A case in point: in the event you didn’t realize it, this is WRAP week, or “White Ribbon Against Pornography” week. No newcomer to the “ribbon” field, WRAP began its media campaign in 1987; its mission, according to its website, is “to increase public awareness of the harm done by exposure to pornography.” But unlike the pink ribbons that are seen everywhere in support of breast cancer awareness, or the yellow, black, blue or even the “Stars and Stripes” and other ribbons commonly displayed in support of one cause or another, I can’t say that I’ve ever seen a white ribbon being displayed...
This apparent lack of widespread, grass-roots support aside, the WRAP initiative is very troubling as it reflects a “porn is bad and needs to be eliminated” viewpoint, rather than a more reasonable “child porn is bad and needs to be eliminated but adult entertainment for adults is a matter of constitutionally-protected choice” viewpoint. Set against this agenda, however, our “best” (or at least most common) responses as an industry range from “fuck you, we have the First Amendment” to “if you don’t like it, turn the channel (or close the browser) and don’t watch.” Hardly a formidable defense or persuasive PR move.
While our industry sales figures more than demonstrate the appeal of our wares to the folks at large – folks that include the hypocrites decrying porn on one hand and whacking off with the other – we’ll never have outspoken, grass-roots support due to the social and politically-correct stigmas attached to porn. But that doesn’t mean that we as an industry should not be more effectively organized, lobby and campaign for our rights and a better public perception based upon the reality of our business rather than the disinformation hammered throughout the media by our sound-bite sensitive and ideologically-driven opponents.
Perhaps it’s time for a “Red, White and Blue Ribbon for Free Expression” week. I like that idea. The question is, “who’ll make it happen?” ASACP? FSC?
Organization: it’s what we need to focus on as the basis for the long-term security of our business models.
