A Helpful Slogan for Increasing Violence and Shame: “Fight the New Drug"

This story, published just last week on August 25, is titled, “MY BIG SISTER, THE PORN STAR: HOW HER CAREER DESTROYED HER LIFE AND OUR FAMILY.” It is a story that needs to be told, no doubt. There are countless stories like it that need to be shared.

 

I completely agree that the mainstream porn industry is destructive and degrading. It is my belief that it is based on the worst type of violence possible, and that very few people -- especially women and children -- have actual choice about their involvement in it.

 

HOWEVER . . . three things REALLY bother me about this article and the website that published it:

 

1) "Fight the New Drug" seems like the worst possible slogan for addressing the real problem in the industry. For one thing, "Fight" is a command that recommends using violence to overcome violence. It is a war word, and will not contribute to the real solutions needed to address the actual violence occurring in the industry. Also, since when is porn a "new drug?" It is has been around for as long as people have been people, AND it is not simply a drug. This slogan does not even come close to acknowledging the complexity of the industry, including the essence of the stories shared on the website. The stories are courageous acts of vulnerability and empowerment. Those who are telling them, like Jessica does in this video (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bk23mL15qpA), deserve a better slogan backing them than "Fight the New Drug."

 

2) The title of the article, at first glance, reads like a very shaming statement, directed towards the older sister, whose career "destroyed her life and family." What about the countless others who have contributed to the problems associated with this girl and her family? And are all those impacted by this girl's career as a "porn star" truly destroyed beyond repair because of this? I could not agree to go on living if I believed that there was no hope for people who have been a victim of the porn industry (or any type of trauma, including the effects of addiction) to begin a new life the way Jessica and others have. The girl who wrote the article is validly upset. She and her parents are victims of what happened to their sister and daughter. I feel their pain, and I am sad for them. I also hope they are able to find new hope and an increase of depth and compassion for others through their experiences.

 

3) There is a need for stories from men -- whatever role they have played in the industry -- who are willing to be accountable for the ways they have perpetuated violence, abuse, and substance use that fuels the mainstream porn industry. Although I believe the focus should not be on the men or others who are have deliberately used violence against others in the pornography industry, it is typically women who are willing to take on extra blame when it comes to being accountable. Most of them have already suffered in ways most of us will never understand.

 

This article by Paul Malan takes a much more realistic and less polarized approach to begin addressing the problems associated with pornography. He focuses on solutions that are based in neuroscience and compassion, rather than statements that communicate fear and avoidance. The phrase “Fight the new Drug” is made up of words that are typically associated with reacting out of fear and avoidance. The message conveyed is that somehow it is logical and effective to fight shame and violence with shameful and violent language. In reality, it has the potential to be very damaging to those who are trying to overcome their involvement in pornography -- whether they are viewing it or directly involved in it. Every single person involved is, on some level, a victim of sexual abuse. Every single person is a human being. Every problem in the pornography industry can be traced to a form of dehumanization. It makes sense to me that in order to re-humanize people, we ought to unite with a slogan that is not based in fear and disconnection, but rather one that is compassionate and that inspires connection to one another.