Social Justice Corner: Please Wake Up!

Please Wake Up! Submitted by Monica Schultz Hosea's Heart, founded by Wisconsin natives, operates safe homes and on-site schooling in Eswatini, Africa for women who have been sexually exploited (trafficked, in prostitution, abused or at-risk.) Hosea’s Heart is celebrating its 10th anniversary this year and returns to Wisconsin with a group of performers who have found hope and healing within their organization. Using dance, poetry, and song, “Scars: Up From Ashes” is a performance art depiction of a victim of sex trafficking who receives healing and restoration, and further offers the redemptive message of forgiveness and hope. The production aims to encourage “healing is possible” while also educating the audience on sex trafficking, prevention, and restoration. Here is a portion recited by a victim/survivor from Hosea’s Heart Swaziland, Africa. Presented at Schauer Arts Center August 28, 2023: Scars. She is covered in them. She looks in a mirror and sees an image Not her own A reflection far from her “Please make me something,” she begs Running from rejection, starving for acceptance She belongs, but to the wrong people With no place to call home “Please make me something,” she begs Betrayed by her own blood soul to the world Devoured by lies and shame Stripped off her heart and soul Her person is murdered but her body is still alive “Please make me something,” she begs needing a reason to hope Looking for a soul to connect to her pain Someone to rescue her from unending shame… The full presentation can be found at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AWi-_30z9CY