H.W. #2 task #2 Kevin Bales

Word Count: 445

    In the Ted Global presentation by Kevin Bales, he shares his thoughts of how to combat modern day slavery.  He offers his personal opinions, having visited five different countries from across the globe to track down these hidden societies. In doing this he was able to arrange numerous meetings with the slave owners as well as interview the slaves.  He acquired vast amounts of interpersonal reflection  through his hands on approach to a more intimate knowledge of slavery in the 21st Century, which he expresses in the speech. All the while backing it up with data from seasoned professionals. This assuring the target audience its validity as well as the pull of their heart strings from the eye opening facts.  Bales appeals to us using many of the basic appeals for advertising.  He uses the need to nurture when he speaks of the little boys being forced to fish in Ghana.  It was most prominent when he showed the video featuring his ex-slave friend and hero, James Kofi Annan.  The clip portrays a small child with his head deformed from being abused while in slavery.  Annan states, " He was hit with a paddle in the head…" this clearly showing one of the many horrible things that happen to these boys on a daily basis.  Bales also uses advertising appeal number fourteen, the need to satisfy curiosity, to show the many different quantifiable statistics involving slavery.  The use of these basic appeals instantaneously make the audience feel he is more trustworthy and a reliable source.
    The argument Bales presented was one of a close minded viewpoint.  Bales is closed minded in the best way.  In the way that he can only see what is right and not accept what the opposing party views as logical.  The fact that he can read a flier and find the content so moving that he is willing to change his life and travel to five countries to see slavery from all aspect is inspiring.  If more people chose to get involved in something world changing like Bales the earth would be utterly amazing.  I found this speech to be extremely informative in the regards of a solution rather than really getting in depth into the problems.  I like that.  I think instead of speaking on the negative present and dwelling on the horrible past, it is best to focus on finding a solution for the future.  I like that Bales practices this as well.  The fact that there is at least one solution to this horrific problem is encouraging, and I really think that if people could get together and realize that there are viable answers and slavery can end entirely.