Horror Films: Why there ain't no dead Indian women...

It is always those scenes when I lose interest with a horror film. The scene where the woman is running from the killer. She falls and he catches her. He then kills her. The last camera shot is her dying. Graphic, huh...

It is always these scenes that tap into a white woman's reality of feeling vulnerable. I had to understand that. I understand those films are not written for me or the people I know.
…..

In the same scene where the killer comes along and swings at the woman.

In my film, she is Indian, she is fearless, and she knows something is going on. She walks into the situation and taps into her 10th sense - something is wrong. All of her senses are engaged. She hears a rustle. She turns in time to duck.

In my film, she pulls her hair back with one hand and puts it in a bun. She grabs the nearest stick and backs up and screams, “Bring it on Motherfucker!”

He lunges at her but misses. He grabs for her but misses.  They dance around swinging.

“Is that all you got...”, she chants.

She swings and gets him squarely across the head.

“Whose the daddy now!”, she screams.

He is stunned and throws himself at her. She is momentarily caught of guard.  They fall to the ground. They tussle.  She grabs a rock and knocks the killer out. She ties him up and waits. Her hair is disheveled. She realizes he cut her.

“Fuck”, she shouts. She then kicks him.

…......

I grew up surrounded by women who fought. My sisters, my mother, my female cousins, my female friends, aunts, and grandmother all fought. They were always fearless in their fights. They fought men. They fought women.

They may not have won all the time but you know what, they stood up. They could stand toe to toe with anyone who dare disrespect them.

Those are the women I grew up around so when I watch a horror film and she falls down and gets killed. I figure, one less dummy out of the gene pool.

Redemption: Can you make a Whore a Housewife?

First of all let me say, I have an interesting life. I meet so many fascinating people. I am intrigued by them and I want to know about them. I realize that I am unique in that I thrive in knowing about their journey.

With all that said... I stumbled upon this piece of advice recently. It reminded me of the sex workers and the ex-sex workers I worked with in the past. They have a unique perspective when it comes to their view on sex. There is a no hold bars approach to it. There is a stark honesty to it. They let it all hang out, so to speak.

“Honey. Don't forget this. The first time you lay down for sex for money then you, 'a whore'. You may find god. Hallelujah! You may get a job. You may do good in this life. You will spend the rest of your life working to redeem yourself... but don't forget this – No one. No one, will let you forget you were a whore. It may be only once. That's enough for people to remember. If you want to be legit then get married.“

When I hear her advice I interpret that sex is not 'devalued'. Sex is viewed as a commodity. Sex is income. Sex provides a 'means to an end'. From an economic perspective, “selling sex” makes sense. It ensures there is a roof over one's head and food on the table. “Sellin' sex” ensures that all your physical needs are met.

I don't hear her advice as cynical or jaded but practical. I then realize what a luxury I have when I have romance with sex. When I have desire with sex. When I get to chose who I have sex with, that's a luxury.

I am keenly aware of our class system that creates an economy that prostitution is necessary. This system creates a profession called, “Whores”. This system in which “whoredom” can thrive. This system that perpetuates a view that prostitution and marriage are equivalent.

One can view her advice as a divergent road, one leading to “good” and the other“bad”. A cautionary tale. A tale of redemption. Redemption from our bad choices. A tale of the baggage we carry because of those choices.

Finally, I believe her advice illustrates the names that others know us by. The names we call our selves. Ultimately, it is our choice what we answer to. It is our choice to move beyond this experience. It is our choice to accept the consequences and live our life.

As I sit and ponder her advice and try to understand it, I am reminded of another statement from a previous client:

“Who's the dumb bitch here? You sittin' there on a gold mine. I get paid Honey. You give it away for free. For what? Love? Hmphf... I'll tell you this. I'm a good whore. I mind fuck him. I tell him some nasty fucked up shit and he comes all over himself. I rarely give up my pussy. I'm a 'Call Girl' not a street whore.”

Who knew?...Even within “Whoredom” there is a class system.

With all that said, "I'm still not sure".  Nobody has asked me to be their housewife...

;0 - I'm teasing.  My hooker, whore, ex prostitute friends and colleagues...Pitch in and help me answer this question.