tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7145117592063944458.post5519650666534356542..comments2023-11-02T03:40:09.064-07:00Comments on Human Perspective on Development and Environment: EMPOWERCIEE - Thailandhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00702040572805817922noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7145117592063944458.post-71743064717929454112013-07-15T15:17:20.067-07:002013-07-15T15:17:20.067-07:00This is cool!This is cool!Toniahttp://bestmemoryfoammattressreviews.us/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7145117592063944458.post-53192030963080699032013-04-21T23:59:33.343-07:002013-04-21T23:59:33.343-07:00Astrid,
I too was confused after having left the...Astrid, <br /><br />I too was confused after having left the exchange with EMPOWER, but having discussed it more I think that I now have a better grasp on what had happened during this talk. I appreciated that you and Emma decided to continue the discussion with Whitney and i find it very interesting at the responses that you got. It was upsetting that there was confusion about the amount of knowledge we had of this organization and sex work in general. I wonder if things would have been different if they understood that we were trying to understand the work the organization, having no past knowledge. For all we know they may have acted in the same manner, guarded and defensive. I only wish that they would have been more open and proud to talk about their work because after all, aren't they trying to express that the work that they do should be accepted in society and treated as so. Maybe in actuality they do feel somewhat ashamed of their work. Whatever the case is, although they seemed as if they were holding something back, they are very brave women that are doing something extremely valuable for human rights. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7145117592063944458.post-34212210395084316732013-04-21T08:01:30.139-07:002013-04-21T08:01:30.139-07:00Even though weeks have passed since this exchange ...Even though weeks have passed since this exchange happened, I still struggle to make sense of the defensive reaction that the women of EMPOWER had to our questions. In part, I believe it is because we went into the exchange not knowing exactly what EMPOWER stands for and not knowing enough about sex work in Thailand in general. Because this incredible organization is trying to fight stigma against sex workers, I agree with you that it would have been helpful if they explicitly told us why it was that the questions we asked bothered them. (Then again, perhaps the lack of this direct response is partially due to Thai cultural norms.) <br />On the other hand, as demonstrated by all the wonderful work they do at the learning center and the Can Do Bar, I believe that these women are anything but vulnerable. They have much inner strength to do all that they do.<br />Kelly Hardinnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7145117592063944458.post-85027302202045326132013-04-15T06:51:08.086-07:002013-04-15T06:51:08.086-07:00Hi Astrid,
That sounds like a very unique and inte...Hi Astrid,<br />That sounds like a very unique and interesting experience. I really enjoyed reading your blog post because I have never heard of anything like the organization Empower before. I think your perspective on the vulnerability and defensiveness they feel at being part of such a marginalized profession was dead on. Groups such as Empower are important tools for changing perspectives around such a stigmatized form of work. As Tom said, I think it would be interesting to see how Empower changes down the road. Will these sex workers feel more empowered to speak up about their personal experiences? Or will their always be some layer of defensiveness to their responses? I would also be interested to read the book “12 stories of sex work” that you referred to and hearing their personal stories. <br />Great reflection thanks for sharing!<br />Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14265091816540070682noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7145117592063944458.post-23678042670313047262013-04-13T08:36:38.561-07:002013-04-13T08:36:38.561-07:00 That is such a cool experience you had! Having ... That is such a cool experience you had! Having done research on the stigma surrounding sex workers in the United States, I have a unique attachment to and interest in the subject. From my experiences, I have seen some very ugly prejudices that people hold against sex workers and it has really forced me to examine the issue from a lot of different angles. <br /> I think groups such as EMPOWER are the catalysts that will create changes in the industry. The fact is, as long as the sex work is considered an “alternative career,” the people who work in the industry will continue to be marginalized, abused, and stigmatized. The wonderful thing about EMPOWER is that it is normalizes the career by giving its employees benefits and safe work spaces while, most importantly, keeping their dignity intact. If more organizations like EMPOWER continue to develop, I truly believe it will have a significant impact on the changing of the stigma that surrounds sex work. It is my hope that a few years down the line the employees of EMPOWER will no longer feel that fear and defensiveness that you experienced when they are asked about their work.Tom Bakernoreply@blogger.com