Jayne Blog (Volunteerism, Nonprofit Tech, Civil Society, etc.)

Mar. 6, 2008 - "Pimping" is NOT "light-hearted"

Recently, an event was held that resulted in a web site by a well known international organization being greatly upgraded. Given the work of this organization to bring to light the consequences of sexual exploitation and involuntary servitude in the developing world, as well as the efforts being made all over the world to address such, it is unfortunate that the organizers of this redesign proudly proclaimed to have "pimped" this international organization's web site. In reply to my post expressing disappointment at the choice in words, an organizer wrote, "We're really just trying to be a little lighthearted...we use it in the most recent mainstream definition of the word."

Were I to use a racial slur in "a little lighthearted" way, because "in the most recent mainstream definition of the word", it just means "friend" or "man", I have a feeling use of that word would cause quite a bit of outrage. Or what if I'd greeted the poster in an equally "lighthearted" and "mainstream" way, calling her "bitch" or "ho" or the dreaded "c" word? After all, those terms are used just as freely as "pimp" these days, and all the singers and actors and comedians interviewed about their use of these words swear they aren't being derogatory to women.

In my work and the world in which I work, the word "pimp" still means a person who engages in human enslavement, trafficking and sexual exploitation, and a show on MTV and increasing use by techno hipsters and rap stars doesn't change that.

For more information about th sex trafficking of women and girls, and to understand why there is NOTHING cool or hip about slave traders, also known as "pimps", please see

About Jayne

This blog (web log) is by Jayne Cravens, and is primarily focused on resources and news regarding mission-based organizations: nonprofits, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), civil society, and public sector agencies, as well as development issues and humanitarian efforts. It promotes resources and opinions relating to volunteer management/community involvement, tech use by nonprofits, and outreach strategies for nonprofits. There are also some personal postings (such is the nature of blogs), regarding travel, causes I personally support (like women's empowerment, urban biking, etc.). To comment on this blog, you must register on forumer.com.

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