Not 4 Sale | Lisette Rodriguez, 2019
“Not 4 Sale” is a quilt against sex trafficking that was originally inspired by a piece created by Erin Burns. Erin Burns’s piece was a bright red silhouette of a woman’s body with a barcode over her vagina along with the words “STOP SEX TRAFFICKING.” I thought the messaging behind this piece was so powerful that I created a woman’s silhouette with different skin tones to represent how any person can become a victim of sex trafficking. I want my audience to see themselves represented in this piece whether they were victims, they knew someone who is/was a victim, or that they could be a victim. The stripes on the bra are also symbolic as the black stripes represent 75% of women and girl trafficking victims globally, while the blue stripe represents the 25% of men, boys, and LGBTQ trafficking victims. The bra also resembles prison bars as victims are often “trapped” in the sex trade with minimal resources to receive help. Around the woman’s legs, I wrapped white fabric with the words “Not 4 Sale” with a barcode to showcase how dehumanizing it is to sell/purchase individuals. Sex trafficking is a form of modern day slavery, and most victims feel they are trapped because they don’t know their rights or out of fear of being incarcerated for prostitution. Thus, I wanted this piece to bring awareness to sex trafficking and for the piece to initiate conversations around who and how people become victims. Individuals can become victims through false job promises of modeling, “romeo pimping,” coercion, and even through their own parents (USC Suzanne Dworak-Peck, 2018). Runaway girls typically enter the sex trade between the ages of 12
to 14 years old (DoSomething.org, 2014). It’s important for my audience to break down preconceived notions about sex trafficking - that it only happens to mature women who are kidnapped, or are exotic dancers.
Living in California, sex trafficking has become increasingly more visible as I stumble across hotline numbers inside airport restrooms, and as I scroll through media posts about different ways individuals are being lured or kidnapped into the sex trade. Within the past few months, I’ve seen a great number of missing person posts from the Sacramento and San Jose area of young women, whose relatives believe, have been taken for the sex trade. I also recall a solidarity walk on a popular street in my town against sex trafficking and picket signs that said “end the silence” and “stop sex trafficking.” Individuals walked miles with bandanas covering their mouths while passing cars hooked in solidarity. According to DoSomething.org, “California harbors 3 of the FBI’s 13 highest child sex trafficking areas on the nation: Los Angeles, San Francisco and San Diego” (2014). As this issue seems to hit closer and closer to home, I can’t help but dispel the idea that sex trafficking only happens in foreign countries. Sex trafficking is happening in our own backyards, and I hope this piece brings awareness. In the United States, it’s important to be mindful of foreign visitors with temporary visas as they have higher rates of sex trafficking. If an individual suspects human trafficking, they are encouraged to call the national hotline number: (888) 373-7888, send a text message to the resource center: 233733 (text “HELP” or “INFO”), or visit: traffickingresourcecenter.org (USC Suzanne Dworak-Peck, 2018). Victims are often times afraid of disclosing information around their forced participation in the sex trade, so it’s vital individuals contact hotlines if necessary.
to 14 years old (DoSomething.org, 2014). It’s important for my audience to break down preconceived notions about sex trafficking - that it only happens to mature women who are kidnapped, or are exotic dancers.
Living in California, sex trafficking has become increasingly more visible as I stumble across hotline numbers inside airport restrooms, and as I scroll through media posts about different ways individuals are being lured or kidnapped into the sex trade. Within the past few months, I’ve seen a great number of missing person posts from the Sacramento and San Jose area of young women, whose relatives believe, have been taken for the sex trade. I also recall a solidarity walk on a popular street in my town against sex trafficking and picket signs that said “end the silence” and “stop sex trafficking.” Individuals walked miles with bandanas covering their mouths while passing cars hooked in solidarity. According to DoSomething.org, “California harbors 3 of the FBI’s 13 highest child sex trafficking areas on the nation: Los Angeles, San Francisco and San Diego” (2014). As this issue seems to hit closer and closer to home, I can’t help but dispel the idea that sex trafficking only happens in foreign countries. Sex trafficking is happening in our own backyards, and I hope this piece brings awareness. In the United States, it’s important to be mindful of foreign visitors with temporary visas as they have higher rates of sex trafficking. If an individual suspects human trafficking, they are encouraged to call the national hotline number: (888) 373-7888, send a text message to the resource center: 233733 (text “HELP” or “INFO”), or visit: traffickingresourcecenter.org (USC Suzanne Dworak-Peck, 2018). Victims are often times afraid of disclosing information around their forced participation in the sex trade, so it’s vital individuals contact hotlines if necessary.
Artist Bio
My name is Lisette Rodriguez, and I come from an old-fashioned, Mexican household of four, where I am the youngest and only daughter. My father, who only went to second grade, moved to the United States before marrying my mother, who had minimal college experience. I learned English through my older brother who learned the language when he entered elementary school.
My name is Lisette Rodriguez, and I come from an old-fashioned, Mexican household of four, where I am the youngest and only daughter. My father, who only went to second grade, moved to the United States before marrying my mother, who had minimal college experience. I learned English through my older brother who learned the language when he entered elementary school.