Papers by Rebecca Whisnant
This article examines the work of Tristan Taormino, a prominent self-described feminist pornograp... more This article examines the work of Tristan Taormino, a prominent self-described feminist pornographer, in order to illustrate themes and commitments common among those who produce, perform in, and/or support feminist pornography. I argue that her work is burdened by thin and limited conceptions of feminism, authenticity, and sexual ethics, as well as by the profit-based exigencies of producing ''feminist porn'' within the mainstream pornography industry. I conclude that, if indeed feminist pornography is possible, Taormino's work falls far short of the mark. Public Health Significance Statement: This study suggests that Taormino's pornographic films are unlikely to have salutary effects on the sexual and relational lives of their consumers.
Everyday Pornography (ed. Karen Boyle), 2010
Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy, 2009
Global Feminist Ethics, 2008
Hypatia: A Journal of Feminist Philosophy, 2007
Pornography: Driving the Demand in International Sex Trafficking, 2007
In the past couple of months, I've thought a lot about what information I could present to a grou... more In the past couple of months, I've thought a lot about what information I could present to a group of people with such a wealth of knowledge and experience regarding the matters this conference was created to discuss. It is particularly humbling to be asked to speak about activism, since many of the participants of this conference are much more involved in the front lines of this movement than I am. My hope is to offer a few reflections that may aid us in developing an activist agenda around pornography and prostitution that is both practical and visionary, both broad-based and politically coherent, both radically challenging and deeply humane. In so doing, I hope to make the most of certain occupational hazards of my profession, academia in general, and philosophy in particular, namely those of focusing on the big picture and painting in broad brush strokes. I'll be talking not about the nuts-and-bolts of activism, but about the overall analysis and the long-term strategy within which I would like to see anti-pornography activism be rooted.
Uploads
Papers by Rebecca Whisnant