I attended the event a conversation among men about sex trafficking at the Wasserman Center, December 2, 2009. The purpose of the conference was to commemorate the international day for the abolition of slavery. The conference began with a silent film “Blood into Gold” and an introduction given by Gloria Steinem. She introduced the panelist of men who were there to discuss sex trafficking. The organization is based on the understanding that prostitution is highly political, and the oldest form of oppression. A conversation among men works to end human trafficking, and free the world all forms of women’s violence. They recognize the privileges men have in society. Since men are given the legal permission to buy women and girls to act out sexuality, it creates inequality among genders.
I learned that the promotion of prostitution as a job is an attempt to normalize and legitimize it as an employment options for poor women. This allows legal profits for the sex industry and tax revenues for governments! The panelist stressed that young children are watching unsupervised pornographies. If young boys are watching these pornographies, it will encourage the sexual exploitation of women, and create a new group of pedophiles. Interestingly the panelists reminded me that it is not only women being exploited but men, too, are losing their integrity from how they view women and children in society.
This reminds me how important it is to raise my level of conscious of the violence to women and children in the sex industry. To seek social justice, the panelists explained, it is necessary that men come together and talk about prostitution openly. Integrating gender studies in my classroom is one way to help end sexual exploitation. This conference was a great experience, and totally changed my perspective on an issue I never knew affected me.
I also thought it was fascinating to hear about this topic coming from a man's perspective. So often we hear women addressing such issues, which made it all the more interesting to realize there are men out there who not only believe prostitution and sex trafficking as a whole are wrong but are also fighting against it, some even putting their lives on the line to do so. To me that is empowering for both women and children to hear. I was especially moved to hear Jonathan Walton's poem "I'm Sorry Anna Nicole."
ReplyDeleteI was incredibly excited later when one of the men, Michael Cory Davis, discussed how important it is to address topics related to sexuality with children starting from a young age, so that they may grow up with understandings that are beneficial to the betterment of society. Along with the other men present, Davis demonstrated that children are interested in learning about this material and that it can be addressed in an educational setting.
I have never heard this topic being discussed from a man's perspective, it sounds like it was a very interesting event. As educators I think it's important for us to not shy away from issues like this because it's crucial for students to learn about these things at a young age. Starting at very young ages children are being constantly bombaded and exposed to ideas that suggest that there is a gender and sexuality social hierarchy. From the books they read to the commercials they watch children gradually begin to unconsciously learn that there are traditional and confining roles for men and women. To combat this we have to educate children starting at a young age.
ReplyDeleteI don't if anybody got a chance to go see the Journey's exhibit right in front of the silver building. The walk through exhibit followed the story of a women who was trafficked into sexual slavery.
ReplyDeleteSomething that I find interesting is the idea of legalizing prostitution, as you mentioned was discussed in this conversation. I am not sure how I personally stand on that issue, I acknowledge the many benefits that can come of it, and to a certain degree it is offering women in this industry more protections and rights. However I struggle with it because sex trafficking as a crime is still so prevalent and not adequately addressed that legalizing prostitution would over look this ongoing international crime.
Thanks for sharing! I always have to evaluate myself whenever I talk about human trafficking and sexual exploitation because it is always easier for me to fully take the sides of women and children and neglect the men. My behavior, in itself, is wrong of me to treat each gender with inequality. I am also aware that men are sold to brothels as well, as hard as that may be to believe. I remember hearing about a brothel in Chinatown that tried to kidnap boys in order to sexually exploit them. Raising awareness to children is what I find challenging. How can we address this to our students? Is that “allowed”?
ReplyDeleteThis sounds like it was an amazing event! I think it also speaks largely to the concerns of the Beyond Tolerance conference that NYCoRE held. Although I did not attend the event myself, I know that it was about bring together the priviledged and oppressed to fight the social injustices faced by the queer population. I think that it is so vital to social movements, that people realize that they need to come together to fight all issues, not just the ones that effect them directly because at the end of the day they effect all of us. I think that at the core of this issue in particular is a good teaching point: although we not be able to address this specific issue with our kids because of appropriateness, we can bring up issues of gender equality and present the concept of men advocating for women's rights! I think that's some powerful stuff. Thanks for sharing!
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