LoveLife | May 06, 2009 | 23 comments

Sold for Sex

source: http://www.newyorker.com/reporting/2008/05/05/080505fa_fact_finnegan

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S3th
From Twisty at Iblamethepatriarchy.com

Source: http://blog.iblamethepatriarchy.com/2009/05/06/spinster-aunt-perceives-flaw-in-p...

Last night’s Frontline documentary on human sex trafficking — “Sex Slaves,” originally broadcast in 2005 — clawed at every cranny of the obstreperal lobe. Definitely not heartwarming.

I’ll skip the basics, assuming that the advanced blamer is acquainted with the mechanics of human trafficking, because I wish to register a complaint. Well, several complaints. Actually, it’s one large complaint upon which a few dangling dingleberry complaints depend.

The large complaint is that the film is itself sexploitational. It is without question voyeuristic, and at times it borders on actual pornography. And why shouldn’t it? Porn has been normalized into a legitimate art form.

Naturally, people who watch PBS believe themselves to be above that sort of thing, but they still need a reason to watch a show about women’s oppression. They might come away with a few useless “facts,” but these must be delivered from within a framework of entertainment. And entertainment, in 2009, is sex and melodrama. Thus, the “Sex Slaves” teaser:

“An undercover journey deep into the world of sex trafficking, following one man determined to rescue his wife — kidnapped and sold into the global sex trade.”

A murder of spinster aunts could charter a yacht, order a vat of guac and a barrel of margs, and ruminate on the Lido Deck all day long, but we’d never come up with a more formulaical Chivalric plot than that. Are you kidding me? Evil villains, a damsel in distress whose virtue is at stake, and a gallant champion who literally rescues her? Oh, and the damsel is 4 months pregnant. Add sentimental fetus-anxiety bonus points.

A kind of grainy prurience attends nearly every sequence of footage. The B-roll street scenes are shot according to a familiar sexploitation formula: the self-consciously verité-esque camera singles out a pair of comely hips encased in sexy jeans, lingers lustily, and finally pans up to reveal the whole woman as a hottie. Meanwhile, the authoritative male voiceover — the disembodied Voice of God — masks this sleazy voyeurism with academic gravitas. When he describes Ukraine as Eastern Europe’s ground zero for “beautiful women,” and the visual is a taut young Ukrainian midriff, it is meant to be accepted as scientific fact. After all, although the qualitative differences between the two are few, this is a documentary, not an episode of “Law & Order: Mutilated Women Unit.” But the greasy ease with which the documentarist’s camera violates women who are just walking down the street minding their own beeswax is an invocation of the global accords governing fair use of women: all females are de facto sex objects, and hot girls — shots of women who aren’t Beauty2K-compliant didn’t make the final cut — are vulnerable sex slaves waiting to happen.

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: DudeAmerica just can’t resist hot young prostituted Russians!

Sure, the producers are against human trafficking. Who isn’t? But can we please have a film about it that doesn’t parrot asinine patriarchal narratives about helpless damsels and male valor, that doesn’t itself exploit the very women whose exploitation it purports to abhor, that does more than just hint at some vague notion of women’s “poverty” as the reason for human trafficking? The rapists who abuse all the women in this film, where are they? Where’s the outrage over the notion that “the sex trade” is a “multi-billion dollar industry,” not because Ukrainian women are poor, but because the world is full of assholes who will pay to rape them? Just once I’d like to see somebody — anybody — point out that “the sex trade,” i.e. rape slavery, is not a consequence of women’s desperation and a few unscrupulous pimps. It is the consequence of a social order based on the fetishization of dominance.
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23 comments // Sold for Sex

  • L0jyq
    • 0
      L0jyq  

    • At the risk of sounding like a chouvinist pig...

      The issue here is much larger than you make it seem.

      You can't place the blame for ALL prostitution on "guy's that don't care if she's wlling or not". That's just flat out stupid. You're obviously female, and I don't begin to say that your ideas are invarioubly "wrong", persay. But they are not even close to "complete."

      As a man in the United States, I have been subjected to a great number of women using their bodies or some other form of sexual allure to get what they desire, be it money, status, or otherwise. As it is now, women (especially in the town I'm from...Chico, California) have no second thoughts on batting an eyelash or two at a guy they think can benefit them in some way.

      Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying that women in general are ASKING to be sold into prostitution, or to get raped, or even sexually harrassed. But to deny the fact that throughout history, women have always had a firm grasp on the desires they instill within a man's mind, and have used that to their advantage, is like saying that Hitler didn't know that the Jewish people were going to die in Auschwitz.

      A drastic comprison, to be sure. But it gets the point across.

      Now I agree with you that in a large number of countries, women are sold as children, or rather as pubescent teens, to be had in whatever way, shape, or form the purchaser see's fit. Typically as a sex slave that would most likely cook and clean as well.

      But now you have to factor in the tangents. What are your thoughts on the so-called "gentlemans clubs"?

      Are the women inside...you know, the one's that show up, clock in for WORK which they are PAID for, then get up on stage and take their clothes off, parading around and clinging tightly to a metal pole...forced to be there?

      Of course not. That's rediculous. They CHOOSE not to get an education and seek a (for lack of a better term...) "real" job. They CHOOSE to take the easy way out. Why? The answer is simple:

      The money.

      I have nothing against exotic dancers...I personally know quite a few women that are/were/plan to be. And a few of them absolutely LOVE their job. They don't WANT to do something else, because the attention they get while on stage fuels their self esteem and the stack of bills they take home nightly doen't hurt the situation either.

      -shrugs- But now I'm rambling.

      My point is...although man is probably(read: definitely) the INITIAL instigator for these acts...

      Woman has long since taken it over, at least in the developed world.

      I refuse to accept that Man is to blame for a situation that Woman, herself, has climbed into the bandwagon.

      The very second that every (by-choice) strip club, or go-go house, or Hooter's, or brothel, whatever your flavor may be, closes. I will be the first to stand on a soap box and rebuke the objectification of women.

      Until then...well...Until then I'll continue supporting the college students, highschool dropouts, and the like, that can't find the time to go out and put in a job application, but rather strap on a miniskirt and a low-cut top that they won't be wearing for long...for their "interview".

      -L0jyq

    • 3 years ago
  • S3th
    • 0
      S3th  
    • L0jyq:

      You should always risk sounding like a male chauvinist, as it allows your thoughts to be responded to. I won't go into everything you have said here, but will invite you instead, to consider these thoughts.

      It seems to me that you want to blame women for having gotten onboard the PATRIARCHAL SHIP that was launched thousands of years ago, and fed by nearly every single institution, governmental or otherwise since! A ship they have been forced to board, and now are just trying to survive on.

      Now, I know this is going to be kind of hard to fathom, but stay with me just for a second.

      If MEN didn't go to strip clubs, they would close, and women wouldn't be able to work in them. If MEN didn't think with their penises, women wouldn't be able to bat their eyes and take advantage of those poor men running around trying to get their penises stroked, sucked, fucked, etc.

      Now, I know it's difficult for you to understand how a man could begin to understand this. But let me assure you, I just relieved myself, and while peering downward, to ensure correct aim, there was still a penis directing the flow of traffic. So, let's not be calling a man who is capable of understanding your points, and still realize how misguided they are, a woman.

      Thank you.

    • 3 years ago
  • malathion
  • S3th
  • dognose
    • 0
      dognose  

    • Instead of stupid idea's like "ending the demand" why not just end the life of the worthless motherfuckers who do this shit? And that "evil of abortion" horse shit is the kind of stupid thinking that got the world into the state it is now. Praise Jesus and stop educating people with facts. Faith in tha' Lawd Jee-suss will protect us from the sinners. All this half-wit religion bullshit should be a fucking crime against humanity. Or at least terrorism. How many people died for "God" this week?

    • 3 years ago
  • mandroid
  • Panzer_Tanzler
    • 0
      Panzer_Tanzler  

    • Remember that time that guy dumped you and you decided to latch on to something where you could point the finger at men? Pretty sure MONEY is the problem here, not MANS.

    • 3 years ago
  • S3th
    • 0
      S3th  
    • Panzer_Tanzler:

      I am a man.

      I know it's difficult to look at the world without viewing it through your special rose-colored shades. But if we ever want to see serious change in this world which helps our daughters to get an even shake, then it's imperative that we take those shades off.

      There can be no subjugation and rape of women, if men decide they will not do it anymore. The responsibility lies completely at our feet. CAN YOU UNDERSTAND THAT?

    • 3 years ago
  • S3th
    • 0
      S3th  
    • Panzer_Tanzler:

      MONEY doesn't RAPE WOMEN. MEN RAPE WOMEN.

      Blame money all you want. It's men who desire to pay money to fuck beautiful young girls which is the problem. Otherwise other men wouldn't be able to nab/trick/etc. these poor young women into fucking 10 15 20 of these disgusting, horrific fucking men a day. Putting their very lives at risk, while subjecting them to a life of mental torture for the rest of their existence.

      That you try to blame money for this is ludicrous. Without the men out there providing the demand for young women to fuck, there would be no sex trade. It goes squarely on men who have created the demand. To think otherwise is highly naive, and apologetic.

      Think about it.

    • 3 years ago
  • mandroid
  • artemis6
    • 0
      artemis6  

    • This is more common that anyone is willing to admit to themselves . If it were legal and regulated these poor men and women and children would have options , somewhere to turn to get help . Prohibition did not work . It leads to great violence . It needs to be safe for everyone . It is the last form of common slavery .

    • 3 years ago
  • S3th
    • 0
      S3th  
    • artemis6:

      PROSTITUTION SAFE FOR EVERYONE? Pardon me, but just because it's the oldest profession, doesn't mean it should even exist in the first place!

      And legislation isn't the answer! Legislating EVIL is never a solution. Pardon me, but the rest is rather brutal!

      As long as men wish to RAPE, torture, and subjugate women, this will continue!

      It's important to note, that it is the MEN who desire to fuck and rape women, which makes this situation continue to exist. Until MEN decide that the only way they will allow themselves to relieve their sexual energies is through self-manipulation or sharing the act with a willing partner, the world will continue its violent ways in regards to using women as fuck objects. I know this is rather an ugly truth to face, but all men must come to grips with it if we wish to live in a world safe for our mothers, sisters, and daughters!!!

      Prostitution exists, because men will pay money to fuck and rape willing and unwilling women. PERIOD. End the demand, and the supply will dry up. It's simple fucking ecomonics!

    • 3 years ago
  • mandroid
    • 0
      mandroid  
    • artemis6:

      I'm sorry for whatever happend to you to make you so angry but hating men is not the answer. true those things do happen and it is sickening but not all prostitutes are forced into their positions, just as not all men who visit them are rapists. and look I'm not fucking justifying human slavery but since you opened the door, there are a lot of women who contribute to their sexual objectification and get off on it. It sounds as if you feel any man that goes to a strip club is a knuckle dragging potential rapist. I'm going a little off the reservation here but I have friends who work in this field and they are not doing it against their will. It's true some men need to have a better understanding of the word NO and what it means in the context of a sexual encouter,paid for or not. And rape isn't the only reason women get abortions. ok after reading all three of your responses s3th I think I get it and I am truly sorry but hate is not the answer.

    • 3 years ago
  • S3th
    • 0
      S3th  
    • artemis6:

      1. I am a man...But one who has decided to face facts.

      I am not going to go into the many factors that created the sex trade...But it seems fairly simple to me...

      No demand for sex from women for money....

      No need for women to sell their bodies...And even if they wanted to, if men refused to partake in the money for sex trade, it would cease to exist.

      In reference to this article, the women are forced into the trade, by being tricked, or outright forced into it after being woman-napped as it were. SInce they are forced into it, then the men fuckiing them, are actually raping them, since they do not wish to be fucked. Can you understand that my friend. RAPE is when a woman doesn't want to be fucked. These pimps are not the only ones who are culpable. The men who pay to fuck these women are also guilty of rape. Many of them have testified to having tried to get these men to help them escape, as they didn't want to do what they were doing. This all seems very simple to me. Can you understand this?

    • 3 years ago
  • cattheawesome
  • idealist
  • unclecharlie
  • S3th
    • 0
      S3th  
    • unclecharlie:

      We wouldn't have the amount of women desiring abortions if men would quit raping women!

      As long as men wish to RAPE, torture, and subjugate women, this will continue!

      It's important to note, that it is the MEN who desire to fuck and rape women, which makes this situation continue to exist. Until MEN decide that the only way they will allow themselves to relieve their sexual energies is through self-manipulation or sharing the act with a willing partner, the world will continue its violent ways in regards to using women as fuck objects. I know this is rather an ugly truth to face, but all men must come to grips with it if we wish to live in a world safe for our mothers, sisters, and daughters!!!

    • 3 years ago
  • Blood13
  • morirjedi
    • 0
      morirjedi  

    • As long as the act is illegal there are going to be the violent side to the sex trade. Regulation is the only was to hold back such acts.

    • 3 years ago
  • FrankyZemo
    • 0
      FrankyZemo  
    • morirjedi:

      That's absolutely horrible. In many instances, these women are brought to other countries, under the guise of "starting a new life" and are pushed into a modern form of slavery. Making this legal, and regulated is no answer...regulation always falls short, and we would be condoning a modern form of slavery.

    • 3 years ago
  • S3th
    • 0
      S3th  
    • morirjedi:

      Regulation isn't the answer my friend. Woud you make a regulation to allow your daughter to be fucked by men for money, putting her health and very life in jeopardy

      As long as men wish to RAPE, torture, and subjugate women, this will continue!

      It's important to note, that it is the MEN that desire to fuck and rape women, which makes this situation continue to exist. Until MEN decide that the only way they will allow themselves to relieve their sexual energies is through self-manipulation or sharing the act with a willing partner, the world will continue is violent ways in regards to using women as fuck objects. I know this is rather an ugly truth to face, but all men must come to grips with it if we wish to live in a world safe for our mothers, sisters, and daughters!!!

    • 3 years ago
  • Mr_Costello
    • 0
      Mr_Costello  

    • This animation portrays the experience of women who are sex trafficked from Eastern Europe to the UK. It is based on actual testimonies from women who have been through this terrible ordeal.

    • 3 years ago
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