An advocate’s reflection on MLK Day

What can we learn today from looking at Martin Luther King, Jr.’s life?

When Martin Luther King, Jr. spoke at the 1963 March on Washington, he not only had a dream of equality, but a dream of freedom. “Free at last, free at last,” King declared at the end of his famous speech, evoking an African American spiritual in hopes of a future without discrimination and bondage. Though we have made significant progress in the decades since King’s “I Have a Dream” speech, we are not yet able to declare freedom for all.

When you think of human trafficking and modern-day slavery, your mind might travel to developing countries, illicit brothels, or child soldiers in war-torn nations, but do you ever think about it happening in the United States? Because the U.S. is a developed country and not everyone has learned to recognize human trafficking as what it is, many are unaware that it exists so close to them. Despite the criminalization of human trafficking in the United States, the country currently has over 400,000 people estimated to be living in slavery, and human trafficking has been reported in all 50 states.

Rose, a fourteen-year-old girl from Cameroon, used to be one of those 400,000 trapped in a trafficking situation. When a family in the United States claimed they would put Rose through school in exchange for household work, the deal appeared to be perfect. “Everything seemed normal until they reached Rose’s new home in America,” Kevin Bales, author of Ending Slavery, writes. “Then the trap closed.”

The promise of schooling that the host family had offered her was merely bait, and Rose was soon overwhelmed with housework, sometimes working from 6 a.m. to midnight. A world away from her family with all means of contact ripped from her, Rose was trapped in a human trafficking situation for two-and-a-half years. Her life quickly became “a blur of pain, exhaustion, work, abuse, and fear,” right in the middle of suburban America.

“Despite the criminalization of human trafficking in the United States, the country currently has over 400,000 people estimated to be living in slavery, and human trafficking has been reported in all 50 states.”

We sometimes believe that human trafficking only takes place in countries where freedom isn’t an inherent right, but Rose wasn’t forcibly addicted to drugs and trapped in a brothel nor was she violently kidnapped. Instead, Rose’s entrapment took place in a conventional home in Washington D.C., the capital of the “land of the free,” and the very place where King had made his speech about freedom decades earlier.

King believed that “slavery in America was perpetuated not merely by human badness but also by human blindness.” If Americans choose to ignore modern slavery and the signs of human trafficking, our nation can never be truly free. If we want to honor King and show reverence for his unwavering activism and dedication, we must be active participants in ending human trafficking. Spreading awareness of modern slavery, advocating for anti-trafficking legislation, donating to anti-trafficking organizations, and encouraging everyone to know the signs of human trafficking and how to report it are the most effective ways we can combat modern slavery.

“Slavery in America was perpetuated not merely by human badness but also by human blindness.”

— Martin Luther King, Jr.

If Martin Luther King, Jr. were alive today, he would be celebrating his 91st birthday. It can be easy for us to think that segregation and the Civil Rights era took place centuries ago, but really, it’s only been 57-years since King’s “I Have a Dream” speech. The people who protested King’s right to equality are still around today, as are those who seek profit from slave labor. Still, King left us an undeniable legacy. Though he is not around to remind us of his dream to be “free at last,” there are plenty of activists who keep his memory alive.

At the 2018 Women’s March on Washington, Grammy-nominated artist, Halsey, declared that “we are not free until all of us are free,” evoking the same theme of freedom that King shared on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial 55-years prior. The United States is far from a perfect, egalitarian nation, but Americans will never stop marching, advocating, and fighting to make it a fairer place with the spirit of Martin Luther King, Jr. in our hearts.

*While we do not want to equate modern-day slavery and human trafficking to the violent racial oppression African Americans experienced during the Civil Rights Movement, we wanted to celebrate Dr. King’s efforts to ensure freedom for all. It is because of Dr. King’s work within the Civil Rights Movement that we are able to make progress in the anti-trafficking movement today. We acknowledge that these movements, while aligned in message, each carry their own unique experiences, conflicts, and backgrounds.

Specific Technologies Driving Insurtech Investment in 2024

Understanding the Funding Decline The decrease in funding does not necessarily spell trouble for the insurance sector but instead highlights a strategic shift, the report suggests. “The insurance industry, like many sectors, is focusing on the most promising ventures with substantial insurance potential,” the report explains. “Insurers are directing their investments toward key areas and current trends such as embedded insurance, employee benefits, and cyber risk management. This strategic investment approach signals a forward-looking mindset within the industry.” Three Key Insurtech Trends for 2024 The report identifies three major trends shaping insurtech investments in 2024: Public Insurtech Companies: Financial and Growth Strategies The report also notes that public insurtech companies are prioritizing revenue growth as their main goal. These firms are restructuring their financial strategies to boost cash flow and capitalize on rising revenue streams. Their growth prospects are supported by expanding asset portfolios and strong market demand. “Public insurtech companies are focusing on revenue growth and optimizing their financial frameworks to increase cash flow,” the report states. “The growth potential for these companies is driven by increasing revenue opportunities, broadening asset bases, and a robust market for their services.” In summary, while global insurtech funding saw a decline in 2023, the industry’s focus on GenAI, digital process management, and connected insurance technologies is setting the stage for a dynamic and forward-looking 2024.

Business

Insurer Secures Unanimous Supreme Court Victory in New York Choice of Law Dispute

In the world of sports, a clean sweep, a shutout, or a perfect game is the ultimate achievement. In the legal arena, a unanimous decision from the U.S. Supreme Court is equally rare and significant. In a notable legal triumph, Great Lakes Insurance SE achieved a unanimous 9-0 victory in the Supreme Court on February 21, 2024. This victory follows a protracted legal battle that began in the District Court of Pennsylvania, advanced to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit, and culminated in the Supreme Court’s decisive ruling. Background of the Case: Great Lakes Insurance SE v. Raiders Retreat Realty Company The heart of the dispute was the insurance contract’s clause selecting New York law to govern any future legal conflicts. Although the financial implications of this case were relatively minor compared to the broader marine insurance industry, the insurer’s determination to uphold a crucial maritime legal principle has significant long-term implications for marine insurance. Faced with the insured’s counterclaims—including allegations of breach of fiduciary duty, insurance bad faith, and violations of Pennsylvania’s Unfair Trade Practices Law—the insurer was confronted with serious risks. Such claims could lead to the shifting of attorney’s fees, treble damages, and more, which might normally encourage insurers to settle rather than risk pursuing justice. However, Great Lakes Insurance, supported by The Goldman Maritime Law Group, opted to challenge the Third Circuit’s decision and seek clarity from the Supreme Court. Supreme Court Ruling: A Landmark Decision In a landmark ruling, Justice Brett Kavanaugh affirmed that choice of law provisions in maritime contracts should be upheld by default. This ruling is a major victory for establishing a consistent federal standard in maritime law and avoiding a patchwork of state laws that could complicate marine insurance disputes. The Supreme Court’s decision overturned the Third Circuit’s earlier judgment, which had questioned whether Pennsylvania’s public policy concerns might override the insurance contract’s choice of New York law. By upholding the New York choice of law clause, the Supreme Court eliminated the extra-contractual bad faith claims under Pennsylvania law, thereby ensuring that the dispute could be resolved based on the merits of the insurance claim itself. Significance of the Supreme Court’s Decision This ruling represents a significant advancement in maritime law, affirming that choice of law clauses in maritime contracts are generally enforceable. The decision establishes a clear, uniform legal framework for resolving maritime contract disputes, which will streamline the process and ensure fair adjudication of future insurance claims. Justice Clarence Thomas’s concurring opinion was particularly notable for its criticism of the 1955 Wilburn Boat v. Fireman’s Fund Insurance decision, which had previously influenced maritime insurance law. Thomas argued that Wilburn Boat was incorrectly decided and stressed that a uniform and enforceable set of rules is essential for the development of maritime law. Impact on the Marine Insurance Industry The Supreme Court’s decision sets a “bright-line” rule affirming that choice of law clauses are valid unless there is a strong argument against the selected jurisdiction. By endorsing New York’s insurance laws as a reasonable choice, the ruling supports a more consistent and predictable legal environment for marine insurers. This decision represents a major step forward in maritime law, helping insurers better assess risks, determine premiums, and ensure fair and efficient resolution of maritime insurance disputes.

An advocate’s reflection on MLK Day