Naked Is the Best Disguise
🕑 Added 2021-03-27 14:48:43 +0000 UTCOne of the things about studying Burlesque history that has always made me curious is why there are so many burlesque stories that center the white experience and so few that are centered around The experiences of Black and Brown performers. Until now!
Don’t get me wrong, any story on this topic is a crucial piece to understanding whorephobia and explaining why sex work and sex work adjacent work needs advocacy and visibility. I’m thankful anytime I come across stories that give women in marginalized parts of society a voice.
I purchased this book a few weeks ago and just got it in the mail. I’ve devoured each page, obviously hungry for answers.
This book was purchased specifically for research on the combat zone.
I knew I was reading a story about a young stripper from the Combat Zone named “Lolita” but I did not realize that I would be reading the story of a Black/Jewish striptease performer and sex worker.
What a rare and priceless story it is.
The entire book is raw, revealing and revolutionary.
Clearly this book could make an incredible resource for civil rights advocates, sex workers rights and inclusive intersectional feminism.
This book is a rare jewel in any library and affordable for now. I have a feeling now that the secret is out it will be hard to find soon. I found mine on eBay.
Comments
David L. Chapman
I read the book shortly after it was published. It is a gritty telling of what it was like in Boston's notorious "combat zone". It shouldn't come as any surprise to anyone how sex workers are treated in society. For over two thousand years we have labeled women into either Madonna or whore categories.
Jose Rivera
Thanks. Purchased
Stephen Potter
The book, Laura Lewin's "Naked Is The Best Disguise: My Life As A Stripper" is available on eBay from which I just bought a copy. Go for it!
Kim Rice
AbeBooks has around a dozen copies available.
Jose Rivera
I have it on my wish list since it is out of stock. I understand your point of the racial but thinking when they were published makes sense. I believe from learning from our past mistakes so we do not repeat them. Coming from Puerto Rico with a very mixed family helped me see colorless or genderless no matter when. I thank my grandparents for it
Stephen Potter
I've gone ahead and purchased a copy of "NAKED IS THE BEST DISGUISE, MY LIFE AS A STRIPPER" from eBay. Thank you Danielle for pointing it out to me. Strippers, especially the drop-dead gorgeous ones who take it all off and then dance totally nude on stage for the next 10-15 minutes turn me on more than any other type of woman on the street, bar none!
Paul Branchett
Just found a used copy on Amazon, ordered it. You make the whole history of stripping sound so interesting, so I thought I would like to read more about it. Thank you
