10 Times My Favorite Murder Was Super Feminist And We Loved It

LOS ANGELES, CA – OCTOBER 30: Actors Karen Kilgariff (L) and Georgia Hardstark record onstage during the ‘My Favorite Murder’ podcast at Entertainment Weekly’s PopFest at The Reef on October 30, 2016 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images for Entertainment Weekly)

Respectfully Discussing Sex Workers

When sex workers were first mentioned on My Favorite Murder, Karen and Georgia called them prostitutes. But after a listener wrote in referring Karen and Georgia to the right and wrong ways to discuss sex workers, they’ve changed their language and made a point to respectfully discuss sex workers. What often occurs in cases involving sex workers is a combination of victim blaming because of a “risky” lifestyle and just writing their murders off as a hazard of the job. This is wrong and My Favorite Murder has made a point to bring up how the labeling of a victim as a sex worker almost immediately changes perspective. Not only are they treated differently when they’re victims, but also tossed aside — another marginalized group thought to be “less important”.

In discussing one case specifically, Karen and Georgia made a point to describe the victim as a mother before mentioning that she was a sex worker. In bringing up her motherhood before mentioning her occupation, it was easy to tell how differently someone might assess the situation before knowing the victim was a sex worker. Challenging listeners and themselves to look at why we have certain stereotypes and expectations is another aspect of My Favorite Murder that is awesome. Next time you start to think less of someone, just remind yourself that no one deserves to be murdered.