It has taken me a few days to get through this brilliant work by Conner Habib.
In each of the sittings I took to read it, I had to stop, reflect, unpack thoughts, relate his words to other things I’ve been reading and hearing. It is a busy time in the world of porn performers being public and these words, these eloquent, touching, thoughtful words could be the antidote to all of the negative feelings swirling and encompassing the porn world. By sharing his experiences—personal, professional, philosophical—Conner fills a void that has long existed in the narrative of porn and the public’s relation to it.
Some might suggest that bringing the word hate into the story is too strong, too much. But I don’t think so. If you consider the reaction to Belle Knox, you see there is hate. Or Sasha Grey before her. Or the thousands of performers Habib mentions who have lost jobs, families, friends all because they participate in the industry of sex.
And those who actually express enjoyment of their work? I think they suffer the most. People are so conditioned to think that porn can’t possibly be enjoyable, preferred, a choice. It must not be. Sure there are those who have had bad experiences. Their stories aren’t to be ignored—but neither of the positive stories. Conner makes an excellent point by addressing this, that people will just skim past, ignore or not even read the parts where performers declare their enjoyment in participating. Particularly women.
It may have taken me a few days to read this piece, but that was time well spent. And the days it will take me to reread it will be just as good.
