If this isn't Slavery, What is?

[Stuart G]

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/04/opinion/04kristof.html?partner=rss&emc=rss

PHNOM PENH, Cambodia


Nicholas D. Kristof

Barack Obama’s presidency marks a triumph over the legacy of slavery, so it would be particularly meaningful if he led a new abolitionist movement against 21st-century slavery — like the trafficking of girls into brothels.

Anyone who thinks it is hyperbole to describe sex trafficking as slavery should look at the maimed face of a teenage girl, Long Pross.

Glance at Pross from her left, and she looks like a normal, fun-loving girl, with a pretty face and a joyous smile. Then move around, and you see where her brothel owner gouged out her right eye....

.....more at link above

________________________________________________________________________________
I can't say too much. But I will add this: To know that this goes on in our world, right now, as these words are written on this computer, kinda makes me sick.

[Captain Hilts]

1. These columns are heartbreaking. Folks on DU don't really care. nt

[Lydia Leftcoast]

2. One thing you can do...

If you ever hear (or see on a message board) anyone talking about how he loves to go to Southeast Asia because "they have a healthy attitude about sex," rip him a new one.

Judging from what I've heard and seen traveling round Asia, "they have a healthy attitude about sex" really means "Woohoo! Low-priced prostitutes for everyone, especially pedophiles and sociopaths!"

Peer pressure, especially from fellow males, is the only sure way to dry up the source of Western customers.

[Captain Hilts]

3. Yes, I actually did that on a Navy discussion board...

ps. Mookie is a member of the falopian forest.

[Lydia Leftcoast]

4. Oops, sorry, MS. Mookie

:spank:

[Captain Hilts]

5. It's on purpose. Not to worry. nt

[yardwork]

14. I agree.

[mopinko]

6. it happens here in chicago.

there was a string of arrest just this last year. women were smuggled in from former soviet union countries, especially romania. they were imprisoned, and easily controlled since they were illegals. they worked in the "gentleman's clubs" here. a misnomer if i ever heard one.

[tbyg52]

7. I hate that term as well - should be called "sleazebags' clubs." nt

[Stuart G]

8. You are right..."sleazebag clubs" but my guess is that they are

all over the country in all the major cities. If prostitution were legel in the U.S, do you think that the abuse of teenagers in these kind of clubs would stop? If this were regulated and taxed, perhaps?

[mopinko]

9. maybe

i just wonder if the supply of prostitutes would be enough to meet the demand if it were really voluntary. as in- women had options, and children were not raised in want.

but i think it would be a step in the right direction. sunlight keeps the cockroaches at bay.

[bertman]

11. Or how about a society where churches didn't try to delude us into thinking that sexual

activity is evil unless you're married to your one perfect mate in the whole universe.

Perhaps we should learn something from the divorce rate.

Prostitution seems to thrive in every society. Or at least, exist in every society. There will always be men, and women, who cannot get the sex they want, or the kind of sex they want, any other way than to purchase it--for whatever reason. I say, legalize it, license the working girls and boys, make them have medical inspections and up-to-date records of those inspections.

When you take this out of the realm of pimps and mobsters and make it a legit, lawful business a lot of this exploitation and violence will end.

But I'll be that we "solve" the climate crisis before we enact sensible legislation on this.

[mopinko]

12. all true, also.

bring it above ground, let the workers have a union. jesus, how much death and destruction could be prevented if these people had health care? how many prostitutes have unknown, untreated aids? i'm sure these shmuck's clubs don't have blue cross.

[Lydia Leftcoast]

18. Uh, Japan has a huge sex industry and is only 1% Christian

Its traditional culture was pretty free and easy about sexuality.

[bertman]

19. Lydia, it sounds like you're trying to make a point about Japan's sex industry but I'm

not sure what it is. Could you please elaborate? Thanks.

[Lydia Leftcoast]

20. The person above says that having a large sex industry is the product of

a repressive society. Japan is a counter-example.

[bertman]

21. Which person above said that? Sorry, but I don't see that in any of the posts.

[Lydia Leftcoast]

22. Your own post, wth the statement about "churches teaching that sex is evil"

Japan has never had such churches, and it has a large and exploitive sex industry.

[bertman]

23. Okay, thanks. I did say that churches teaching that sexual activity other than in marriage

is one major reason we have so much illicit sex trade and exploitative treatment of sex workers. Because it's true. That's not the ONLY reason, but churches play a huge role because they deny the legitimate expression of and enjoyment of one's sexuality except in church-sanctioned relationships and under the churches' rules--which have become the laws of the land because of the influence of religion in our government. I'm certain that a lot of that derives from the patriarchical nature of the Christian churches and American culture.

While Japan is not a Christian nation it is certainly a male-dominated society that operates under the rule that women--or some women--are supposed to serve the sexual needs of men. I'm not an expert on Japanese culture, but I think the geishas are a good example of that. Any time a class of people are considered subservient or servile they are going to be exploited by those individuals who prey on the weak. Japan is no different from any other nation(s) in this respect.

The changes that I would hope to see would be a recognition that men and women deserve the freedom to explore their sexuality in ways other than heterosexual marriage. I would like to see society accept male and female prostitutes as legitimate participants in our culture and not expect that they serve the secret sexual desires of others unless they choose to. Cultural bias for the equality and protection of women and men who elect to become sex workers would generate laws to protect people from sexual exploitation and the physical abuse that is highlighted in this OP. It would go a long way toward eliminating one more opportunity for criminal enterprise and would help to reduce the incidence and cost of venereal diseases.

[Lydia Leftcoast]

24. It's a widespread misconception that the geisha are prostitutes

They're not. Each is the kept woman of one wealthy man, and their job was traditionally to be a female presence at parties under a social system in which men and women led separate lives. They went through a long apprenticeship in which they learned traditional music and dancing.

There were also prostitutes, but they were in a separate class from the geisha. They were often sold into the life by destitute parents, much as young girls are in Southeast Asia today. Few of them lived past their mid-twenties.

These days, there are few geisha, and only the wealthy can afford to hire them. Average men go to hostess bars, where the women may or may not do prostitution on the side.

[wolfgangmo]

16. I prefer to think of them as Republican clubs

Just sayin

[EconomicLiberal]

10. This makes me sick.

[Career Prole]

13. K & R.

Son of a bitch. That poor kid...and all the others like her who haven't made it out yet.
Makes me sick too, Stuart G.
I hated reading it, and watching the video at the Times, but thanks for posting it.

[Mister Ed]

15. K & R.

[Rebubula]

17. God

Someone once said (am too lazy to Google) - 'I hope that I am alive when they finally Prove the existence of god - because that S.O.B. has A LOT of shit to answer for...'

For every beautiful sunset or mountain view I see - there are 10 inhumane acts done by people that should have been aborted.

It is stories like these that continue to reinforce my lack of belief in some sort of deity that watches over us all.

If there is a god, here is a message for it - fuck you.