Seriously. If you can help, or have ideas to get something done, come post. I’ll plug the information everywhere, and credit you with it. No problem.

This is part of what I’m trying to do: http://www.ted.com/talks/david_logan_on_tribal_leadership.html

We’re not interested in patting ourselves on the back, or ego boosting. We want to knock down all the communication walls, and allow people to see that though we disagree, we all deserve safety and we all deserve love.

That’s all.

2. We aren’t privileged in the least. The only one of us who makes decent money dumps it right back into the team, and into provisions for homeless outreach when we nightwalk. As of right now we have no backup system.

3. We are using the public platform to get the message out about the real work being done, and any ways one can help it GET done. I’m shaking my head at the media sensationalism just as much as you are, but just like the homeless problem that we’ve been dealing with for years, what we’ve found is this; The media and the public doesn’t give a shit until you wrap it up nice and pretty. Rather than bitch and complain about how much that sucks, we’re using the tool we have to its utmost potential.

4. We ARE shaming the NYPD. You better believe it, I just did two interviews ripping them a new hole, add to that how much proof we have that they don’t do jack shit about anything but the “nice” areas… We live in Bedstuy/Bushwick, Brooklyn. We see it daily.

5. We gave three ideas in the letter. One of them was a system that didn’t even involve us. Again, please don’t judge or imply that we’re stupid in the least. We’re offering all we can as people who don’t have backup from the law. Better than sitting on our asses and saying “someone should do something, no?

6. We are ABSOLUTELY ready to PUBLICLY support whatever you think is going to help. I will personally plaster it up everywhere I can. I believe in decriminalization of the sex trade. Only then will there be safety.

7. We didn’t receive any email from you. Might have sent it to the wrong addy.

8. “pretty ladies”… I mean all ladies. All human beings are beautiful. I really didn’t think anyone would take issue with that… I mean, pretty is in the eye of the beholder, and when you look at the context of the situation, it’d be pretty stupid to assume we’d only protect the Julia Roberts lookalikes. I mean, come on.

Once again, any info you might have on how we can get this problem solved, use us as your personal soapbox. It’s exactly what we’re doing this for, to get the word out and save lives.

-ZERO

So I guess my question for Audacia is this:

You used to be a sex worker. What did you do for security?

I just see a lot read into NYI by your comment. A lot of judgment, which surprised me.

They are, in fact, shaming the police – in a pretty confrontational way, and in the press. Nowhere in their language did they say anything like “pat on the head” about sex worker communities – because that would be inappropriate and condescending. Like putting martial arts skills in quotes. Did they do something awful we don’t know about to deserve this comment?

I hope you understand that I’m your friend and unrelenting supporter, but while I agree with some of your points, your comment is really confusing.

I think that NYI is trying to do a good thing, and have made it clear they’re doing so because the police have failed. And I can see that they have given a lot of people hope. People who feel helpless to do anything about what’s happening to your community. It’s totally wanted and needed for you (or someone) to speak for your community and tell all of us on the outside how to help. But it just seems like you’re trashing the positive intent of people who mean well. There can be many ways to help, and to give hope, I think. Plus, the news item raised a ton of awareness. Can there be a positive here, at all?

I hope I can disagree with you and you will still be my friend. You write something and I’ll link to it, no conditions. My respect for you stands.

PS: I was sent this by a sex worker, and not the privileged kind, and she was not only elated by the item but helped with post research and shared it with her community once we posted this. I don’t know if that informs your perspective, or not.

I am infinitely frustrated that the story is getting as much traction as it is. Can we not pat the NYI on the head, and instead focus the attention on actual sex workers who are in danger, and useful responses to this issue? The amount of publicity NYI is receiving is a clear message that the perspectives of masked men who want to swoop in and rescue “pretty ladies” are more valid that the perspectives of people who are actually doing sex work and coming up with solutions to keep ourselves safe.

This kind of savior syndrome is conditional too – what if the ladies in question aren’t pretty? or cis? or have other characteristics that don’t make them perfect victims?

Furthermore, why can’t the NYI volunteer their “martial arts skills” and offer self defense trainings, instead of assuming we want strange, well-meaning men up in our business.

Maybe the NYI could use their power and privilege to shame the police on Long Island for their terrible responses, and the fact that they are continuing to arrest sex workers in the area instead of coming up with ways to keep us safe.

It’s not.

It’s just one step in the direction of something better for everyone. We’re prepared to network and communicate with ANYONE looking to make ANY change in the apathy and destruction running rampant in the world.

If you know of any way we can help, let us know.

ZERO, of the New York Initiative

~ and challenge the bullies of the world (because that’s all that murderers are) ~