i find it really upsetting on many levels when internet feminists get so burned out calling each other out on western issues (the usage of words such as “crazy,” demisexuals appropriating queerness) that they completely laugh off legit critiques about the of spread of (uncredited) fetish porn images on social networking sites such as tumblr.
you know how people are always getting up in arms about artwork / manifestos etc. being posted without credit? well, here’s the thing: when you post these porn images without credit you are often directly exploiting the bodies of the workers. it’s usually not like they are being paid every time you “like” their image! but then again, you usually never have a way to know on the internet who is doing that work & how consensual it really is. having worked a bit with support services for survivors of sex trafficking, i am always skeptical of pornography that cannot be traced to either a company that is known for treating their workers decently or to a consenting actor. to clarify, if & when “sex positive” porn stars post or make their own images / videos or work for companies that are reputable or are otherwise okay with you re-blogging their stuff, go ahead and post it. but from here on end, if you post random porn fetish porn because you needed a ten second hard on or think it’s funny i’m unfollowing you immediately.
ps, before everybody gets up in arms, no i am not a sex worker. just a concerned feminist.)
pps - if you agree with any of the points made in this post, i ask that you re-blog it or write up something similar. i’ve never before asked for feedback and i don’t really care how many people like me on the internet or follow my tumblr. but i cannot emphasize how important it is to be mindful of the conditions of sex workers. the other side of sex positivity has to be checking to see who creates the images we look at & whether the sex workers are acting as their own agents. for better or worse, a massive number of people are learning how to “do” feminism via the internet & the way to curb sex trafficking & other exploitative forms of sex work is to educate the people on the “demand” side.
