Immigrants in Prostitution.

1.     Prostitution: This is a horrible business. In Takaki it mentions that Chinese prostitutes worked “at an average on 38 cents per customer and seven customers per day” (Takaki 122). The words that Takaki uses are also extremely telling of the situation that these women were in, when Takaki describes that these women were very “profitable for their owners” (Takaki 122). The word “owners” stopped me in my tracks while reading. These prostitutes were not even considered employees, but rather profitable property. These women were not only exploited by Americans, but also by other Chinese. In this time, prostitution was not illegal, but nonetheless it was an extremely dangerous and degrading means of survival. These women were in constant danger of health issues, as well as abuse from their customers or owners. I did a high school project on human trafficking and it is a subject I am very passionate about. It infuriates me to know that women and girls (and boys) were and are still treated in this despicable and degrading way.

    

     I think that most people can agree that this was a horrible practice and business, but what people don’t realize is that this is how immigrants were treated. All may not have been used for prostitution, but they were exploited for their skills, just as these women were. It all falls under the same category, yet many people view them as separate and different issues. In any case where people are owned, exploited for skills, or seen as property, it I wrong and inhumane.