Feminism, By Cheryl Butler - 1815 Words

The problem with this approach is that it depends upon a view of feminism that does not cut across racial and class lines, and ignores the societal impact of the normalization of sex work. Liberal feminism is, due to this, a fundamentally exclusionary philosophy. Cheryl Butler, in her essay applying critical race feminism to the question of the sex trade and sex trafficking in America, reveals the holes in liberal feminist theory. She specifically calls out how â€Å"liberal feminist perspectives on prostitution have focused on†¦ the need to protect the rights of women to choose prostitution,† and, in doing so, ignore â€Å"how racism and other factors obscure choice for women of color in the United States.† According to Butler, discussions about†¦show more content†¦This effectively silences the voice of those who are manipulated or otherwise forced into this industry. Beyond all these points, however, lies another compelling argument as to the harm of the sex industry. In theory, what makes up the sex industry – the sale and purchase of sex, the production of pornography, strip clubs, etc. – is purely an issue of whether the individuals who chose to participate in any of those industries feel it is moral or not. Liberal feminism operates under this idea, where if a woman chooses to sell her own body, that is her choice, and choices cannot be criticized. The problem with this thinking is that it does not recognize the inherent harm of these industries. The sex industry is an industry that exists almost exclusively for the benefit of men. Women are simply portrayed as a means by which to satisfy the desires of men. An industry that relies upon the image of women as objects to