A colleague recently brought to my attention the story of “Belle Knox,” a Duke University freshman who was  outed (and subsequently harassed on campus and social media) for her decision to work in the porn industry to help pay for her exorbitant tuition. ( I find it necessary to mention that my mother’s name is Belle, my fiancé’ was recently accepted to Duke  University, and I had the noteworthy experience of befriending Amanda Knox, whom Belle derives her stage name from, so bringing attention to this story seems unavoidable for me.)

While her interview on CNN with Piers Morgan did not offer the best preview into the complex and controversial issue surrounding Belle Knox’s story, in my opinion, her exposé published in XOJane gives an interesting glimpse into the financial and moral issues, as well as some of the truths that deeply complicate the world of pornography from the perspective of the performers rather than the consumers.

I couldn’t afford $60,000 in tuition, my family has undergone significant financial burden, and I saw a way to graduate from my dream school free of debt, doing something I absolutely love. Because to be clear: My experience in porn has been nothing but supportive, exciting, thrilling and empowering.

I find it interesting that porn (a billion-dollar industry) is consumed by millions of people– men and women (and all other equally wonderful genders) alike — yet no one is willing to consider the lives of the people behind the camera. No one wants to hear about the abuses and exploitation that take place, no one wants to hear about the violence committed every day against sex workers, no one wants to consider that we have hopes and dreams and ambitions.

 

 

-Caterina Gironda