When did the 'sex worker's rights' movement emerge, and who was behind it? An extract from my book, The Pimping of Prostitution: Abolishing the Sex Work Myth (2017)
As always, I'm appalled at the betrayal of women by women. As if it isn't hard enough living in patriarchy. Of course, that's by design. Those in power can only be in power because women are so divided. Getting half the human species to agree on their plight and fight back is a monumental task. Especially when women are hard-wired to mate, bear and raise children with their oppressors. No other demographic is required to do that.
I met Margot at a rally many years ago. Since that time whenever the subject of prostitution comes up, I am amazed how often the discussion is dominated by, professors, social workers , writers and politicians. Though this article mentions women who have worked in prostitution, their voice is presented as some kind of betrayal. Yes Margot’s politics were tied and encouraged to America’s social movements, but that is how they do it there. Listen to the women, give them a voice and don’t try to tear apart their organizations and leaders.
I read the entire article and kept hoping the author would get to the actual "point." What is the point of this article? The body doesn't even explain the title. Is Bindel a sex worker? If not, then why are we interested in her opinions about sex workers and the sex worker rights movement? Also, Bindel writes as if it's assumed that the only people who do sex work are women--nowhere near the truth. Oh, and let's not trivialize rape -- even as a "catchy" headline, boooooo. Finally, what's wrong with happy hookers?
The argument made in the title is so obviously frivolous that it's like titling your piece *I Am a Completely Unserious Person And Attempting Intellectual Engagement With Me Would Be An Obvious Waste Of Your Time*. It has that character which is common to a lot of feminist scholarship where you can tell the person frequently misinterprets the exasperated silences in response to her antics as an inability to refute them rather than a realistic acknowledgement that the person is socially immunized from pushback.
John, I think you missed the point. It was meant to be sarcastic. Did you even read the article? It's meant to be a reflection of how rape and prostitution are trivialized in our culture. Women's words and voices are often misinterpreted and misrepresented by men because men seem incapable of putting themselves in women's shoes. Men are utterly oblivious to what it's like being a woman in a culture that sees us as subhuman. Sadly, their patriarchal indoctrination has numbed them to the reality of living in constant fear of men. It's crazy-making.
As always, I'm appalled at the betrayal of women by women. As if it isn't hard enough living in patriarchy. Of course, that's by design. Those in power can only be in power because women are so divided. Getting half the human species to agree on their plight and fight back is a monumental task. Especially when women are hard-wired to mate, bear and raise children with their oppressors. No other demographic is required to do that.
'If sex is work, then rape is merely theft' is like saying 'if labour is work, then slavery is merely theft'.
Wow . I was totally unaware of all that . Thank you for highlighting this and educating me . Utterly incredulous !
I met Margot at a rally many years ago. Since that time whenever the subject of prostitution comes up, I am amazed how often the discussion is dominated by, professors, social workers , writers and politicians. Though this article mentions women who have worked in prostitution, their voice is presented as some kind of betrayal. Yes Margot’s politics were tied and encouraged to America’s social movements, but that is how they do it there. Listen to the women, give them a voice and don’t try to tear apart their organizations and leaders.
I read the entire article and kept hoping the author would get to the actual "point." What is the point of this article? The body doesn't even explain the title. Is Bindel a sex worker? If not, then why are we interested in her opinions about sex workers and the sex worker rights movement? Also, Bindel writes as if it's assumed that the only people who do sex work are women--nowhere near the truth. Oh, and let's not trivialize rape -- even as a "catchy" headline, boooooo. Finally, what's wrong with happy hookers?
The argument made in the title is so obviously frivolous that it's like titling your piece *I Am a Completely Unserious Person And Attempting Intellectual Engagement With Me Would Be An Obvious Waste Of Your Time*. It has that character which is common to a lot of feminist scholarship where you can tell the person frequently misinterprets the exasperated silences in response to her antics as an inability to refute them rather than a realistic acknowledgement that the person is socially immunized from pushback.
John, I think you missed the point. It was meant to be sarcastic. Did you even read the article? It's meant to be a reflection of how rape and prostitution are trivialized in our culture. Women's words and voices are often misinterpreted and misrepresented by men because men seem incapable of putting themselves in women's shoes. Men are utterly oblivious to what it's like being a woman in a culture that sees us as subhuman. Sadly, their patriarchal indoctrination has numbed them to the reality of living in constant fear of men. It's crazy-making.
What is “mere” about theft?