The Libyan Slave Trade: You’ve Heard Of It, But How Can You Help?

(Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images)

As you’ve likely heard, CNN recently exposed the active slave trade occurring in Libya earlier this month. Migrants fleeing other African countries are being captured and sold on their way to immigrate to Europe. Slave auctions that we are used to seeing in movies and reading about in history books are happening right now and affecting countless Black men, women, and children who are being sold for as little as $400.

Many pieces have been written about this human rights violation, but the question many of us are left asking is what can we do to help? Amanda Seales, star of HBO’s “Insecure” gave a shout-out to this Bustle article that lists various things you can do. Here are a few of them:

Bring This Issue To The U.N.’s Attention

Although the U.N. is aware of what’s happening, kicking and screaming does help. Speaking up forces the powers that be to listen more intently to your voice and keeps this issue at the forefront of their minds. Cardi B did just that in the video below, speaking out about how these actions are “shameful and disgusting.” She also calls out the U.N. for their lack of action. You can do the same and make your voice heard by contacting Nikki Haley, United States Ambassador to the United Nations, and urging her to make this a priority.

Write An “Angry Letter” to Social Media Companies

As Bustle pointed out in their article, The International Organization For Migration has reported auctioneers using Facebook Live to make money, broadcasting videos of imprisoned migrants in order to extort money from their families. We know Facebook has the power to shut down user’s profiles, and they’ve done so for far less serious offenses. Give Facebook the feedback they request and demand they block these users.

Speak Out In Your Network

Use your platform to inform your circles about this injustice. We live in the best time to effect change because we are able to communicate rapidly and with widespread reach. Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and other social media outlets provide the best routes. Celebrities like Jill Scott, La La Anthony, and Tessa Thompson have been doing so over the past week. Although you might not be a celebrity, you are a person who can effect change in some way and inspire someone else too as well.

View this post on Instagram

I have the same questions?!! What can we do? Besides throw up a post? I’m all ears. How do we end this madnessSomeone pls tell me. I’m completely lost here. I’ve been online for days now researching this. This is heart breaking. #Repost @upscale_vandal ・・・ You all know me well enough to know i don’t ever post about world crisis because I’m not the type to put up a #PrayFor hashtag and forget about it. I do what i can in person & in silence because that’s how i support a cause. But what can i do here ? This picture almost brought me to tears. I’m posting it because I’m at a loss for words. What can we do to help ? Someone please tell me how to help. #Libya

A post shared by ℒᎯ ℒᎯ (@lala) on Nov 28, 2017 at 10:09am PST