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Drugs, Sex & Rape

 

This video discusses and analyzes the different events of rape or threats of rape that occur within the show.

Orange Is the New Black is set in Litchfield's women prison. Within this prison there are various events relating to drugs, sex and rape that occur. In the first episode alone you are exposed to several sexual activities happening among the inmates. Throughout the series you are shown each of the women's crimes that caused them to be arrested. Many of these crimes are surrounded by drugs, adultery, sexual activities, and so on.

 

There are also a few staff members that are corrupt within the prison. George Mendez, a correctional officer, secretly smuggles drugs into the prison through the kitchen staff. He trades the drugs and food to the inmates in exchange for sexual favours. Mendez's actions even leads to an overdose of an inmate, which he frames as a suicide.

 

John Bennett, another correctional officer, is not as corrupt as Mendez, but starts a secret affair with an inmate Daya Diaz. He gets her pregnant, which leads to them having a secret relationship. Eventually Daya and her fellow inmates work out a plan to make it appear that Mendez raped her and got her pregnant. This eventually causes Mendez to be fired and incarcerated.

 

Officer Mendez "frisking" Piper.

Officer Bennett and Daya arguing over her pregnancy.

In regards to religion, it is well-known Christianity does not believe in sex before marriage, and praises celibacy and virginity (11). The Bahá'í faith also believes that sexual relations should only occur between husband and wife, and forbids extramartial sex (12). However many Neopagan religions, Wicca for example, has no prohibitions against sexual intercourse outside of marriage (13).

 

It appears that many religions are against the use of drugs as well. For example Islam prohibits any use of drugs that are not medically prescribed as it harms the body and because their intoxication effects (14). Research has suggest that most religions follow this exact same belief.

 

Overall it seems that many of the events related to sex and drugs that occur within Orange Is the New Black would be disapproved of by the majority of religions. This could cause offense to the religious individuals who stumble upon this program. For the most part it it is dependent on the individual and the level of faith that they have, or how seriously they acknowledge television series.

Officer Mendez and Daya. This is part of Daya's plan to pin her pregnancy on him. 

Video retrieved from: http://youtu.be/yOAu2ED_Fmc

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