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A review by spiringempress
Threadbare: Clothes, Sex, and Trafficking by The Ladydrawers, Anne Elizabeth Moore
3.0
A great idea with wonderful forewords by Anne Moore, but the overall the execution is poor. [b:Threadbare: Clothes, Sex, and Trafficking|26113718|Threadbare Clothes, Sex, and Trafficking|Anne Elizabeth Moore|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1459879300s/26113718.jpg|46060579] explores the rise of the Fast Fashion industry, its effects on local businesses, connection to human trafficking and the impoverishment of its workers in short panels. I learned a lot from this graphic novel but I often felt that the information in the panels came off like a factoid sheet and didn't connect all of these issues in an efficient or cohesive manner.
Part of this issue stems from the fact that these short panels were featured in a weekly column and were not seen as a collective whole. However, this does not excuse the poor thought out design of the panels. There were a couple of panels that featured font so tiny I had my nose a breath away from the page. Overall, the graphic novel took on large and complicated issues that require in-depth explanations and not just simple facts. As a result, the three chapters with their separate issues were completely disjointed from one another and failed to thoroughly investigate or even invest in these individuals' lives because of its brevity.
However despite this, I learned a lot about the fast fashion industry and its close connection to sex work. I was especially disheartened to see how many women leave prostitution and their pimps only to be abused by NGOs and their promise of fair wages and housing. It's such an unfortunate cycle and this graphic novel attempts to showcase how these women are often further abused by so called crusaders. In one instance, Moore discusses the controversy of Mam Somaly and even the white savior complex of Nicholas Kristof, who wrote [b:Half the Sky: Turning Oppression Into Opportunity for Women Worldwide|6260997|Half the Sky Turning Oppression Into Opportunity for Women Worldwide|Nicholas D. Kristof|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1320486170s/6260997.jpg|6444203]. Both who have complicated the lives of those trafficked by overestimating the numbers and creating a victim when the victim does not exist. The third chapter was by far my favorite because I have often thought about whether charities, NGOs and other so-called 'good' organizations are actually accomplishing anything beneficial.
Therefore, I appreciate Moore's tenacity and chosen campaign - I just wish she compiled this book with a little more thought to the cohesion, thesis and how the sub-themes would connect and flow. You know there must be a problem when the book ends with a summary and proclamation (almost like an rough draft outline) of how the book's major arguments and chapters are supposed to link up.
Part of this issue stems from the fact that these short panels were featured in a weekly column and were not seen as a collective whole. However, this does not excuse the poor thought out design of the panels. There were a couple of panels that featured font so tiny I had my nose a breath away from the page. Overall, the graphic novel took on large and complicated issues that require in-depth explanations and not just simple facts. As a result, the three chapters with their separate issues were completely disjointed from one another and failed to thoroughly investigate or even invest in these individuals' lives because of its brevity.
However despite this, I learned a lot about the fast fashion industry and its close connection to sex work. I was especially disheartened to see how many women leave prostitution and their pimps only to be abused by NGOs and their promise of fair wages and housing. It's such an unfortunate cycle and this graphic novel attempts to showcase how these women are often further abused by so called crusaders. In one instance, Moore discusses the controversy of Mam Somaly and even the white savior complex of Nicholas Kristof, who wrote [b:Half the Sky: Turning Oppression Into Opportunity for Women Worldwide|6260997|Half the Sky Turning Oppression Into Opportunity for Women Worldwide|Nicholas D. Kristof|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1320486170s/6260997.jpg|6444203]. Both who have complicated the lives of those trafficked by overestimating the numbers and creating a victim when the victim does not exist. The third chapter was by far my favorite because I have often thought about whether charities, NGOs and other so-called 'good' organizations are actually accomplishing anything beneficial.
Therefore, I appreciate Moore's tenacity and chosen campaign - I just wish she compiled this book with a little more thought to the cohesion, thesis and how the sub-themes would connect and flow. You know there must be a problem when the book ends with a summary and proclamation (almost like an rough draft outline) of how the book's major arguments and chapters are supposed to link up.