From xo Jane: Caitlin Thomas writes in WHAT IT'S REALLYLIKE: I'M A DRUG-ADDICTED STRIPPER: Empowerment comes in the front door when I
can make rent in a singular evening. Yet, it leaves through the back door when
I blow it all on pills.
I like this woman’s honesty, but it does make me wonder what
the correct response is from the reader.
Should we be happy that she’s coherent enough to string
together words?
Should we rub our hands together with glee because we knew
all along that strippers were all a bunch of druggies?
Should we think it’s so cool and edgy to write about one’s
own vices while in the midst of them with that oh-so-cooler-than-thou-attitude
of superiority?
Or do we examine the role of memoir as it is used here to
hopefully enable this woman to see her demons out in the open and perhaps start
dealing with them before it is too late?
Personal writing can be used to help people in the midst of
traumatic experiences process the experience and see it for what it is. Thomas’
simple act of reflecting on her experience, which she admits is stereotypical
in most people’s eyes, will hopefully allow her to understand herself better
and deeper.
Bingo! Thank you for the write up. I devoured many stripper memoirs in the beginning of my stripping career, and I think its time to devour yours. I've totally heard about it before. It's an honor to be on your blog.
ReplyDeleteI do feel like with every piece I write, the closer I get to myself. It's very intimate and helpful. I'm hoping the sobriety will sprout soon.
-Caitlin Thomas
Cool, Caitlin! Let me know if I can be of any help on your journey!
ReplyDeleteSheila