I wrote this blog back in March, last time in was in bangkok...and just found the draft of it, and decided it was time to post it...
I'm in bangkok.
here the sex trade wears a very different mask than the one it wears in k-town...which of course has me thinking...
in k-town it's hidden.
you have to look for it.
and if you were to find the red lt area what you'd find there would seem more modest and less offensive that what you'd find in most malls, cafeterias, or parks in America.
to find a place to buy sex in k-town you'd have to go looking for it.
intentionally.
you'd have to ask questions
you'd have to track it down.
hidden.
covered.
available - but not flaunted.
if you weren't aware of what to look for you could walk right past the area and not even realize what you were seeing.
it's different here.
in your face.
it comes after you.
the great foreign restaurants are all on the edges of the area.
there are street markets through the midde of the area (where you can buy sunglasses, and jewelry, t-shirts, and sex).
available.
advertised.
easy to find (even if you're not looking)
it would actually take intention and discipline to avoid the area. you'd have to try to stay away.
is one better or worse?
hidden or exposed?
flaunted or stiffled?
is one somehow less violent?
less exploitive (to all involved)?
can there be a better or worse form of violence?
or is violence, in any form equally horrible?
i just keep thinking of the violence.
the violence against women.
the violence against men.
the violence against men and women who are "bought"
the violence against the men and women who purchase.
the violence of lust.
i think about the lies. the deception.
the lie of power.
the lie of control.
...and all the hopes, dreams, relationships and spirits that lie in ruins in the wake of these lies.
the seductive call of the siren, who makes promises that can't be fulfilled.
the hollow bekoning of satifaction, control, pleasure.
how do we stop our ears?
how do we stop our feet?
how do we stop our hearts?
my heart is heavy.
for everyone
...who is touched
...who is hunted
....who is pursued
...who is captured
...who is wounded
...who is consumed
...who is ravaged
...who is left empty
by this violence.
I'm in bangkok.
here the sex trade wears a very different mask than the one it wears in k-town...which of course has me thinking...
in k-town it's hidden.
you have to look for it.
and if you were to find the red lt area what you'd find there would seem more modest and less offensive that what you'd find in most malls, cafeterias, or parks in America.
to find a place to buy sex in k-town you'd have to go looking for it.
intentionally.
you'd have to ask questions
you'd have to track it down.
hidden.
covered.
available - but not flaunted.
if you weren't aware of what to look for you could walk right past the area and not even realize what you were seeing.
it's different here.
in your face.
it comes after you.
the great foreign restaurants are all on the edges of the area.
there are street markets through the midde of the area (where you can buy sunglasses, and jewelry, t-shirts, and sex).
available.
advertised.
easy to find (even if you're not looking)
it would actually take intention and discipline to avoid the area. you'd have to try to stay away.
is one better or worse?
hidden or exposed?
flaunted or stiffled?
is one somehow less violent?
less exploitive (to all involved)?
can there be a better or worse form of violence?
or is violence, in any form equally horrible?
i just keep thinking of the violence.
the violence against women.
the violence against men.
the violence against men and women who are "bought"
the violence against the men and women who purchase.
the violence of lust.
i think about the lies. the deception.
the lie of power.
the lie of control.
...and all the hopes, dreams, relationships and spirits that lie in ruins in the wake of these lies.
the seductive call of the siren, who makes promises that can't be fulfilled.
the hollow bekoning of satifaction, control, pleasure.
how do we stop our ears?
how do we stop our feet?
how do we stop our hearts?
my heart is heavy.
for everyone
...who is touched
...who is hunted
....who is pursued
...who is captured
...who is wounded
...who is consumed
...who is ravaged
...who is left empty
by this violence.
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