Painting: ‘Sien Nursing Baby’ by Vincent van Gogh (1882)
In modern vocabulary ‘prostitute’ refers to a person who is in the business or practice of engaging in sexual activity in exchange for payment. However, if we refer to the etymology of the word ‘prostitute' then it becomes clear that the word ‘prostitute' is derived from the Latin word ‘prostituta’. It is a verb which is composed of ‘pro’ meaning ‘up front’ and ‘stituere’, defined as ‘to offer up for sale’.
While referring to the above, I wonder that in today’s world of hardcore capitalism who is not for sale? Singers and Musicians are selling their voice and fingers and dancers their feet. Models are selling their bodies whereas learned people their time.
This capitalist economy has forced all of us to become salesmen. Since our childhood we are simply taught to convert ourselves into a product that has demand in the market so that someone can buy us. What can be a better example in this regard than the example of writing a resume. If you have ever written a resume, then you can exactly understand what I am talking about.
This capitalist economy in the guise of development has taken away all our freedom. It has converted us into slaves in the hands of our superiors who have bought us. They have bought our time, body, mind and sometimes our soul. Here, a question may arise that if this system is so draconian then why we are selling ourselves? The answer to this is simple. We sell ourselves because in return we can buy. We can buy our food, clothing and shelter. And that too not only for ourselves but also for our near and dear ones. In simple terms we sell because we can buy a livelihood.
Therefore, when it is clear that we are selling ourselves in order to earn a livelihood then how does it matter if we are selling our voice, hand, fingers, body, time or any kind of sexual service. How can we treat selling voice or time as superior to that of selling our bodies for sex. If the intent behind selling is same, then how come selling our bodies for sex be a less moral act then selling our bodies for modelling. How can the society despise a sex worker selling her body to feed her baby and respect a bureaucrat who has sold his soul to stay in the good books of his superior. Does anything of this make any sense? If no, then you perfectly understand what I want to convey.
In this capitalist market it does not matter what designation or band name you give to yourself. If you are selling, then you are a prostitute and so am I!
Until Next Time,
Ashutosh
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