Tuesday, October 5, 2010

Malika Saada Saar is a real American hero


Remember the big dust-up about Craigslist and their erotic services postings? Did you know that it was a Black woman who finally convinced Craigslist to take their erotic services postings down? Well it was and her name is Malika Saada Saar.

Malika Saada Saar, the founder of The Rebecca Project for Human Rights , is a prisoner's rights activist. The reason that she fought to have Craigslist remove its erotic services postings was because she noticed that a lot of juvenile girls who were in jail had been sold as prostitutes on Craigslist's erotic services board.

So how did she do it?

At first Malika tried to contact Craigslist founder Craig Newmark. When that didn't work her foundation The Rebecca Project for Human Rights bought a half page ad in the San Francisco Chronicle newspaper. Craigslist in located in San Francisco.

In the ad two minor girls describe how they were sold for sex by men who used Craigslist's erotic services board to advertise. One girl who was called "MC" in the ad wrote the following.

I was first forced into prostitution when I was 11 years old by a 28-year-old man…The man who trafficked me sold many girls my age, his house was called ‘Daddy Day Care.’ All day, me and other girls sat with our laptops, posting pictures and answering ads on Craigslist, he made $1,500 a night selling my body, dragging me to Los Angeles, Houston, Little Rock—and one trip to Las Vegas in the trunk of a car.

The ads were not enough to move Craigslist to remove the ads. That 's when Saada Saar enlisted the help of U.S. Attorneys General Eric Holder. And once Mr. Holder became involved Craigslist pulled the erotic services board.

It's amazing isn't it that back when this was a big story in the mainstream media Malika wasn't even mentioned. The media likes to try to turn a bunch of people into heroes who don't deserve it. But they have almost ignored Malika who is without a doubt a hero!

Good job, Malika!


Read more about this story here


11 comments:

Liam said...

wow, i had no idea at all. you are soo right that the media makes heroes out of the wrong people all the time. needless to say at least a small bit of good has come out of this, even though we know those monsters will find another way to do their evil

Moanerplicity said...

I'd never heard anything about her, or even knew of her existence before now, and that's prolly done on purpose. If the media can't demonize you, they have little use for you. But what this sista's done deserves a standing ovation! Seems like O's people should given HER a call... but... well... y'know.


One.

jae october said...

I never even heard of this woman. Thanks Val for making me aware of this inspirational sister.

Val said...

@Liam

True, this will just slow them down. But even slowing them down is a good thing.

Val said...

@Lin

I wouldn't even want Obama's Admin to call her, they wouldn't treat her right.

Val said...

@Jason

Milika has a connection with your city. She has a law degree from Georgetown University.

uglyblackjohn said...

I think the "O" meant Oprah.

While she (Ms Saar) is accomplished she is also hot.

Val said...

@UBJ

Oprah isn't interested in heroes unless they're White.

Felicia Monique said...

I remember when this all went down, as I was working for CPS in SF at the time. There were mad police sting ops and other city programs trying to stop this madness and help the young women and girls involved. Not once do I remember hearing of Malika Saada Saar and 'her' efforts.

Once again, Val, thanks for sharing the wealth of knowledge with us...

Felicia Monique said...

Oh Val, I love you for that comment on Oprah. I thought I was the only one who feels this way about her. *high fiving you*

Val said...

@Felicia Monique

I remember all of that. It was going on in Oakland too. The police were doing a lot of busts along San Pablo avenue and a lot of the women on the street were actually just girls.

Yeah it's sad that Oprah has that platform but refuses to acknowledge the good that Black people do in the world.

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Soldier Of Love

I've lost the use of my heart
But I'm still alive
Still looking for the life
The endless pool on the other side
It's a wild wild west
I'm doing my best

I'm at the borderline of my faith,
I'm at the hinterland of my devotion
In the frontline of this battle of mine
But I'm still alive

I'm a soldier of love.
Every day and night
I'm soldier of love
All the days of my life

I've been torn up inside (oh!)
I've been left behind (oh!)
So I ride
I have the will to survive

In the wild wild west,
Trying my hardest
Doing my best
To stay alive

I am love's soldier!

I wait for the sound
(oooh oohhh)

I know that love will come (that love will come)
Turn it all around

I'm a soldier of love (soldier of love)
Every day and night
I'm a soldier of love
All the days of my life

I am lost
But I don't doubt (oh!)
So I ride
I have the will to survive

In the wild wild west,
Trying my hardest
Doing my best
To stay alive

I am love's soldier!

I wait for the sound

I know that love will come
I know that love will come
Turn it all around

I'm a soldier of love
I'm a soldier

Still waiting for love to come
Turn it all around
(4x)

I'm a soldier of love
I'm a soldier

Still waiting for love to come
Turn it all around
(3x)

Still waiting for love to come

Miss Keri Baby!

Tracee!

Solange!

Solange!
The only interesting Knowles

un·for·get·ta·ble: Earning a permanent place in the memory; memorable: an unforgettable experience.

Alicia says...

Rest in Peace Mitrice

Rest in Peace Mitrice
Mitrice Richardson