Parents at an elementary school in Compton, Calif. are in an uproar after hearing that former porn star Sasha Grey read to students as a part of the National Education Association’s Read Across America program on Nov. 2.
After hearing about the adult film star’s interaction with their children, parents complained to the PTA, who then went straight to the school principal. Following the backlash, a spokesperson for the school even went so far as to deny Grey’s participation in the event altogether to save face.
Grey fired back at critics over Twitter, saying that, “promoting education is an effort that is close to my heart.” She went on to say that she understands that people have their own opinions about her past but that, “I have a past that some people may not agree with, but it does not define who I am. I will not live in fear of it.”
On this point, Grey is absolutely correct. Her former career should not define her as a person, and while it is understandable that parents would be wary of her participation in the program, they should not condemn her for her past. It is not as if she committed any crimes or did anything that would call into question the safety of the children in her hands. Moreover, these elementary school children should have absolutely no knowledge of her career. Grey did not agree to waltz into the school and give a presentation on Career Day. She simply read a book to children, and there should be no harm in that.
Additionally, Grey has been retired from the adult film industry for some time now and is attempting to redefine herself as an actress, among other things. It seems like something of a paradox to condemn her for her past and then turn around and prevent her from redefining herself as an advocate for education and literacy. The fact that the Read Across America program accepted her as a participant speaks to the fact that her past does not impact her ability to encourage children to read in elementary schools.
Just as our jobs do not define us, we cannot define Sasha Grey by her past career, nor should we question her ability to make a difference in the lives of children by helping them learn to love reading.
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