"Some Call Them Freaks"

As I look at all the ideas we brought up during Jessica’s discussion, it is hard to really fathom some of the decisions and idea of keeping these “deviant” bodies on exhibit even after their death. Julia Pastrana’s case, I feel it was atrocious how she was treated. I agree with others in the group that agreed that she could have just stayed with Lent because of the fact that she didn’t have anybody else, with the other fact that as with gender roles are concerned, most women didn’t have a say in anything and would choose the option of what was more secure for their future. So, with this not knowing what would have happened in her life, Lent had gotten her to marry him. I agree with Jordan where whether or not we know exactly why Lent stayed with her is purely a twisted mystery. Hypothetically, even if she was used for her hairy appearance and her performances, would she still have been exposed to the world with the fact that she was an inferior race with an extraordinary talent as well? Also, why didn’t anyone say anything about Lent showing her and her child as an “exhibition” after years of being up and around the world? Just another thing to think about...

Looking more at the actual visuals that our internet can come up with for research, I took the liberty in looking for videos. Starting with clips from the movie, “Freaks”, I found an HBO documentary about other “freaks”, including Julia Pastrana. Its a very good watch, and summarizes each story.

Julia Pastrana’s short story on HBO’s 1982 documentary, “Some Call Them Freaks”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YJANBC19GuY&feature=related

~Callie~