Jada Pinkett Smith Campaigns Against Human Trafficking; Joins Hillary Clinton
Will Smith and his wife Jada Pinkett Smith have become advocates of human trafficking and sex slavery. The Hollywood couple joined Secretary of State Hillary Clinton for the release of her 2012 Trafficking in Persons Report.
Jada said her daughter Willow encouraged her to play a part in raising awareness of the trafficking that is going on after watching the Kony 2012 video. Clinton introduced Jada and Will Smith by thanking Jada Pinkett Smith and Will for being there. "Through you, your daughter because, as Lou said, it was their daughter who brought this issue to Jada's attention, and I am so pleased that she has taken on this cause. And we look forward to working with you."
Jada said: "I was actually really quite ashamed that I didn't know about this particular situation in our country, because when you think about human trafficking, you think about it 'over there.' Wherever 'there' is.."
She continued: "When you talk about modern-day slavery, you don't see chains. It's all about the mind. So it's a very layered and complex issue that's going to take some time for us to figure out how to pull apart. Right now, we just have to get aware."
Jada worked with Salma Hayek in a video to campaign the end of human trafficking. She recorded the song "Nade Se Compara" in Spanish, with Hayek starring in the video.
There are over 27 million victims of human trafficking, which is more like modern day slavery.
Clinton explained the situation: "Traffickers prey on the hopes and dreams of those seeking a better life and our goal should be to put those hopes and dreams back within reach, whether it's getting a good job to send money home to support a family, trying to get an education for oneself or one's children, or simply pursuing new opportunities that might lead to a better life. We need to ensure that all survivors have that opportunity to move past what they endured and to make the most of their potential."
