So, here is the link to the keynote address I showed a few minutes of in class the other day. I have also included the photo that was addressed in Jessica's speech. I think it is poignant in that it speaks volumes as to the barriers and setbacks that women have to face in the world of activism and social change. I have noticed in many cases that issues headed by men are more likely to gain media attention, except for the ones where women are portrayed as 'angry' whereas a man would be portrayed as 'persuasive', but anyway...
I read recently on this website about the number of bills passed and proposed that limit women's reproductive rights and I was astonished. Still, in 2014 we're fighting the fight that began so long ago.
Why?
Patriarchy, surely, but in a country-in a society-where people claim there is equality, how does this still happen? Are women still considered to be like those women that Wollstencraft described: caught in perpetual childhood? Is our opinion valued so little that old white men are the ones making decisions about our bodies?
As a woman, I can't help but repeat what Jessica was saying: Yeah, I'm fucking pissed.
I really enjoyed this. I am pro-choice, and I actually appreciate the ongoing debate on the topic because abortion can have serious medical and social repercussions and its legal limitations should be reviewed and thought about often. But yeah, the problem with congress' debate is if you look at the statistics, the debate is being mostly had with white males. Then some of the females in congress feel like they will be judged for using their experience as a women while making decisions. I attached a link to some statistics about gender and race in congress.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.measureofamerica.org/113congress/