"My Mother was a Whore," Nikki Levine

            This short essay is a recount of Nikki Levine's childhood living with a drug-addicted mother who worked as a prostitute. Although Levine's childhood and life with her mother was incredibly hard - filled with disease, abuse, poverty, this piece shows that Levine's experiences gave her a strength and sense of street smarts she could use to her advantage. She argues that sex work is a completely viable profession and used her mother's work as a framework for what to do and what not to do. This essay would be an interesting - and perhaps even challenging - read for any individuals who take an anti-sex work stance. -C.S.

In her memoir, "My Mother Was a Whore", Nikki Levine poignantly depicts how economic inequalities can lead to different job choices. In Nikki’s neighborhood in Jersey City, she claims that very few people held legal occupations. With less access to education, no ties to a religious community, and less opportunities, Levine shows how illegal activities, like prostitution, are normalized and accepted as a form of income. Because sex work was a part of her daily life, Levine saw selling the body as a legitimate job. Her use of crude speech, her way of bluntly using words used by prostitutes and their patrons, shows that she is desensitized to the lifestyle that led her mother to drugs, into an abusive relationship and contracting AIDS. However, Levine is not ashamed of her mother, who taught her to walk with her head up, even if she’s a whore. Levine’s mother, now passed away, gives her strength and confidence in her daily life as a sex worker. - K.B.

In this brief article, Nikki Levine recounts her childhood growing up as the daughter of a prostitute.   She recalls her experiences as her mother married a drug-addicted mafia member, attempted to join the witness protection program, and later found her way back to the life of drugs and prostitution.   The author explains how these experiences growing up have helped to shape who she is today.   She describes her mother in only the fondest terms and credits her mother for teaching her how to use her body if she ever needed to without feeling embarrassed or ashamed.     The author is very clear throughout the article that nothing about her mother being a prostitute is wrong.   She expresses great respect for her mother and the lessons she taught about never being afraid or ashamed.   The article shows how a woman, no matter what her profession, can still respect herself and be proud to support herself without feeling afraid or ashamed.   -E.S.

            Nikki Levine writes a personal story of her mother's prostitution.   In visually descriptive words, Levine shows a lifestyle unique to her mother.   She explains indifference as the reason for the prevalence of sex work in her community.   Therefore, the stance against sex work is not considered.   As a sex worker herself, this tell-all tale offers an example to some of the gendered occupations opened for women.   Thousands of years back, it was an option and it still is.   Other than being of a gender issue, prostitution shows to be of a class issue too as seen from this article. -N.S.