Why Are Women Angry? Because 'They Still Have to Protest This Shit'

[niyad]

(an excellent read)


Why Are Women Angry? Because 'They Still Have to Protest This Shit'

Answering the clichèd question, 'Why are Feminists so angry?'


On January 28, Jessica Valenti delivered a keynote address about anger, activism and reproductive rights to the staff and supporters of Planned Parenthood Gulf Coast, in Houston.

Transcript:

I’m honored to be in a room with such incredible activists and supporters of the wonderful work PP Gulf Coast does—so thank you for having me here. Given that there’s news on women’s reproductive rights every day (most often none of it good), when I was thinking about what to say today, I had a hard time narrowing it down.

It’s really difficult to articulate the nuance and the complexity of issues like activism, women, politics, bodily integrity. Then I was reminded of this protest sign that I saw a picture of, and I wanted to share it with you because I think it perfectly captures the sentiment of this particular moment in the fight for reproductive rights:

There’s something about it—it’s simple, it speaks to all generations. And this is actually a picture from a demonstration in Virginia when the state was trying to mandate transvaginal ultrasounds for women seeking abortions—a mandate I know you all know very well because Texas was also on its way to passing one when this protest occurred.

So I wanted to show you this picture because its funny, but I also wanted to share it because there’s a story behind it.



. . . .

http://www.commondreams.org/views/2013/01/31/why-are-women-angry-because-they-still-have-protest-shit

[Lifelong Protester]

1. AHA! This exact sign is on a print (on a card)

I have on my desk. Sign has same colors, same print, and STILL is underlined in orange! It has an allegory of America coming ashore (Wade) carrying a paddle (Row/Roe). I didn't know that the sign was from a famous picture.

And yes, we are mad we have to protest this sh** still!

[niyad]

2. good thing to have on one's desk.

[Lifelong Protester]

3. Yep, old and still pi**ed!

[niyad]

4. yes, we are.

[Dragonfli]

5. Of course, it is infuriating that they should have to. The real question is

why don't people understand the anger?

It makes perfect sense, IMO woman are losing a great deal of ground and in many cases the loss of ground is life threatening where health issues are concerned.

I think since most of the really dangerous attacks in the war on women is state based GOP legislation spreading like wild fire. The only solution in my opinion is for the federal government to get involved, much as they had to during the not to terribly long ago civil rights era when states were using similar tactics against PoC.

Why the hell not the national guard escorting women to an abortion clinic in a country where the right supposedly exists for women to make their own health choices? People for some reason disagree with this idea of mine, but I don't understand why.

There are more subtle discrimination laws against women where others solutions still need to be found, but access to safe clean abortion clinics for every women that needs one should be protected by the federal government and where the ploy used is to make it so no clinics are allowed to operate within a reasonable distance, federal clinics should be brought to bear to provide abortions or contraception as needed (even basic women's health as even that is apparently being lost due to bullshit).



It is not my intention to but into women's issues (being a man) but we are all people and half of the people are being attacked and I love and have loved many of this half of our population starting with the first one I ever met, my mother.

[sheshe2]

6. Hey.

First of all. Thank you.

Sigh. It is ignored. DU ignores this.

Of course, it is infuriating that they should have to. The real question is
why don't people understand the anger?

It makes perfect sense, IMO woman are losing a great deal of ground and in many cases the loss of ground is life threatening where health issues are concerned.

I think since most of the really dangerous attacks in the war on women is state based GOP legislation spreading like wild fire. The only solution in my opinion is for the federal government to get involved, much as they had to during the not to terribly long ago civil rights era when states were using similar tactics against PoC

Please butt in! We have never agreed on anything, yet~ I have been asking forever for a mans voice here in support of women's rights. I have said over and over, we all have a woman in our life. Mom, sister, wife, daughter....more.

It is not my intention to but into women's issues (being a man) but we are all people and half of the people are being attacked and I love and have loved many of this half of our population starting with the first one I ever met, my mother.

I am not the Op, yet as a woman I so thank you for your response. Women, we matter.

Thank you so very much, your support can save a womans life.. dragonfli.

[Dragonfli]

8. Well, it appears we do agree on something after all.

[sheshe2]

9. I guess we do.

This is why I have no one on ignore, love to see it unfold~

Thank you for your support and to your mom...

[niyad]

12. thank you!! you are not butting in, men have women in their lives about whom

they care. one would think that would be obvious, but, sadly, even on this board, that isn't so.

your idea of the national guard escorts is interesting. would make those damned clinic protestors take notice.

[Dragonfli]

20. I don't know why every time I brink up that idea people look at me like I have two heads

or I am crazy (with the exception found in this thread). It seems like a no brainer to me.
Those protesters are akin to the same ones that used to line up to oppose people of color trying to go to school, they deserve to be held back by authorities and treated the same IMO.

[1StrongBlackMan]

17. Because ...

Of course, it is infuriating that they should have to. The real question is why don't people understand the anger?

(per DU) You must understand ... this ... and racism ... and heterosexism ... will all go away, once income equality is achieved. Until then, asking such questions is divisive, and frowned upon.

[Dragonfli]

19. I am one of the strongest proponents of economic justice posting here, i disagree with

that straw man. Many simply feel that we can and should have both social AND economic justice, I don't like being asked to choose, they go hand in hand.

Those hardest hit by economic injustice are minority and women as an example, I don't see how fighting for a fair economic deal in any way negates fighting for equal rights for all.

I do not believe you can even have one without the other. I live in a very poor part of town, my neighbors are almost entirely PoC. Economic justice would help all of us here, why do you wish to imply we must fight for one and not the other when they are so intertwined that it would be impossible to do so?

Some politicians ask us to choose, they are not our friends.

[1StrongBlackMan]

21. But ...

Many simply feel that we can and should have both social AND economic justice, I don't like being asked to choose, they go hand in hand.

It is NOT PoC or women saying:

If you don't understand that income equality is THE problem; then, YOU are the problem.

(An actual DU quote ... posted, then deleted, and spoken of no more)

why do you wish to imply we must fight for one and not the other when they are so intertwined that it would be impossible to do so?

I'm not! I do, however, resist when I am told that one (the social) is less pressing than the other, though.

Some politicians ask us to choose, they are not our friends.

Agreed ... and some DU don't ask, they demand. That was my point.

[Dragonfli]

22. Sounds like you need to take that up with the poster saying that

Broad brushing those that care about economic issues is not the way to go IMO.

[1StrongBlackMan]

23. I did ... I do ... and I will ...

take it up with that DUer. My point for posting what I did is because that DUer is not unique in his opinion or presentation.

At some point, pointing out observations cease to be "broad brushing" ... I see that point as having been reached when some of DU's "Pillars" post income equality primacy posts and that post receives 100s of Recs.

What say you?

[Dragonfli]

24. I say that I do not see what you do, but perhaps my perspective is skewed because three

People in my neighborhood were rendered homeless this winter, and I am poor. I see a movement that would seek economic justice and applaud it, financially comfortable people seldom see income inequality as important.

I wish personally that you would support economic justice as well as social justice just as I do, but not being poor perhaps you just don't much care about that aspect of fighting the good fight.

I see all these issues as not just a hobby but an imperative, women will die over hatred, minorities will die over hatred, people like me will die after becoming homeless and stuck outside in a winter in Buffalo.

The bigots will continue to thrive, the misogynists will continue to thrive and the vampirific 1%ers will continue to suck our blood if we do not at least try to stop them all, and on each front, what you believe you see is non existent as far as I can tell, a couple of assholes that don't realize they can chew bubble gum and walk at the same time but the rest caring about economic issues because they are important, each separate cause should be supported by us all, yet there will be those that specialize in fighting one as a main focus while still supporting the other issues that others focus on as their specialty.

What say I? You are wasting your time on division and personal dislikes of a few posters better left ignored. I also say this entire sub-thread is an unnecessary distraction from what I view to be an excellent OP about an issue that is becoming critical and I wish you would have chosen another time and place to play "I want to fight with the progressive".

I would really appreciate it if you would post more in support of this OP and argue with me about the need or lack thereof of fighting for economic justice in a more appropriate thread. That's what say I.


(edited to add, I should not have butted in here, my post and presence has only appeared to act as a catalyst for derailment of the OP, I will reduce future damage by keeping my thoughts to myself)

[1StrongBlackMan]

25. I think you have me twisted ...

If you think I do not support both economic AND social justice.

ETA: But that said ... peace.

[sheshe2]

7. Kick...

already rec'ed. See my response to another poster.

I am in stunned, something changed here? If so, it is for the better.

[Spitfire of ATJ]

10. What REALLY gets them angry is the men who think they have all of the power....

....and can decide for others based on their mood.

[niyad]

13. not only based on their mood, but on their blind, hateful ignorance, just like

the "abortion pill is reversible" nonsense in arizona.

[1StrongBlackMan]

18. I live in Arizona ...

and have read such headlines ... but have referred to read the article because I'm afraid the stupid might seep into my head.

[niyad]

27. how such ignorant people think they have a right to make rules and laws on

subjects about which they know nothing, and willfully know nothing, is almost beyond me.

I agree, don't read the articles--I did, and it was most painful (mostly to the people around me listening to me scream!)

[McCamy Taylor]

11. Mad as hell and I'm not going to take it anymore. And I'm not waiting on the back burner

for "my time to come after everyone else gets theirs" either.

[niyad]

14. yes, how long have we been told that?

[niyad]

15. . . .

[F4lconF16]

16. Kick, kick, kick.

Did you see TygerBrights thread?

http://www.democraticunderground.com/10026449683

10,000+ years and we still haven't figured this out. Humanity needs to grow up, and by that I mean men need to get their crap together already.

[niyad]

28. I have not been online the last couple of days, so I thank you for pointing this one

out to me. a most excellent read.

[onecaliberal]

26. We should jail all the men to get women pregnant

Then refuse to take responsibility and leave the women and child(ren) to struggle and live in abject poverty.

[niyad]

29. a most excellent thought, but the damned woman-hating, pro-forced birthers in

our legislatures will never do that.

[onecaliberal]

30. Agreed. It's maddening.

[midnight]

31. This right, what to do with one's body, should be protected.

[niyad]

32. and yet, the right to full autonomy for women is increasingly under ever-more virulent attack.