2012-05-30
The Story Behind A Song
A few years ago, I was introduced to the work of International Justice Mission through Jim Palmer’s book, Divine Nobodies. A friend had given me a copy of the book, and one chapter detailed a trip that Jim took to Asia to join IJM on an undercover fact finding mission. The account is absolutely heartbreaking as he details visiting multiple brothels that offer girls as young as 10 years old to western sex-tourists. He goes on to tell about the emotional impact of talking to a girl, now in recovery, who had been rescued from a brothel under a hail of gunfire, and how thankful she was to be free. These accounts were all the more gut-wrenching because of how similar these people and locations are to my childhood memories of living and traveling through Thailand, India, and Nepal. The girls Jim was describing were identical to my friends in these areas. Many of their families were so poor and desperate, that they may have eventually suffered the same fate as well.
(My Nepalese friends and I in Pokhara, Nepal - 1996)
Shortly after reading Divine Nobodies, I discussed this issue with my dad. The non-profit that he was working for at the time partnered with IJM on fundraising and other initiatives, and he encouraged me to look into the issue more extensively. I went to IJM’s website and read through a handful of news updates and case studies. The stories are both horrific and hopeful to an extent that I was completely overwhelmed. My mind was so full of compassion, horror, hope, and desperation that the only thing I could do was pour these feelings out on a page. The result of that outpouring was a song called Exploitation. As a musician, sometimes the only way you can deal with an overwhelming issue is to stomp/sing about it.
I hoped through singing this song, and having it on a record, I could do a small part to raise awareness for this issue. At the same time, this didn’t seem like enough. The problem is so vast that simple awareness seems completely useless. Through my dad, I ended up contacting IJM and letting them know that I would like to do more to help the cause in whatever way possible.
Fortunately, this coincided very well with IJM’s 15th anniversary year (2012). The organization is looking to expand its operations throughout the globe, and needs grassroots support to help fund these new programs. Toward that goal, I decided to take the month from May 16th to my birthday, June 16th, to try and raise $1,800 for IJM. This sum seems small in relation to the problem, but with enough partners working for similar goals, IJM can actually fund eight of their new initiatives.
In today’s economic climate, money is difficult to come by for everyone. Small amounts of money mean a lot in the lives of most Americans trying to survive day to day. As a touring musician, I completely understand this. One thing that I also know is how much good a small amount of money can do in the lives of people around the world who are alone and helpless. If you can find an amount of money that you are able to give, please visit my campaign page and donate. This money will make an impact that is so much greater than the dollar amount you can personally give. As an individual, it is hard to know what you can do to fight such a terrible injustice. Many individuals together, however, can cause massive change in the world around us. Please donate and be one of those people today. Thank you.
If you are unfamiliar with our song, Exploitation, you can see a live video and read the lyrics below.
Exploitation
Contessa, little darlin’, they’re gonna’ love your limbs
So feeble, so flawless, you will be broken
They’ll dress you in violet, they’ll touch your tender hair
Those demons, the silence, you’ll learn to block them
So pick a spot on the wall, stare at it with all the strength you’ve got
And if the lighting’s right, seein’ shapes so you won’t think at all
In the dark, wide awake when all those men have gone
You cry for mother’s God, swear at him and say
“I’ve had enough”
The pressure, it’s risin’, to let the shadows in
The face of your father, is in the darkness
You’ll fake it, you’ll fight it
You’ll scrape and scrub your skin
The stain and the fire, your fate’s decided
So pick a spot on the wall, stare at it with all the strength you’ve got
And if the lighting’s right, seein’ shapes so you won’t think at all
In the dark, wide awake when all those men have gone
You cry for mother’s God, swear at him and say
“I’ve had enough”
Click here to donate.
Connect