A Man of Moral Sentiments

From: "Dennis R. Hidalgo" List Editor: "Dennis R. Hidalgo" Editor's Subject: REVIEWS: A Man of Moral Sentiments Author's Subject: REVIEWS: A Man of Moral Sentiments Date Written: Tue, 14 Feb 2012 08:57:35 -0500 Date Posted: Wed, 14 Feb 2012 08:57:35 -0500

Estimados Tertulianos,
Last week we published several excellent reviews that were waiting
distribution for some time.  They came out to public light without
introduction to ensure quick release, and to send out the message that
H-LatAm reviews were back.  But our intention and usual procedure is
to honor each review with a short yet proper overture that may explain
why we chose to evaluate such a book.  We also aim to attract interest
and provoke scholarly conversations.  Today we follow tradition.

Thus, we introduce Laura Agustín’s review of Siddharth Kara’s _Sex
Trafficking: Inside the Business of Modern Slavery_.  Agustín’s
contribution to our review project is timely. Kara’s book continues
receiving praises, but little in-depth critique.  This dearth of
censure and criticism to Kara’s work may relate to the current
perception that the topic is delicate and potentially charged as other
volatile subjects like Race and Religion. Scholars have been
investigating and publishing about Race and Religion for several
years.  However, the topic of commercialized international sex is
fairly new to scholarly studies, and it is filled with taboos as well
as with naiveté and just plain ignorance.

Kara’s book arrived when Western sensitivities began showing interest
on the international connections of sexual services.  Unfortunately,
it is often from a neo-colonial patriarchal perspective that
patronizes more than it helps to understand.  And for many, the
relationship between commercialized international sex, and the
historical Black slavery in the Americas seems all too obvious (thus,
the title of the book).  However, this simplistic view hides darker
thoughts.  It takes experience, dedication to scientific inquiry and
courage to confront Kara’s research and ideological flaws.  But
thankfully, Agustín has all these necessary traits.

For H-LatAm in particular, this review is relevant since recent
scholarly conversations about human (and human parts) trafficking and
sex tourism are focusing on the poorest and most precarious
populations of Latin America.  Including Agustín’s fresh voice in the
dialogue may help guard our field of study from methodological
problems we witness in other fields.  But we might not find comfort in
her assessment.  And that is fine too.  The directions of our
reactions to her review may also help produce a truly unique analysis.
 So, filled with hopes of attracting some salubrious attention, we
present to you a succinct, yet provocative review of Kara’s book.

Sincerely,

Dennis R. Hidalgo
H-LatAm Review Editor

A Man of Moral Sentiments