Recently, news about sex trafficking gangs being uncovered by police and the End It Movement taking place on February 23rd has made me realize how ignorant I am to issues such as human trafficking. I've seen the videos and I've heard the passionate advocates speak on the necessity to end such a horrible reality, but I don't think I've understood the true gravity of the issue. Slavery is not staring me in the face. It is not an issue I personally have experienced or even know others who have experienced it. I don't see young girls being taken advantage of because trafficking is deviously hidden by the perpetrators. Because I don't see these things, my mind has tricked me into thinking this issue isn't a huge deal. It doesn't affect me personally.

Similarly, I don't struggle with depression or any other mental health issues for that matter. I've never experienced it and hopefully never will, but that doesn't mean it doesn't still exist. People close to me have struggled with depressive thoughts and other mental health issues, and as deeply as I care for them, it's still hard for me to empathize with them. I have "head knowledge" that depression is difficult to walk through, but, like sex trafficking, I don't think I fully understand the gravity of it.

To all those who have faced, walked through, and experienced situations I could never relate to - I am deeply sorry for my ignorance of your reality.

I'm sorry that my bubble of privilege has wrongly skewed my thinking to assume that everyone else is like me.

It's hard for me to put myself in your shoes because I have never experienced what you have. It's hard to understand the pain, loneliness, and heartache you feel. This is no excuse for me to deem your problems as less. What you are going through is still very real even if I'm not currently facing it.

The truth is there is still world hunger, though I fall asleep with a full stomach every night.

The truth is there is still inequality, though I don't personally feel disadvantaged.

The truth is there are still mental health struggles worldwide, though I have never experienced them.

The truth is many fight for their right to be educated, though I have always had knowledge handed to me on a silver platter.

The truth is there are still millions enslaved by human traffickers, though I am not one of them.

I'm sorry for my ignorance to the realities of countless people.

The problems still exist, even if I don't see them.