Congress has cut federal funding for public media — a $3.4 million loss for LAist. We count on readers like you to protect our nonprofit newsroom. Become a monthly member and sustain local journalism.
This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.
This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.
Read Across America Refuses Donation from Porn Company Affiliated with Sasha Grey
Sasha Grey, right, with Burning Angel's Joanna Angel, left (Photo by Koga/LAist)
()
Last November, Sasha Grey caused a bit of an uproar when she participated in the Read Across America program by reading to elementary school kids in Compton. Now, the story of the porn star and the classroom is in the news again, as a company releasing an adult film in which Grey is featured has offered to donate some of the film's proceeds to the National Education Association's program.
Assence Films is making a video called "Anal Artists," and one of Grey's scenes will be included, reports the Huffington Post. To support Grey's demonstrated commitment to literacy, Assence offered up the donation.
But here's the twist: the NEA, which of course is just rolling in dough right now, turned the donation down. In a statement to HuffPo, the organization said:
"Sasha Grey is not affiliated with the National Education Association’s Read Across America program nor has she been invited or endorsed by NEA to read at any of the association’s Read Across America Day events, and NEA will not accept any proceeds from her latest, or any of her films."
Support for LAist comes from
The only conceivable justification for this decision is if the NEA is getting so much money on the regular from anti-porn crusaders that accepting a donation from Assence would result in a net loss when their other sponsors pulled the plug.
And maybe that's the case. Or maybe it would be such a PR nightmare for the NEA to have to calm the nerves of the American masses that it wouldn't be worth it to take the money.
But it kind of doesn't matter, does it? Because the bottom line is that fewer books will now be in classrooms. And whoever is ultimately at fault for that -- be it the NEA or the people who would have fought them on accepting the donation -- should be ashamed.
As Editor-in-Chief of our newsroom, I’m extremely proud of the work our top-notch journalists are doing here at LAist. We’re doing more hard-hitting watchdog journalism than ever before — powerful reporting on the economy, elections, climate and the homelessness crisis that is making a difference in your lives. At the same time, it’s never been more difficult to maintain a paywall-free, independent news source that informs, inspires, and engages everyone.
Simply put, we cannot do this essential work without your help. Federal funding for public media has been clawed back by Congress and that means LAist has lost $3.4 million in federal funding over the next two years. So we’re asking for your help. LAist has been there for you and we’re asking you to be here for us.
We rely on donations from readers like you to stay independent, which keeps our nonprofit newsroom strong and accountable to you.
No matter where you stand on the political spectrum, press freedom is at the core of keeping our nation free and fair. And as the landscape of free press changes, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust, but the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news from our community.
Please take action today to support your trusted source for local news with a donation that makes sense for your budget.
Thank you for your generous support and believing in independent news.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
The L.A. City Council approved the venue change Wednesday, which organizers say will save $12 million in infrastructure costs. -
Taxes on the sale of some newer apartment buildings would be lowered under a plan by Sacramento lawmakers to partially rein in city Measure ULA.
-
The union representing the restaurant's workers announced Tuesday that The Pantry will welcome back patrons Thursday after suddenly shutting down six months ago.
-
If approved, the more than 62-acre project would include 50 housing lots and a marina less than a mile from Jackie and Shadow's famous nest overlooking the lake.
-
The U.S. Supreme Court lifted limits on immigration sweeps in Southern California, overturning a lower court ruling that prohibited agents from stopping people based on their appearance.
-
Censorship has long been controversial. But lately, the issue of who does and doesn’t have the right to restrict kids’ access to books has been heating up across the country in the so-called culture wars.
Best of LAist