Two weeks ago, I discussed the existence of a third-world within the first-world. In a more recent blog post, I explored the challenges of combating sex trafficking in the United States, more specifically, in my progressive hometown of San Francisco. While I do not profess to completely comprehend the challenges of being a victim/survivor of sex trafficking, I can relate to the experience of being commodified and labeled as "exotic." The comments made by others on my "unique" physical appearance (as a result of my multi-ethnic ancestry), has led me to question if others can appreciate my knowledge and the complexity of my identity without getting distracted by what they see.

After reading Laura Hadden's blog about the LA Times article, I had to respond. I wrote a letter to the editor, I also wrote a letter to the editorial board. I emailed the article to everyone I knew, and I know a lot of people that wrote to the LA Times as well.

This is part of the response I got from the LA Times:

Earlier this month, Megan Williams, a 20-year-old black woman, was sexually abused, stabbed and tortured by six white people while repeatedly being called a racial slur.

Not In Our Town is working to facilitate an organized community response.

Here's what you can do to help.

America's Next Top Model recently glorified violence against women.  Their crime scene victim photo shoot provides us with visions of undressed murdered female bodies.  The shoot included vivid images of women in situations such as (but not limited to)- wearing lingerie with organs stolen, almost naked in a bed (legs spread) strangled, drowned and abandoned, severely beaten and thrown down a flight of stairs, and electrocuted in underwear.