2008 Woodie Awards
Staff Editorial
Sex workers have a voice
Issue date: 2/16/08 Section: Forum
"Isn't there enough porn on campus?" said Fox News anchorwoman Laura Ingraham as she interrogated Annie Oakley, the founder and director of the Sex Workers' Art Show, which came to Guilford College Feb. 2. The Sex Workers' Art Show has been condemned not only on Fox News, but in conservative circles here at Guilford.
Some members of the Guilford conservative and Quaker communities expressed concerns about the Sex Workers' Art Show to those organizing the event on campus before the troupe came to campus. Some objected to the show because of the idea that the sex industry is degrading to women, which is flawed in its own sexism. This argument implies that women are the only workers in the sex industry and ignores the reasons for Guilford's Women Studies program giving a large donation to help fund the event.
The men and women involved use the traveling show as a means of personal and political expression, which is particularly important since members of the sex industry are typically voiceless in the social and political spectrum. Performance art has long been used to educate the public on marginalized, silenced groups of people.
If those who criticized the show decided to educate themselves and attended the show, they would have seen that the purpose of the art show, which has been on national tour for the past six years, is to humanize sex workers, who are so often demonized. The show in no way glorifies the sex industry or encourages audience members to join the profession; rather it communicates poignant personal experiences and offers complex political commentary.
Values such as understanding towards and awareness of marginalized groups should be encouraged, especially at a Quaker institution, even regarding groups that are considered taboo. We should not fear or avoid sex, sexuality or sensuality. The community should discuss and explore these topics so that we may gain a greater understanding of others and ourselves.
Some members of the Guilford conservative and Quaker communities expressed concerns about the Sex Workers' Art Show to those organizing the event on campus before the troupe came to campus. Some objected to the show because of the idea that the sex industry is degrading to women, which is flawed in its own sexism. This argument implies that women are the only workers in the sex industry and ignores the reasons for Guilford's Women Studies program giving a large donation to help fund the event.
The men and women involved use the traveling show as a means of personal and political expression, which is particularly important since members of the sex industry are typically voiceless in the social and political spectrum. Performance art has long been used to educate the public on marginalized, silenced groups of people.
If those who criticized the show decided to educate themselves and attended the show, they would have seen that the purpose of the art show, which has been on national tour for the past six years, is to humanize sex workers, who are so often demonized. The show in no way glorifies the sex industry or encourages audience members to join the profession; rather it communicates poignant personal experiences and offers complex political commentary.
Values such as understanding towards and awareness of marginalized groups should be encouraged, especially at a Quaker institution, even regarding groups that are considered taboo. We should not fear or avoid sex, sexuality or sensuality. The community should discuss and explore these topics so that we may gain a greater understanding of others and ourselves.
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