To do so involves helping them get to know who they are and are not and exposing them to the ‘real world’. We parents want our children to learn to make wise choices. That means sometimes making poor choices, as every human being sometimes does. But, ultimately, the choice remains theirs. We guide survivors to think through the results of various options. They may participate in a focus group or lunch with the CEO in which they have a voice in programming. When they look over the roster of support groups, they can choose one from multiple options in each category. Victims are treated as property, a commodity, whose decision-making capacity atrophies like a seldom used muscle.Īt End Slavery Tennessee, we recognize the dehumanizing effects of a life without choice-a transactional life in which you only get something (eat, sleep, remain safe…) if you do exactly what your trafficker dictates only if you earn a set sum of money, seven days a week.įrom the moment a survivor enters our Care Center, they have the choice in what clothing, toiletries and food they prefer. But the workplace scene described above only begins to portray the existence of a human trafficking victim. Sound like an episode of The Twilight Zone? Tyranny of choice is a somewhat humorous consequence of our abundant first-world existence. If you don’t comply, you will suffer harm.” You may not EVER leave.” And then in small letters at the bottom, “If you don’t comply, we know where your family lives. But at the door is a sign: “You may not leave until we say so. What would you do at that point? Walk out, of course. In its place is a note that says, “Phone use is entirely at the discretion of your supervisor.” What if you head to the breakroom for lunch, and you find the sign, “There will be no breaks or lunch until you meet your quotas.” Now, you are the one thinking (if not saying) those bad words! You say, that is it! And you reach for the phone to complain to the Department of Labor. “Find attached a list of words and phrases that are acceptable (and unacceptable) in the work place.” Oh good, you think, finally certain crude people will have to clean up their language around here. “Find attached a list of acceptable attire.” The list is short (in more ways than one) and not what you are comfortable with. But everyone plays along because, surely this is a joke or a mistake that will soon be corrected by upper management. FOMO is ever present: What if we don’t make the BEST choice?!īut what if all that suddenly changed? Say you show up for work one day to find a rule posted on the locked restroom door: “Request the key from your supervisor.” No, this couldn’t be. And, indeed, limitless choices can actually lead to stress. Here in America we have an abundance of choice about virtually everything from breakfast cereals to college majors. When advised they no longer carry the slightly sweet chai mix and didn’t have blueberries, I revised my order, choosing from the numerous alternatives, commenting with a laugh, “And I thought I was ready for this quiz.” The barista smiled, nodded and said, “Tyranny of choice!” I gave my well-practiced order to the Starbucks barista: A tall, slightly sweetened chai latte with almond milk, no water, and a blueberry oatmeal.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |