Justice And Injustice In Patricia Mccormick's Sold

Justice is the right of every individual. Oppression and marginality systematically restrict justice from individuals and societies. Injustices transpire in a variety of abundant forms. Peace is established to elevate these systematic methods, thus individuals and societies attain their peace as a result of justice. In Patricia McCormick’s Sold, Lakshmi; a thirteen-year-old Nepalese girl is sold into sex trafficking. Lakshmi overcomes physical injustices, attempts to establish peace among the other victims, and perseveres to attain freedom.

Lakshmi overcomes physical injustices that violate her basic rights as a human being. According to article 5 of the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights, “No one shall be subjected to

Marginalization is the treatment of individuals or groups as insignificant to the rest of society. Sex trafficking is a method that systematically marginalizes innocent girls and forces them into a cruel continuous cycle of inhumane and illegal treatment. The numerous girls sold into sex trafficking are coerced into repulsive acts, their lives are treated valueless. “I know something else as well. I know that I would endure a hundred punishments to be free of this place” (260). These girls are constantly reminded that the they are slaves and their lives are amounted to the brothel. A human’s life is priceless, these girls lives become valueless the moment there are sold. These girls undergo brutal and inhumane treatment. These brothels hold the girls against their will, they are forced to live within the atrocious nature of the brothel. The girls in the brothel are stripped of their human dignity but they overcome the obstacles they encounter in attempt to regain their freedom. They have harsh living conditions and are used as slaves until there is no use for them anymore. Lakshmi is determined to leave this horrific situation, she attempts to aid other girls in the process. “Please”, “Come with me. If you stay here, you will die” (262). The girls in the brothel have accustomed to their new cruel lives and the thought of life outside of the brothel is significantly difficult. They are

Lakshmi’s life has amounted to her violated continuously just to pay of her debts to her oppressors. Ironically, as the amount of men that take advantage of her increase her debt never decreases. Lakshmi recognizes that this cruel treatment is cyclical, she has a moral obligation to terminate it. Lakshmi undergoes physical and immoral acts that completely degrade her spirit. Lakshmi and the other victims are manipulated to believe that the “Americans” the people that will improve their lives, are the exact opposite. Lakshmi is instilled with lies and manipulated so that her life in the brothel is les cruel then on the streets. Lakshmi is presented with an opportunity to escape by an “American”, despite the fears instilled in her she pursues the opportunity. Lakshmi is stripped of her identity, dignity, and basic human rights. She is completely exasperated with her treatment and perseveres to attain her freedom. “My name is Lakshmi,… I am from Nepal. I am fourteen years old,” (263). Lakshmi reclaims her identity that was once taken from her. Lakshmi establishes peace for herself, and finally attains her freedom. Lakshmi says her name and identifies herself that aids her to be taken out of the brothel. All of the fears that were once instilled in Lakshmi are gone. Lakshmi perseveres and attains her