Former Porn Actress Sasha Grey Is Reading To Children and I'm Okay With It

Last week former porn actress Sasha Grey participated in the Read Across America program at Emerson Elementary School in Compton, CA.

Grey is known for her "innocent"-like features, which is her gimmick.

Grey left the porno biz two years ago, to pursue mainstream acting. She was featured in a 2009 indie film entitled, The Girlfriend Experience. Director Steven Soderbergh cast Grey as the main character. She played a $2,000 an hour Manhattan call-girl.Earlier this year she released a book entitled Neu Sex, which features behind the scenes photographs from the porn world, interspersed with brief essays.

Grey's participation in the Read Across American program has angered parents to the extreme. In response Grey has released a statement:

"Read Across America" is a program that was designed to promote literacy and instill a lifelong love of reading in elementary school students. Promoting education is an effort that is close to my heart. Illiteracy contributes to poverty; encouraging children to pick up a book is fundamental.

 I believe education is a universal right. I committed to this program with the understanding that people would have their own opinions about what I have done, who I am and what I represent.

 I am an actor. I am an artist. I am a daughter. I am a sister. I am a partner. 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. To challenge non-profit education programs is an exercise in futility, counter-productive and anti-educational.

I cannot thank my fans and 'Read Across America' enough for supporting my decision. Your support and kind words continue to inspire me. I believe in the future of our children, and I will remain an active supporter and participant in education-focused initiatives."

As an anti-pornography feminist, it is clear that I do not find Grey's former career choice to be a healthy one. Even so, I have no problem with her reading to small children. The kiddies will not be made aware that this woman was a porn actress. It's also important to understand that porn actresses and other sex workers are not wicked. More simply, porn actors and actresses are people too. They love, they bleed, they poop, the dream. Whaddaya know, so do the rest of us. Grey's former profession exudes patriarchy, but her current endeavor is one of merit.