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Inspiring Student Activism
By Danny Papa, K-12 Supervisor of Art, Technology Education, and Social
Studies, Jefferson Township Public Schools
“Does slavery still exist United States Senate; their efforts the world, including here in the U.S.”
even created an opportunity to testify It is undeniable that this issue is a
today?” This is the single most before the U.S. Senate Committee on relevant, current, and real concern that
important question I ever asked my Homeland Security. is threatening our world daily.
8th grade students. The discussion The International Labor Organization So, what does this issue have to with
in my classroom that day sparked estimates that 24.9 million people New Jersey schools? When my stu-
a student abolitionist movement globally were forced into one of many dents learned about human trafficking
as 30 students decided to serve a forms of modern-day slavery in 2016. in class, they immediately identified
cause greater than themselves. After Human trafficking is the third largest how this crime directly impacts stu-
learning about modern-day slavery, international crime and at the rate dents of their own age and recognized
my students founded a non-profit of growth could soon eclipse drug they could even be at risk. Fueled by
organization to raise awareness in and weapons trafficking. According passion and empathy, these students
schools about human trafficking. The to the Polaris Project, “Although seized the opportunity to research
students created videos, a website, slavery is commonly thought to be a exactly what the warning signs and
made presentations, and formed thing of the past, human traffickers risk factors of human trafficking are
partnerships with law enforcement generate hundreds of billions of and vowed to increase awareness in
and government agencies. The dollars in profits by trapping millions New Jersey and beyond. They created
students’ work was recognized in the
of people in horrific situations around the organization Project Stay Gold
Educational Viewpoints -82- Spring 2018
