Warning! This is a statement about politics, religion, female issues and sex! Read at your own risk!
I am a woman, and my voice deserves to be heard.
Do you believe women have a right to be heard? Then why aren’t there more women out there screaming about what is happening in our society?
Where are modern day feminists? Being feminist is not a bad word. It means that you believe that people are people no matter whether they have a penis or breasts.
I am a feminist. I believe that women can do anything men can do, except for a few limitations based on biology. We don’t grow as big as men. We aren’t quite as strong. But what we lack in physical strength we make up for in intelligence, talent, stubbornness, and the ability to withstand pain.
So why are so many people trying to push us down? And, more importantly, why are we letting them?
I don’t care whether or not you are pro-choice or anti-abortion. I don’t care whether you are Republican, Democrat or something else. The issues have moved beyond that. This is about power. It is about control.
Control our bodies, control our ability to make decisions about when and how we have children, limit our access to justice when we are raped, control our choices about whether or not we work–and you have made us second-class citizens. Again.
This is what some men want. Why? Because they are afraid of our power. What would happen if women joined together in true feminine power to stand up for what is right? For justice, equality, kindness and sensitivity.
I’ll tell you what would happen, if we can learn to support each other as women rather than tear each other apart because of difference: the world would become a better place, and men would lose control.
It’s all about power. It’s all about control.
Perhaps you believe that women should be subservient to men, or that the Bible or some other religious tome tells you to behave certain ways or believe certain things. You have a right to your beliefs, but don’t I have a right to mine? This country was made (after destroying the Native American Peoples) because groups of people from all over the world wanted the right to believe as they pleased. What happened to that idea?
Perhaps these books came from a religious source, a God, but they were written down by MEN. The ideas, the rules, the practices were all interpreted by men. The possibility of misinterpretation or intentional misinterpretation can’t be ignored.
Doesn’t that give us something to think about?
Believe what you want. That’s fine. But I want more for my daughter. I want her to grow up knowing that she has a voice in our society, and that she has control of her body. True story, I have been on birth control since I was 16 years old. Go ahead, call me a slut, but here’s my reality– I did not lose my virginity until I was 24 years old. Then why was I on birth control? Because my periods were debilitating, and I could not function without regulating them.
Lose access to birth control, and you are going to see a lot more bitchy women out there.
I also lost a child. I blamed myself because I had started taking an anti-depressant that was not for pregnant women before I knew I was pregnant. I was crushed! I was devastated. Yet, some of the laws being pushed today would have made that time of my life even worse, because I could have been accused of murder. Miscarriages happen all the time, but if some of the laws pass, women who cannot prove it was accidental can be charged with murder.
Yet, a man who rapes a woman and impregnates her may get off, because this society often blames the victim.
This is no longer about who is the President, or who controls the budget or any of the other divisive party issues out there. This is about freedom and it is personal.
It’s time ladies and gentleman, to stand up for equality for ALL. Women, men, gay, lesbian, transgender, black, white, hispanic, mixed race. It doesn’t matter. We can no longer sit by quietly and let a few pompous, wealthy, arrogant white men clutch to their power and their own fears while making everyone else a second class citizen.
We seem to be lacking in the leadership of women like Gloria Steinem and others who led the feminist revolution. But, we have something they did not, we have the power of social networking. Revolutions have begun because of Facebook and Twitter, isn’t it time for us to stand up against these vicious attacks?
Stand together as women. Stand together with us, men who recognize that women are partners. Don’t let political parties and religion push us back into subservience.
This is my rallying call! If you support it, pass it on or write your own.
I am a woman, and I demand to be heard.
Here are some other posts you should read . . .
Caitlin Kelly at Broadside wrote this post which inspired me to write out my own frustration.
This post, from a (former) Republican, lists many of the attacks being made against women, and why that is so problematic.
Feb 21, 2012 @ 16:23:48
Powerful post.
Feb 21, 2012 @ 16:24:46
Thank you, Julie.
Feb 21, 2012 @ 16:59:46
I hear you roar and I will join in! Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr!
Feb 21, 2012 @ 17:03:01
Pass it on, or create something to continue the roar. We need a lot of volume.
Feb 21, 2012 @ 17:09:00
It’s scary to think that in today’s society you would have to send up a rallying cry like this. And, yet, it seems like you do. I will be sure to pass along. Thank you, Lisa.
Feb 21, 2012 @ 17:19:09
Thanks Milton.
Feb 21, 2012 @ 17:37:22
Truth be told, this has been coming for a long time. First of all, I remember the 70s when we tried to get the ERA ratified. The attacks by those against it (businesses, religious groups and some men) were successful and scared many women off. But they weren’t content to win, so they continued to divide and conquer.
Look around you. Who are the most well-known feminists? They are all white and upper-middle-class. They have no clue about the wants and needs of the rest of us, and have done little to show their support. So women working white collar jobs have great perks; the rest of us are still praying our kids don’t get sick so we won’t get fired for missing too much work.
And look at what we’ve been taught and are teaching our children. That we are still of little worth unless we are pencil-thin and beautiful. We don’t value our brains, our strength or our skills. It’s OK to have that stuff, but you better be pretty first.
The last presidential election brought out many younger women who supported Obama over Hillary. They called her old and tired. They wanted a young, fresh leader. So we got stuck with yet another man, when we could have had a woman leader. Why? What did we teach our children? It sure wasn’t to respect womanhood.
So here we are. The only women who ARE sticking together are the social conservatives, and they are the ones that want to tell the rest of us what we can do with our bodies and when.
Pretty sad, isn’t it?
Feb 21, 2012 @ 18:22:49
It is so very sad, indeed. While I like Obama, I was so disappointed when Hillary didn’t win the nomination.
Feb 21, 2012 @ 17:42:19
It’s frightening to think how quickly and easily we as women could lose so much of our rights. Reproductive freedom is an absolutely critical keystone, in my opinion. Regardless of whether an individual woman chooses to use birth control, not use birth control, get pregnant, or safely/legally terminate a pregnancy, it’s crucial that THE CHOICE is available. (It’s the same thing with same-sex marriages– legal safeguards should be in place to keep people safe, healthy, and happy!)
Fantastic post, Lisa– keep roaring!
Feb 21, 2012 @ 18:20:28
Thanks Dana. Add your voice to the clamor!
Feb 21, 2012 @ 18:27:24
While I agree with the majority of what you are saying, there are some men out there that do not treat women as lesser individuals, so like women, men can not all be grouped into one lump and labeled. As far as hormones and bitchiness goes, I had a time in my life when I was borderline suicidal. My sister suggested SamE, an over the counter hormone adjuster that I can not recommend highly enough. I took it for 10 days at a cost of about $13.00. It turned my world around. You can Wilki SamE and get a lot of information on what it is, and how it works, and it does work WONDERS.
As a final thought, I will add this to all of you ladies that don’t stand up for yourselves… if you don’t, nobody else will. Here’s to the power of self!
Feb 21, 2012 @ 18:34:33
I tried not to lump all men together, so I apologize if I did not succeed. Thanks for the suggestion if I need it in the future . . . my point was really that birth control serves other purposes than just birth control.
Feb 21, 2012 @ 18:40:02
I know, but I know some really sweet guys, so I had them in mind when I commented. Like you, I had some horrible periods and hormone fluctuations. I only wish someone had clued me in to SamE years ago. I’ve commented on the product because it works so well in several places over the years, really you and others benefits that read your comments. I don’t know if it would work on Men or not, but it sure was the answer to my question.
Feb 21, 2012 @ 18:43:11
I know lots and lots of sweet guys too, and I hope they stand by what I meant.
Feb 21, 2012 @ 18:36:15
Reblogged this on The odd ramblings of a mind that does not quite fit and commented:
Today, I am a woman.
Feb 21, 2012 @ 19:01:00
Go sis!! Our nation has forgotten it’s origins, and is quickly becoming governed by hypocrisy! We fight wars against theocracies, because of their intolerance, hatred, and denying of human rights, while at the same time trying to become one ourselves. The worst part is it is the same people supporting such wars who want to become a theocracy! As much as this is an attack on woman, it goes even deeper than that. This is an attack on free will, and the whole concept of choosing our own paths in life. Today I am a woman, as I said on my blog when I reposted this.
Feb 21, 2012 @ 19:08:44
Our country is truly on its way to becoming a terrifying place for anyone who doesn’t follow the party line.
Feb 21, 2012 @ 23:21:47
I’m going to repost this tomorrow…I could not agree with you more!
Feb 22, 2012 @ 08:22:33
I’d be honored. Thank you.
Feb 22, 2012 @ 14:13:42
Girl powerrrrrrr!
Feb 22, 2012 @ 15:06:59
We have it if we only used it well!
Feb 22, 2012 @ 17:33:44
Be sure to get out and vote in November!! Let’s send a message to those guys who think they can whip us back into shape!
Feb 22, 2012 @ 17:35:35
I will definitely be voting and getting other people out there if I can. Sadly, that doesn’t seem to enough.
Feb 22, 2012 @ 17:44:59
When the current power base grants ONE woman decisive power over the dispensing of eight billion dollars with zero accountability to anyone, you are medically captive and subordinated to HHS. That should have everyone howling into the night. Having worked in ibgyn for thirty years I can say with authority that you ain’t seen nuthin’ yet. The autonomous decision wrapped up everybody’s knickers. To be clear, working in a hospital based practice, never was anyone denied any level of care. Show up with no money or insurance for your scheduled ultrasound? Okay, off to the business office where some wizard will figure out how to get it paid for. No one seems to know that in every single major city there are countless resources of money, overlapping duplications of money for care. No stigma, no withholding. Just find a source. Need an oral contraceptive? Planned Parenthood hands them over for free. Want an abortion?. Same place. I personally do not want to pay for it. You do what you need to do. Birth control is a personal choice, something I personally applaud. But regardless of religion or politics, it is not the only item on the laundry list of power. And not just for women. The agenda to control the POPULATION at large, and deal with the correction, please, It’s not just rich white men who want that control. How do you ignore black men and other power happy women? This is an enormous problem, folks, with birth control as the opening salvo. Keeping up with the men and women who govern us is a full time job requiring a score card. Hours and hours watching both liberal and conservative networks, reading at least three major newspapers and countless blogs just to know the day’s agenda. No one can do that who is not a professional earning a paycheck to do it. And that’s the idea, trust me. You cannot keep up. And just an aside, here, you cannot guarantee a female will remember to take her pill. Decide where you want to put the responsibility and then demand it. The nation was founded on personal choice and PERSONAL consequence. That seems to be the hard part, accounting for where we are in the burgeoning nanny state. And while we are at it, sooner or later someone will tell us what’s unacceptable to blog about. We used to board the freedom train in this nation. Now we’re experiencing the freedom drain.Think I’m worried? That word hardly describes it.
Feb 22, 2012 @ 17:52:14
Thanks for your input Barbarann.
Feb 22, 2012 @ 19:04:54
Amen, Sistah! We must shout out against the war on women!
Feb 22, 2012 @ 19:33:25
Good to hear your voice join in.
Feb 24, 2012 @ 15:44:11
Brilliant, Lisa!