardless of peoples feelings. A person who steals is called a thief because they have committed a theft. Someone who has entered a country illegally is an "Illegal" because they have committed a crime they have broken the laws of that country, state, territory, property etc. In regards though to the children of the "Illegal's" born in that country they are (especially in the U.S) considered citizens regardless and they are exempt from the crimes of the parent and labeling them or judging them for a crime they did not commit is wrong. MAR III
I totally agree with the statement as well.Which is necessary to put yourself in others shoes before judging anyone, for there actions or there way of living.You only know what someone else is going threw when you yourself experience the same situation.Our God created us free individuals with the right to choose how our lifes would be like.So if our creator made us free people,who is anyone on this earth created by him to think they have the right to take our freedom, to disrespect us, or even worse to turn us into their personal slaves.
AMV
Spanish Psychologist Roberto Roche describe as proactive actions all the activities the people make in favor of others in order to achieve common good. Those actions must be really helpful. We cannot assume what a person needs; instead we really need to know what she or he wants. Probably what a person thinks as a right or good deed another person sees it as irrelevant. Maybe this is the reason some people want to change the word illegal to undocumented. I think we need to focus in knowing what our society really needs and no assume what will be better.
HA
A slave has no right to freedom or any civil rights at all. Therefore, he or she is told what to do, what to expect and how to act.
They don't have options, they don't have a voice and have no right to demand. People in these situatuions normally take a dark route in life.
Most end up as criminals or in gangs to try and defend themselves. I believe that everyone deserves respect.
Which is better than having any rights to freedom. DDB
I'm always very cautious around people who have been denied their rights because I'm not sure what words are alright to use and what words could hurt or offend the person.
-APX
It is wrong to judge a person, especially when you don't know what they're exactly going through. You will never know all of the stuff they have been through, yet people will still judge because they feel as if they have the right to do so. ECZ
One should not be judgmental and choose words carefully in any situation, particularly where there is a victim involved. Perception of the scenario would be the key point when describing victims. Each individual’s personal opinion plays a huge role as it may lead to different categorizations of a victim and therefore conclusions. I find very hard to fill in someone else’s shoes as each individual’s personal experience may be unique and differ from one person to another, it’s not possible to measure how well one can understand or feel the same as someone else. Although standards are set to identify victims, it is important to do so respectfully to understand their level of acceptance and how strong they feel about copping with the issue. More than lacking the right to have a right I think of victims as individuals lacking confidence, unless is not in their power to solve the matter. Either way, human kind tends to forget the right to coexist to live a fulfilled life rather than putting titles to problems. COCO.
I agree with Apple to a certain extent. In the age of information, ignorance is a choice. This however, is not an absolute truth. Though most of us have the "know how" to Google search a legal inquiry, or dial a help line. Certain individuals are not fully aware or capable of accessing these services. An immigrant may not come from an educated background, or may not speak the language. Therefor missing out on opportunities they might have otherwise taken advantage of. Same goes for a trafficking victim. If said individual is in an abusive relationship, there are certain psychological factors that must be taken into consideration. Lacking the confidence to go out into the world without the help of their “benefactor”, or possibly fear for their life if threatened by that person.
MRM
We humans tend to persuade others that even though something awful happened to them there are others that have it worse. I believe people shouldn't have a right to opinion sometimes. No one knows the power of someones pain without being in their shoes. Words are like bullets, sometimes we are so ignorant to other peoples troubles. Its easy for me go to college unlike the "Dreamers." I was born here. Those people live a frustrated life.They have to be patient. Start a year or to later. Getting approved. Etc...We all were born with the same insides.
SMiLey
Sometimes people make comments without knowing what others are going through . I've heard many bad comments and even insults about undocummented people and I think it'so unfair, everyone has the right to dream and make a better life. Putting yourself in others shoes might help when talking about someone else but in my opinion not always. It's not the same thing imagining that something could happen to you than living it as a reality. CPO.
I had never thought of it that way in some of those minor cases, like about a person being "illegal" and what it could mean to them. It makes me wonder how many other people are out there being treated like victims, and I can't see it because it's minor, and they themselves are unaware or refuse to bring it forward themselves.
NLG
Victims in the end are just like us, humans. They may lead different life styles and financial situations, but that does not allow us to think of them differently or consider them less then us. We all should take a good look at ourselves before judging others.
RV646
Who would we be if we at times we were not victims? One right we have as humans, is the right to understand things in our own way. Most of us do not like to see ourselves as victims. Most consider it as a form of weakness, and as humans, we do not like to feel weak. However, another trait of humans is empathy for others, and empathy is what I feel for these victims.
Mercy
Everyone has basic human rights, no matter where they are from. A lot of people say that certain people don't have a voice. I don't beleive that, i beleive everyone has a voice they just have to find it. However, the public tends to criticize easily and simply go by what we think is right or wrong without stepping into the other persons shoes, and finding out the meaning behind the act.
-GPC
alot of people that are considerd victims are really not victims it is a lifesstyle choice after awhile. It's sad because they think thats all they can do but its not, and whenever someone like a cop comes to help they find anyway to get away from the ones that can actually help them.
-RJA
The key here is to put yourself in someone else's shoes. Most people are too quick to judge and forget there's more than meets the eye. Labeling someone isn't necessary. No matter the situation, we have to respect and be considerate to others. MR
It is very easy to judge others and assume you could possibly understand what they could have experienced in life. Sexually abused victims do not feel like they need the right to liberty because each and everyone of them perceive themselves in different ways. Since a great percentage of these victims are being used by people in their lives they thought they could trust, their judgment is hazed.They do deserve the right to choose their own life path with a clear mind and without any influence of anyone around them. AS
Human trafficking and slavery are terms that should not be use in the twenty first century. This is a horrendous and inhumane crime. We human beings are born free, and no one has the right to take that away. EL
Never judge a book by it's cover! We shouldn't label anybody by their "race" or just because they don't have "papers". Sometimes we tend to say things that offend others, but because we're not in their position or in their shoes, we don't realized it. We might think someone is a victim when in reality they're not.
AS
All our lives we are told to put ourselves in other people’s shoes. Why is this so hard for people to do in the first place? Offending others could be easily avoided by talking to them the way we like being talked to, with respect. People are so quick to judge, and say things without even thinking that what they say can offend someone. BG
Human Trafficking is a crime against humanity. The question we should ask ourselves is; what is done? How it is done? And why it is done? SM
No one should be right-less on this earth, people need to know that there is help available to whomever needs it. People are sometimes victims of society, and it is our job to make them feel at ease and not as victims. SVV
Children with no basic education, have the tendency to believe that what is wrong is actually right.LC
Not to be derogatory but this is the same as males and females with "daddy issues." Touchy, I know, but that is not meant to carry a negative connotation. We elicit the bad fortune carried by many victims; when in reality, they have been brought up in a different reality. When living is all we know, it is important to understand that our own behavior has been brought on by environmental, habitual, and parental natures. SV
People are always so quick to judge a person on the outside, not knowing what could be going on in the inside of the person. I try not to judge people without knowing their story. A lot of sexually trafficked victims I feel often have low self-esteem or maybe the person who brought them into that life style threatened to hurt them if they try to stop doing it. They also may not really know that what they are doing is wrong.
ADT
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