A Bone to Pick.

Alright, what in the starry-eyed f**k is this? I’ve got a bone to pick with Eliana Dockterman, the author of an article posted on TIME about the “The Duke Porn Star Isn’t as Empowered as She Claims.” If I have ever heard more biased writing from TIME, then at least they did a better job of hiding it. Mind you now, I’m not going to talk about the topic at hand – about the student or about porn – that is NOT my place as a white male with tons of privilege. But I feel the need to stir up a ruckus when said columnist feels empowered enough to publicly slut shame or attempt to humiliate someone (AN ACTUAL PERSON).

I mean, starting off writing things like “She uses the money she makes to pay for college…as well as purchase iPad minis and designer handbags” Dockterman jumps out the gate trying to create a jezebel type identity for the student. However, the reason this whole incident is even blowing up is because “a male friend got drunk at a fraternity rush event and told others.” Giving him the luxury of being drunk (excuse) and with close friends (excuse) that quickly got out of hand (excuse) he got to drop out of the situation all together because it wasn’t his fault!

Dockterman then goes onto publically pity her, arguing “before we mock Knox for her naiveté, remember that Knox is a freshman. Teenagers are not great at making life decisions.” So you’re totally acquitting her from being able to make her own decisions/handle responsibilities because she’s young? TIME and TIME again the columnist loves to draw out all the negative quotes from various sources, both anonymous and named; but they all have one common quality. Shame. God forbid, she take a different perspective on the issue? How about *trying* to interpret how said student feels? I thought news was supposed to bring us the full story. The full scoop.

The best part is at the end when Doctorman reluctantly says “Sure, slut shaming her for her choices is wrong. It’s her body, she can do what she wants with it” but then ironically calls her out, as if what she said didn’t matter, by breaking down her arguments, agreeing with the public and mocking her life decisions – as if she’s just a silly little girl.

So I want to know what on earth provoked the author to write this way. Is she embarrassed? Confused? Angry? She doesn’t take the side of the student, that’s for sure – I mean, unless you count pity. But I don’t blame her (I guess); this is just a random example of a bigger issue. Picking martyrs for news stories and public slut shaming is enforcing stereotypes and oppressing people who work in this industry, or any sexualized industry for that matter. No matter who they are. No matter what they look like. Discrimination, I think it’s called.

Am I just overreacting? Check out the piece here and let me know what you think about this type of media writing- especially if you disagree with my opinion.