I could see your face changing already by “Legalize Porn in Africa and the Caribbeans”..Calm down, don’t be like him, read the article first.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n A few months ago I had the gall to suggest that porn should be legalized in Africa and the Caribbean. My suggestion was in response to a recent publication that showed that the porn industry was gaining strength in many African countries, yet it remains illegal in most. Porn is one of the biggest industries in North America and it always manages to sustain and thrive in the worse of economic conditions. So why should Africa and the Caribbean not have access to the revenue the porn industry has to offer? In addition, the issue of porn being illegal in most countries means that those who chose to partake in the industry are doing so illegally and as a result, are more susceptible to exploitation. Additionally, not have legal repercussions and regulations in place in an industry that is obviously thriving despite being illegal, means that participant have no point of recourse for when they are taken advantage of and a lack of regulations means the likely spread of sexually transmitted diseases. While personally, I am not a supporter of legalizing pornography, I always like to \u2018rock the boat\u2019 by making sure that all perspectives are taken into consideration.<\/p>\n He responded to my argument by stating: While I must admit that I take pleasure in provoking the most passionate of reactions in people and he makes some very valid points, his response made me think of another question. Why are we as Africans and African descendants expected to adhere to higher moral standards? The success of North America provides as an indication of its acceptance in society. Does that mean that North Americans are morally corrupt and lack values? What satisfaction do we get and what benefits are there to be gained for being morally superior? Are these North American porn stars not someone\u2019s daughter, niece, or aunt?<\/p>\n As a child and even into my later teenage years I was prohibited from watching the Simpsons. My grandmother and aunt expressed that the subject matters covered in the show and the lack of respect Bart had for his father were inappropriate for my young impressionable mind. When I asked how come I was not allowed to watch these shows even though all my friends at school could, she responded, \u201cyou nah see how rude these kids are in Canada and the US? Next thing you know, you will be watching these shows and think it\u2019s OK to talk to me like that and talk back to me. These kids up here have no respect for their parents and elders and these shows help to foster pure rudeness, disrespect and slackness!\u201d As a well brought up child from a respectable Vincentian family, it was an expectation that adhere to higher moral standards than my North American peers.<\/p>\n
\n\u2018I don\u2019t know about the whole legalizing porn stuff (umm, why do u think Africa needs to adopt Babylon’s culture?). I don\u2019t want to sound too pious or anything, but porn would break down values that sustain families in Africa. Remember, a porn star is someone’s daughter, aunt, niece or cousin first and foremost. Would you want your niece to become a porn star? And while the cheque they get might be nice and the movie itself enjoyable (as I’ve ‘heard’), at the end of the day, it\u2019s just sex for hire…..The bad does not outweigh the good.\u2019<\/p>\n