An American Shaharazad

I am nobody special. I am ‘Just a Domestic’ as police officers say. The phrase is so common that it stops those who have experienced abuse dead in their tracks. I have heard and understood the phrase since birth. When I tried to escape my traffickers for the second time on June 6, 2024, I heard the police officer’s radio ask the ill fated question, “Just a domestic?” I have yet to receive justice for any of the abuse I have endured, including the trafficking that took the life of my beloved mother.

In honor of World Day Against Trafficking in Persons on July 30th, I am going to tell you my life story of abuse beginning with the betrayal of my grandfather and the first time that my mother was trafficked through the medium of Shaharazad and her 1,001 Nights. I want you to see the abuse for yourself and form your own opinions through the experiences of myself and others.

What kinds of abuse are acceptable if any? When should police intervene and how, if at all? What exactly is human trafficking and should we curb the practice? These are questions I want you to answer. After all, my opinion doesn’t matter. I’m just a domestic. I’m just a slave. I’m just your American Shaharazad, at your service and mercy seeking to entertain you. I hope that you will be pleased.

Darcy Mohamed