An anti-slavery campaign called The Backstory has been launched by MTV. Inspired by the winning entry of mtvU’s “Against Our Will” project, the campaign will feature an interactive website with dance videos showing how women and immigrants are trafficked into prostitution and forced labor. The project is focused on demonstrating how trafficking is an issue that can strike anyone and what can be done to counter it.
Collaborating with the anti-slavery campaign are rapper Talib Kweli and dancers from Ailey II. “Ailey II is honored to provide the visual embodiment of these powerful backstories of human labor and sex trafficking,” said Troy Powell, Ailey II’s artistic director. “This is the first time we have participated in an effort such as this one, and it is rewarding to be able to bring awareness to such a worthy cause.”
The winning entry of mtvU’s “Against Our Will” project came from four students at James Madison University. The goal of the project was to find an innovative way to utilize the internet to bring awareness to modern-day slavery. Anti-human trafficking organizations working alongside the “Against Our Will” anti-slavery campaign include the Polaris Project, Free the Slaves, and Girls Educational and Mentoring Services.
“We hope to move viewers to take action and share what they have learned with their friends and networks,” added Powell.
– Rafael Panlilio