priorities in development

After having to delay my trip to Hanoi, Vietnam, I find myself trying to make the most of my time here in good ol’ Macon, Georgia. I was born and raised here and I do love the way the South feels for the most part– I feel, well, at home.

Last Tuesday I attended a hearing at the Courthouse– to talk about an new ordinance that will regulate the massage parlors and spas here in town.  Apparently, in the years that I have been away, there has been a huge trend of “Asian spas” cropping up in Middle Georgia. We’re not far from the world’s busiest airport (in Atlanta) and we’re 30 minutes away from a military base, so it kind of makes sense.

I’ve tried to learn more about what’s going on and what I get from news articles and information from friends & family is that the police raids and investigations on these spas have been unsuccessful. Well, what I would consider unsuccessful.  If a witch-hunt is their purpose, then I suppose they feel pretty happy with themselves. Prostitution is illegal here, obviously.  So until very recently women have (and continue to be) treated as criminals, cited with “masturbation for hire” and other such crimes.  There was no consideration given to the fact these women may or may not be victims of human trafficking.

Luckily, I met some kindred spirits at the hearing and I even got up and said a few words myself.  Sadly, however, some of the arguments for and against the ordinance fell short of recognizing women as potential victims of human trafficking.  Arguments for the ordinance held that these massage parlors ruin the way visitors view Macon, GA (Cherry Blossom capital) and that their presence is corrupting men and ruining families. One man speaking against the ordinance felt that it was a man’s right to go get a hand job or blow job at one of these places and that we’re all Fascists if we think that the government should have any say in the matter.  Some people (and I’ve heard this argument more than once) feel that Macon – which is ranked as 7th worst city in the US in terms of crime – has enough to worry about with all of the drugs, murders and robberies.  I hate this way of thinking. It’s the same with rape cases.  I probably wouldn’t know as much about this if my beau wasn’t a police officer, but seriously, what we read about with rape kit backlogs and such happens everywhere.  Furthermore, prevention isn’t even on their radar. Why would they worry about an attempted rape case when they have actual murders in progress every single night? Why would they “waste time” with saving people who they consider to be prostitutes (since human trafficking victims would readily testify against their captors).

Maybe I’m too much of an idealist, or maybe I am just defensive because this happens to be my passion, but I find it ridiculous to think that people living in slavery (granted investigations need to be done, I guess we can’t just assume they are.. though there’s a good deal of evidence) are treated as less worthy of assistance than people who are robbed.. Not only that, but they are usually treated as criminals! UGH.

Disappointing and frustrating at best.

I did have the pleasure of meeting Dottie, Mary Alice and Andrew, who work as part of MG Alert, which has apparently been working on advocacy and awareness in the Middle Georgia area. I am excited at the prospect of working in their team and look forward to learning more from them and helping them where I can.