We're really going to have to dig in our heels if we're going to avoid losing the
ground we have already earned in the battle for choice, and I think it is important to take a moment and think about that this year. Let's also choose our language carefully and do our best to find common ground with those who seem to be the opposition. No one wants to kill babies. That fact seems to get lost in all the so-called "discussion." This conflict isn't about killing babies vs. not killing babies, because most of the pregnancies that are currently ended by legal abortions would not have continued to term if abortions were illegal. Rolling back Roe v. Wade would do nothing more than make abortions something that rich women get in other countries, while poor women return to the backalleys and women with pregnancy complications are left to suffer and die. This issue is about women's health and our right to control our own bodies. We women are much more than
just our wombs and are quite capable of running our own lives. Many men seem to be completely oblivious to those facts (or deliberately obtuse) and unfortunately, they're the ones who are currently in charge. So, until more reasonable, compassionate souls take back our government, please do what you can to oppose those who would take away our right to choose. And let's remember that the
real pro-lifers support our schools, sex education, universal health care, prenatal care for the poor, social services, gay rights and responsible environmentalism while opposing the destruction of war and the death penalty.
(in case you're wondering, the photo is from the Planned Parenthood march across the Brooklyn Bridge in August, on the day before the protest of the RNC convention)
2 comments:
A male astrology teacher I had once told us why the glut of men in anti-abortion demonstrations: Because a baby is the only evidence that their dicks work.
I don't think comments about men's dicks are helpful. This isn't a men vs women issue, even though men are the ones deciding for women in this country. Believe me, there are plenty of women who, given a chance to take these men's places in government, would do exactly as these men have. It's a human rights issue. Let's keep the dicks out of it (ha ha).
But seriously, keeping our calm and not lashing out in a childish manner will get us further than getting ourselves qualified as hysterics raging against authority, or the patriarchal system as many like to call it.
There are legal ways to go about this thing. If necessary, passive resistance and civil disobedience (not violence) can be used. If Ghandi could get independence for a country, we can get autonomy over our own bodies.
For one thing, we could all start voting. I happen to know that a lot of people mouthing off out there aren't even voting. As long as we act like children, we will be treated as such.
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