“Former Prostitute Turned Activist”
March 27, 2008 — Thursday: What is wrong with the title?
I feel like the label that was recently given to me in a news story is a picture on the back of Highlights children magazine. You know the one that you circle all the things WRONG in the picture…or just out of place.
After hearing from tons of family and loved ones about the report on Channel 30 I decided to make the point here that there is a difference between a “prostituted child” and “a prostitute!”
It matters to people to know whether I was forced into prostitution when I was 12 years old or whether I was turning tricks on Motel Drive at 20! (Though I know the 20 year old and have empathy because according to research it probably started for her when she was around 14 or younger…after she was abused at an even younger age.)
I was involved in prostitution as a homeless kid on the street — where I was sexually exploited by adults. I was 13 when all of that ended for good!
I think my point is best made when you think about victims of sexual abuse in general. Would it make sense to say that someone who is raped or molested as a child became “sexually active at 8 years old?” It doesn’t make sense and it puts the blame in the wrong place.
To a lesser degree, I also do not believe that I am an activist in the everyday sense of the word. Even though I love activists, I don’t measure up to them. I am passionate, but I also love to relax and enjoy life. I go on vacation, I enjoy my free time, and I spend a ton of time with family and friends — chilling out. Maybe all “activists” do this, and it’s just my perception.
If I am an “activist” then after an MBA from UCLA Anderson, I’m not the usual one! I have invested time and money in learning how to participate in government and business. Besides, I guess what I truly believe is that activism in business sometimes means progress — it’s the difference between Steve Jobs and everyone else!
I guess that I could also be an activist because I care about the future of a community, and want to see the end of prostitution of children on Motel & Parkway Drives. But then again, are people that were molested by Catholic Priests truly “activists” when they file suit to bring an end to a once overlooked abuse? I don’t think you’d call them “activist” in the true sense of the word because they are fighting for their own justice.
I am similarly fighting for my own justice by organizing a community!
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