We have had an incredible year, with monumental victories. We have instigated major changes in both government and corporate policies to better curb sexual exploitation and stop the promotion of pornography. However the following account that I just heard last week is a victory that keeps me pumped up to do more and not give up.
As you know, we direct a coalition of now 280+ national and local organizations. Our goal over the last few years has been to build a movement and to unite the efforts of good men and women around the world. This is a lot of work! It is especially hard because we are bringing together liberals and conservatives, Atheists and Christians, feminists and pro-family groups and the list of differences goes on. Earlier this year, we hosted the very successful first annual Summit of leaders in Washington, DC. The goal was to bring together this broad coalition to foster trust, collaboration, improved networking and critical training. We are hearing of success after success and can see that there is truly a movement now that many of these leaders know about each other and are working together.
But, listen to this encouraging story from Nebraska!
Reverend Sean Kilcawley attended our Summit. He directs many efforts in NE to help those struggling with pornography and also the partners of those who struggle. He met Kristen Jenson at our Summit. She wrote a book, Good Pictures, Bad Pictures for parents to read with their kids and she regularly educates adults on how to address these issues with children. When Rev. Kilcawley learned about this incredible tool, he brought it back to NE where he suggests to his supporters that they get this book and read it with their kids. One woman in one of his groups did just this. After reading the book with her 5-year-old, the little girl pointed to Cosmopolitan Magazine in the checkout line of the local Hyvee grocery store and pointed out to her mother that that was pornography. The mom realized that she had to do something about it. She took it to the manager to complain and she wrote a letter to the corporate headquarters. A little while later, the VP of Hyvee called her personally and told her that the stores in her city would be moving and covering all Cosmo magazines out of easy sight of young children. VICTORY!!!
This is what we do! We get the ball rolling. We connect and we agitate and then we see miracles!
This Catholic Priest is focused on healing and restoration efforts. The author is focused on prevention methods. This mother is focused on her child and cleaning up her local community. Neither of these three could have accomplished this victory alone. We, at Morality In Media and PornHarms.com, have a unique position in this movement and can see the bigger picture often a little easier than many of the groups focused on just one aspect of the fight.
Celebrate this victory with us and with the movement to end exploitation.
You can be sure that we won’t let this stop here. We are launching a more aggressive campaign against Cosmo Magazine very soon and we are already reaching out to Hyvee to insist this policy be made nationwide.
When you support our efforts, you are fueling the movement! Please commit to continue helping in 2015 and beyond. If you are able, please give $15, $40, $60 or whatever you can before the 12/31 deadline this week.
