A mind-reconciling post professor Schwyzer wrote yesterday, left me a bit bemused about how the whole porn industry functions. I was deeply unaware of how it operates, however that is not the case here. Hugo makes it clear that pornogrophy consumers help proliferate a society that demeans women in such way that they themselves become instantly objectified as sexual (objects) individuals.
A short excerpt from his post;
The harm is in my soul when I view it. The harm is in Lara Roxx's body right now. Lara Roxx no doubt has another name, which we in the public don't know. Porn stars, almost without exception, change their names when they work in the industry. "Lara Roxx" is not a person in the male porn consumer's mind, she's an object for fantasy and objectification. But beneath Lara's violated and brutalized flesh is a young girl who has what I imagine is a far humbler name (a Nicole, a Jennifer, a Maria, an Elizabeth perhaps). I don't know her, but I'm pretty damned confident that in 1996, when she was TEN, the little girl who would become Lara Roxx (HIV-infected porn actress) did not dream of becoming famous and wealthy for having anal sex with two men on camera. Her hopes for herself were, I suspect, simpler, warmer, and filled with infinitely more longing and promise.
The fact that Lara is 18 and consented to the making of this film means no crime was committed under California law. I'm not interested in ranting about the law. I'm grieving because Lara's story reminds me of how much damage porn does to so very many lives. Lara's very life is now in jeopardy. You can say she has some culpability, and I agree, she does. But the only reason the money is so good for young women in porn is because men are willing to pay quite a bit to see girls like Lara naked and exposed and penetrated. I confess that in the past I have been guilty of that very sin. My dollars have fed an industry of death, and I grieve that. And I know that I too -- and countless other men -- have been damaged. When men like me lust after girls like she who is called Lara Roxx (she's 18, I'll be damned if I'll call her a grown woman), we scar our spirits and tarnish our relationships with all the other women in our lives as a consequence. I have worked hard to make certain that when I see teenage girls and young women (and I work with them daily), I see them as people worthy of my respect, friendship, and -- yes -- my protection.
Go Hugo!
I was deeply touched when I first heard about Lara Roxx on news special on TV recently. I think what really is the sad aspect of this whole tragedy is that Lara seems like the last person to be involved with such a sick business as the porn industry. She is so frail, beautiful, and waif-like and probably never even thought in a million years she would become caught up in such a sinister environment. Probably had dreams of becoming an actress or model only to hit desperate financial straits and got seduced into porn by very slick and slimy individuals who told her that she could make quick, easy money free of consequence. One could possibly obtain a judgemental attitude and say that she should have known better and knew what she was getting into, yet who are we to judge? It has become a well-known fact that most girls who get involved in such arenas such as porn were sexually molested when they were younger by a trusted family member and that has messed them up for life. I'm not saying for a fact that this happened to Lara Roxx, but it is probably a safe bet, especially in today's world. Anyway, my heart does go out to her and others like her and I hope that Lara can one day find peace from a Higher Source that will give her a definate hope for her life. Right now I am trying to obtain an address for the center in Montreal where Lara now resides so I can write her a letter of sympathy, comfort, and hope. If anyone has her address, please e-mail me at: john.p.hanssen.i3v6@statefarm.com
Posted by: JOHN | March 11, 2005 at 10:56 AM