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States hear those two words they automatically think that the heinous crime is happening in some developing country far, far away. However, this is a very popular and troubling misconception. Victims of sex trafficking reside right here in our own country of the free; slavery lives on even in modernity. Not only are these women victims of physical violence but also of a psychological one. I could no longer stand clueless to this, so I decided to join the fight against modern day sex trafficking. Everyday women become Power in Our Testimony was the theme of the 11th Annual Samuel DeWitt Proctor Conference, a gathering of religious scholars, lay leaders, pastors, and seminary and college students, who are committed to the work of faith and justice. Of major significance this year was the Sisters of the Rock panel designed to break the silence and encourage women to share their testimony about issues of sexism in the Black Church. Sexism is defined as an A Rose from Princess Night victims in this country of sex trafficking because their low self-esteem makes them “easy” targets. As women we have to stand up for ourselves and learn attitude, action, institutional structure, power, or policy that oppresses women and violates her personhood. The Sisters of the Rock platform provided a safe space where women and men were encouraged to break the silence and give voice to a number of troublesome issues—masculine language and images of God, cultural narratives of gender, and church politics. Black Church leaders, community activists, and religious faculty raised questions that Black women scholars, clergy and female college, seminary, and graduate students confront every day, particularly the following: - Why is it easier to tell the truth about racial oppression than to deal with and address issues of sexism? - Why do women tend to choose to love and be loved the right way, not by a man who says that four- letter word in exchange for sexual favors. That isn’t love and the fight must continue on to keep every woman safe. I love myself and I will not be sexually exploited! Can you say the same thing? Will your daughters and their daughters be able to say the same thing? Join the movement against sex trafficking, every voice counts. To find out more about Gillette’s on campus organization WOWPriceless, which strives to create awareness about sex trafficking: Directors: LaDarrien Gillette and Camille Henderson Email us: wowpriceless@gmail.com race over gender which means being black over and against being woman? - How is the Christian Bible used to support misogyny, gender oppression, and violence against women? These questions and others must become an integral part of both our collegiate and church conversations. Thoughts for Reflection: - Tell the truth about gender oppression. - Silence is betrayal. - Sexism is Sin. - Women oppress women and protect men over against their sisters. - When you see something, say something; call men and women out, hold them and all pastoral leaders and church officials accountable. It’s Time to Break the Silence By: Rev. Dr. Lisa D. Rhodes The BluePrint SpelmanPaper@gmail.com Feb/March 2014 13