I want to share some lines from a statement purportedly made (dated 12/15/06) by the outgoing Ambassador John R. Miller, Director of the Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons. These lines are an excellent example of how the use of names/euphemisms cover up the reality of grotesque evil. [NOTE: I received a pdf document with Miller’s signature from a reputable source but I can’t validate it by finding it on the U.S. Department of State website. If someone locates this statement, let me know.]
It is my belief that we image God when we follow in Adam’s footsteps naming things as we see fit (Gen. 2:19-20). But unlike Adam (at the time of naming the animals), we are fallen creatures–prone to distorting names and calling things that are evil by flowery or neutral names. In fact, that is exactly what the Serpent does to Adam and Eve. He calls eating the forbidden fruit “seeking wisdom” when it is really a coup d’etat.
Enter Ambassador Miller’s statments. Here are some excerpts:
Language is as important in fighting modern-day slavery, also known as human trafficking, as it was in fighting historic slavery.
In early centuries to avoid facing up to the suffering of slaves, words such as “houseboy,” “fieldhand,” and “servant” were used. Today, words such as “forced laborer,” “sex worker,” “child soldier,” and “child sex worker” are commonly used.
These words require scrutiny…
The most egregious use of language, however, is “sex worker” and “child sex worker.” People called “sex workers did not choose prostitution the way most of us choose work occupations…
Of course one can rationalize words such as “sex worker” and “child sex worker” in an effort to avoid a demeaning label such as prostitute; however, there are other substitutes such as “women used in prostitution” or “sexually exploited children” that are neither pejorative nor pretend that violence to women and children is “work.”
What is occurring is the use of language to justify modern-day slavery, to dignify the perpetrators and the industries who enslave….To abolish modern-day slavery we must not be afraid to call slavery by its real, despicable name.
Amen. What names do we tend to use to minimize our or others’ evil practices?
Musings on Faith and Psychology 