The biggest influx of slaves into the United States did not happen in the 1800’s. It is happening now. And what are we doing about it? Tragically, our nation is supporting it: passively and actively.

Slavery is a scourge in the history of our country. While some are talking about reparations, tearing down statues and renaming buildings, we need to look in a mirror and admit the same is happening now. No. Let me correct that. It is worse.  

According to a PBS article by Henry Louis Gates, Jr., throughout the entire history of slave trade, about 388,000 African Americans were brought into North America from 1525-1866. 

Through our porous borders, children are still being brought in for sex trafficking. Modern day slavery. We do not see the public auctions, beatings, and shackles. But they are happening. Right now. Right here in the USA. Where is the outrage?

The number of children and women involved in sexual slavery are difficult to count because they are underground clandestine activities. But from what we do know, the numbers are horrific. Estimates of women and children forced into sex slavery in the USA each year range from 240,000 to 325,000 (HHS), or 100,000 to 300,000 (University of Pennsylvania), or 15,000 to 50,000 (Deliver Fund). Many have been smuggled through our open borders, some abducted here. 

When they are no longer useful, they are cast off, sentenced to a life of psychological trauma. Their suffering will go on for decades. 

For this reason alone, everyone who cares about children should stand at our borders, locking arms, stopping this slave trade. 

These numbers of today’s slaves are far worse than the slave trade in centuries past. And all of it is horrible. If you had a chance to stop a slave boat from arriving in the USA in the 1800’s would you do it? If so, why not now? What is stopping you from standing up against this slavery of today? 

Tragically, leaders and educators are more concerned about protecting children’s pronouns than protecting their lives. Everyone running for president should put this issue at the top of their platform. The slave trade continues. And by our silence, we are actively and passively supporting it.