CALL FOR PAPERS – UNDRESSED AND
UNGOVERNABLE
Sex workers throughout the world
experience a unique form of stigmatization based on their labor. Sex
workers are socially admonished for their occupations, while
simultaneously excluded from feminist and worker-organization
discourses due to the social perception that theirs is not a valid
form of labor, or even somehow a more degrading form of labor that is
inherently harmful to society as a whole. This stigma silences sex
workers, particularly those whose analyses of their positioning
within capitalism run counter to mainstream conceptions of sex work.
Predictably, these analyses and experiences become co-opted and
redefined by others, often to the detriment of the workers
themselves.
This collection aims to bring together
sex worker voices to analyze, examine, and narrate a radical
interpretation of the sex industry. We do welcome personal stories,
but are particularly looking for pieces that combine both narrative
and systematic analysis.
What do we mean by radical? Current or
former sex workers are encouraged to submit their anti-authoritarian,
anti-capitalist, and anti-state writings on the sex industry; those
of an anarchist, socialist, or communist bent are especially
encouraged. We welcome perspectives that reject the casting of sex
workers as perpetual victims with no agency by some feminist
movements and mainstream society, social conservatives' demonization
of sex workers, and liberal industry-apologists who refuse to turn a
critical eye towards the social and labor conditions of sex workers
(and capitalism as a whole).
We hope to mix narrative and analysis
to provide a readable and accessible collection suitable for those
both new to radicalism and sex worker perspectives.
We welcome all submissions from radical
current or former sex workers, but here are a few topics we are
particularly looking to cover:
-What is distinctive about the way in
which sex workers experience labor alienation?
-How do sex workers experience identity
through their labor?
-How does “owning” your means of
production affect your status within capitalism?
-What are the best avenues for
increasing safety, security, and satisfaction within the sex industry
in capitalism? What possibilities and limitations do unions or
cooperatives offer?
-Why is sex work so often considered
the “worst” form of alienated labor?
-How does the state benefit from the
continued social and legal marginalization of sex workers?
-Is sexuality special? Is the
commodification of sex actually different than the commodification of
other forms of labor?
-Does sex work uphold rape culture? How
or how does it not?
-Being a sex worker and its effect on
gender identity and/or sexual orientation.
Final contributions should be between
2,000 and 4,000 words. Please submit a 150-250 word abstract by April
5th, 2013 along with a short bio to:
undressedandungovernable ((at)) gmail ((dot)) come
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