Are you a cultural broker?

You may be wondering how to respond to the title question when you don't even know what a cultural broker is. Let me try to explain through something I experienced the other day.

Recently I found myself frustrated when a simple 15-minute trip into CostCo to purchase a few items turned into a 45-minute nightmare. I left convinced that CostCo was one of worst places in the world to buy groceries, not because of food quality or customer service, but because it is impossible to get in and out quickly. I found myself playing "chicken" with people walking down what I thought was obviously the wrong side of the aisle, standing and waiting for customers who thought the middle of the aisle was the best place to stop and look as scared and confused as a deer in the headlights, or waiting for those who seemed to think that taking a slow stroll through CostCo while blabbing on their cell phones was a good way to spend their Sunday afternoon. Noticing that many of the individuals who contributed the length of my CostCo trip were not speaking English, I soon became embarrassed by my thoughts. "Shouldn't they be shopping at the Asian food store? Don't they know we walk on the right side of the aisle? Hasn't anyone told them that grouping together in the middle of the frozen food section is inconvenient for everyone else?"

Now before you think anything less of me as a person, please understand the purpose of me confessing these thoughts. It is NOT to point out flaws in other people, but to point out flaws in the way American culture teaches us to think. Whether it's intentional or not, we are taught that we deserve the best, fastest, most convenient service all the time, and anything that gets in the way of that is bad. We are taught that change is negative and something to be scared of. We are taught that our lives should be comfortable and whatever threatens that should be avoided. We are taught that to be different is to be wrong. All of these notions are completely contrary to the idea of a cultural broker.

So you are still wondering what a cultural broker is. Essentially, a cultural broker is one who helps ease others into a new culture. Whether it's helping a new freshman understand how to be successful in high school (quite a culture shock for some), showing an individual who just arrived in the United States how to use his/her new stove, microwave, refrigerator, or washing machine, or offering counsel to a migrant worker who doesn't understand the American laws, we can all do something more to help others integrate into new cultures.

Elizabeth

There is a 12 year-old girl in India, let's call her Elizabeth. She was born to poor parents who consider a good day's wage two or three dollars. They live in the slums and Elizabeth has little hope of ever achieving something great or becoming someone whom others respect. The course of her life is all but predetermined; she was born into the slums and will die there with no hope of being able to afford the education needed to succeed in life.

So when the opportunity arose for Elizabeth to begin work as a waitress in a nearby village, her parents were excited for her to make something more of herself. This was an opportunity for Elizabeth to earn more than both of her parents combined and potentially save enough to go to school. Although it was difficult to see Elizabeth board the train, her parents were happy to see her venture off on a new opportunity. She could finally have a good life.

However, what Elizabeth and her parents did not realize is that they soon became victims of the lies that are so common among human trafficking perpetrators throughout India. Elizabeth stepped out of the train in an unfamiliar city to be greeted NOT by a restaurant owner, but a brothell owner. She would no longer be able to pursue her dreams of education as a waitress, but would begin the terrible life of a child sex slave.

Throughout the coming months, 12 year-old Elizabeth would "serve" 10-15 men every day against her will. It was very rare, if ever, that she got to see the outside of her room. She was mistreated in every way imaginable, and was often not compensated for the "work" she did. And so continued the life of child sex slave, until one day a group of people had the guts to do something about it.

International Justice Mission (http://www.ijm.org/) was contacted regarding Elizabeth's situation and asked if they could provide help. The organization employs lawyers, criminal experts, law enforcement officers, and many other people with the necessary skill sets to deal with situations just like this.

What can be done? Are their laws in India protecting individuals like Elizabeth even though prostitution is legal? Is it right for Americans to march into another culture and forcefully engage wrongdoers for the sake of bringing justice? How much money will it cost to rescue one 12 year-old girl? Is it worth the risk? Elizabeth sure thinks so!

In the following months after IJM was contacted about Elizabeth's situation, they dedicated an entire team of professionals to determine how she could be released. After working with local Indian government and law enforcement, it was determined the best solution was to raid the brothell in the middle of the night. After much planning, the raid occurred one evening and was a huge success. Not only was Elizabeth rescued, but numerous other girls were freed from bondage, and the brothell owner was captured and faces trial and sentencing.

One of the most amazing things to IJM workers was what Elizabeth had written on the wall next to the exact bed she was being forced against her will to do so many horrible things:

The Lord is my light and my salvation - whom shall I fear?
The Lord is the stronghold of my life - of whom shall I be afraid?
When evil men advance against me to devour my flesh,
When my enemies and my foes attack me, they will stumble and fall.
Though an army besiege me, my heart will not fear;
Though war break out against me, even then will I be confident.
-Psalm 27:1-3

Ask yourself this one question: What can I be doing to help young girls like Elizabeth?

Why I created a Blog...

Most people who know me would be surprised to learn that I have created a blog. I intentionally do not have a myspace or facebook account and this is my first time opening a blog. So why would I choose to do so after resisting to join the online social network for so long?

The main purpose I created this blog is because I am currently a graduate student studying international community development and am learning so much that YOU should know about. Issues such as child labor, racism, mistreatment of women, human trafficking, prostitution, and forced poverty (to name just a few) are much more common throughout the world than most people realize.

I was talking with some fellow students last weekend answering the following question: what is our responsibility in dealing with issues of justice? While each of us has the desire to bring justice to a world filled with injust acts, we understand the reality that it is going to take more than 16 graduate students in Seattle, WA. That is why YOU should commit to reading this blog on a regular basis!

My plan is to post at least once per week. These posts may include all of the following: opportunities to get involved with organizations that are changing lives throughout the world, thoughts or reflections from my classes or reading, questions you can help me answer regarding world issues, and much more. I am excited for this new opportunity and hope that you will take just a few minutes each week to join me in reflecting on our responsibility to change the world.