This illustration was created by me today and is inspired by this week's Illustration Friday Theme: "Identical".
I drew two very similar girls, the main difference being is one seems like she could be a standard daughter, and the other looks as if she could be a prostitute. The idea behind the drawing is to bring out our pre-conceived thoughts that we have about girls and women who are trapped in prostitution... they are victims of sexual exploitation, and we need to recognize this. The difference between these two girls pictured here is simple: one had a good upbringing, and the other was sexually abused as a young child, and it only got worse from there.
To learn more about the statistics behind sexually exploited women and sex trafficking right here in OUR country, in OUR towns, happening to people we may very well know, please visit Breaking Free, an organization devoted to helping sexually exploited women and girls "break free" of the oppressive, abusive, and down-right horrible prison that is prostitution. Based in Saint Paul, MN, this fantastic, non-for-profit organization began in 1995 by Vednita Carter.
Suziblu is a wonderful artist that I have personally followed for years. She is stepping up to the plate, donating her time and services as a teacher, mentor, and friend to these women and girls by helping them escape through the healing and empowering force that is art. She is looking for any help as far as art journals, supplies, etc. which will enable these females to stop looking at themselves as things to be bought and used, and begin to know themselves as artists, as beautiful women, as FREE. Learn more about what she's doing to help here.
Thank you!
9 comments:
thought provoking post.
I have heard of Suziblu before. That is really nice that she is doing that. We have several women at my church that volunteer at a ministry that helps women get out of sex trafficking.
Wow! Powerful!
very powerful post Jen!! and definitely a worthy cause. There is much need. Think I mentioned to you before that the mother of one of my former kindergarten students does a lot of work with the prostitutes in the Albuquerque. She feels GOd calling her to reach these women . . .maybe part of it is because her own mother still walks the streets.
Such a worthy cause and you captured the same/difference in the girls perfectly! I will be checking out Suziblu....
Redemption must be such good news for those trapped ones. Rahab,(the prostitute) King David's grandmother tasted it and also the woman at the well when she was given a drink of living water, not to mention the lass caught in adultry and about to be stoned to death. We release that same life-giving spirit upon all those women and girls enslaved by "trade".
Great post, Jen! I've heard of this organization. I'll have to look into it more.
Lisa
Awesome and worthy cause-Jennifer!
Great illustration also.
♥♥♥
Sue
What a beautiful post, Jennifer! Your illustration for the "Identical" theme is truly inspired. I checked out the Breaking Free website. Thank you for directing there.
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