The latest episode of "The A Word" is up! In April's episode, Nicole hosts and starts by going over the demographics of the women we've funded in April. Next, she discusses CAF's "Clean The Lot" outreach event in response to the racist anti-choice billboards put up on the Southside of Chicago.
Check it out here! It's 19 minutes long, cut over3 videos.
Showing posts with label Represent for RJ. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Represent for RJ. Show all posts
Thursday, May 19, 2011
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
The Last 2010 Episode of "The A Word" Is Up!
Damillia hosted December's episode of "The A Word," giving the low-down on the Chicago Abortion Fund!
Check it out here. It's 20 minutes long, with 3 videos.
Check it out here. It's 20 minutes long, with 3 videos.
Sunday, May 15, 2011
"The A Word" on the NuvaRing and Domestic Violence Awareness Month
Another new playlist added!
Damillia & Jessica, members of Chicago Abortion Fund's leadership group My Voice, My Choice, hosted October's episode of "The A Word." They discuss the NuvaRing and domestic violence awareness month.
Check it out here! Three videos total, 24 minutes long.
If you, or someone you know is involved in an unhealthy relationship that you need to talk to someone about, please call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at: 1−800−799−SAFE (7233)
Damillia & Jessica, members of Chicago Abortion Fund's leadership group My Voice, My Choice, hosted October's episode of "The A Word." They discuss the NuvaRing and domestic violence awareness month.
Check it out here! Three videos total, 24 minutes long.
If you, or someone you know is involved in an unhealthy relationship that you need to talk to someone about, please call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at: 1−800−799−SAFE (7233)
Friday, May 13, 2011
September's Episode of "The A Word" Is Up!
Sorry for the delay! We have a small backlog of our leadership group's amazing call-in, public access show, "The A Word."
September's episode is now up! Click here to be directed to the playlist. It's in 3 parts on Youtube, totaling 25 minutes.
In September, Brittany & Nicole discussed Depo Provera (aka "The Shot") and why talking about abortion is so important. They also brought up issues on poverty, welfare, women of color, the Hyde Amendment, and reflected on what being in Chicago Abortion Fund's has afforded them.
Check it out!
September's episode is now up! Click here to be directed to the playlist. It's in 3 parts on Youtube, totaling 25 minutes.
In September, Brittany & Nicole discussed Depo Provera (aka "The Shot") and why talking about abortion is so important. They also brought up issues on poverty, welfare, women of color, the Hyde Amendment, and reflected on what being in Chicago Abortion Fund's has afforded them.
Check it out!
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
Let's STRIKE DOWN Barriers to Abortion Access!
Chicago Abortion Fund is hosting our third annual Bowl-A-Thon to raise funds for the women we serve.
This year, for the second time, we’re teaming up with all our sister funds around the USA (and world!) to raise money for women who can’t raise money for themselves. Last year, we exceeded our best expectations and we’re hoping to blow the lid off of our 2011 goal!
If you’d like to donate, you can do so at our bowl-a-thon fundraising site. You can donate to the event itself, an individual player, or a team.
Our site has been live for a few days and we already have several returning teams: Crooked Brew Crew, Pin Pals & the Vegan Vixens! Thanks to everyone who signed up early! If you’d like to join in on the fun, sign up at the website. If you have any questions, contact Emelda at: veganemelda@gmail.com
Hope to see you there!
Chicago Abortion Fund’s 2011 Bowl-A-Thon
Saturday, April 30th from 2:30 – 4:45
This year, for the second time, we’re teaming up with all our sister funds around the USA (and world!) to raise money for women who can’t raise money for themselves. Last year, we exceeded our best expectations and we’re hoping to blow the lid off of our 2011 goal!
If you’d like to donate, you can do so at our bowl-a-thon fundraising site. You can donate to the event itself, an individual player, or a team.
Our site has been live for a few days and we already have several returning teams: Crooked Brew Crew, Pin Pals & the Vegan Vixens! Thanks to everyone who signed up early! If you’d like to join in on the fun, sign up at the website. If you have any questions, contact Emelda at: veganemelda@gmail.com
Hope to see you there!
Chicago Abortion Fund’s 2011 Bowl-A-Thon
Saturday, April 30th from 2:30 – 4:45
Tuesday, June 8, 2010
Crisis Pregnancy Centers & the Deceiving They Do
Recently while searching the internet for work, this absolutely disgusting website popped up (I took a screenshot)-
First off, this is a complete misrepresentation of miscarriages and the situations that surround them. Miscarriages are hard to study scientifically- of one study, 22% of pregnant women miscarried before a standard urine test could even register that they were pregnant. An additional 9% of women in the study miscarried.
The risk of possible miscarriages drop significantly after you can hear the embryo's heartbeat on an ultrasound- generally after 6 weeks. That's a 2 week period (assuming the woman has a 28 day cycle and took a pregnancy test at 4 week) where miscarriages are apt to happen and the woman would know.
Further, I'd really like to know what "technology exists!" that can detect if you're likely to miscarry or not that doesn't cost thousands of dollars. The technology that exists is expensive and women who suffer repeat miscarriages use it to aid their fertility. It's not designed for the average woman to detect if she's likely to miscarry or not (especially not in the hopes that she will). The website simply states that they'll do an urine test (i.e., the same pee stick you get at a corner store) and an ultrasound (and I'd really like to see what they say at the appointment).
I'm not sure where the "enlightenment" comes from this website. Misconstrued facts and studies to meet their anti-choice ends? Telling women who are possibly in crisis to wait- and wait- and wait until they miscarry, so when the woman opts for an abortion, the cost of the procedure is more, the process is longer, and the possible risks to the woman (mostly involving general anesthesia) grow. Not to mention a miscarriage is a medical complication that can harm and/or kill a woman depending on the details surrounding her miscarriage.
This is disgusting, and I really hope the women who stumble upon the website realize the information they are presenting is being done in a way to sway them in the direction on one possible choice in life.
First off, this is a complete misrepresentation of miscarriages and the situations that surround them. Miscarriages are hard to study scientifically- of one study, 22% of pregnant women miscarried before a standard urine test could even register that they were pregnant. An additional 9% of women in the study miscarried.
The risk of possible miscarriages drop significantly after you can hear the embryo's heartbeat on an ultrasound- generally after 6 weeks. That's a 2 week period (assuming the woman has a 28 day cycle and took a pregnancy test at 4 week) where miscarriages are apt to happen and the woman would know.
Further, I'd really like to know what "technology exists!" that can detect if you're likely to miscarry or not that doesn't cost thousands of dollars. The technology that exists is expensive and women who suffer repeat miscarriages use it to aid their fertility. It's not designed for the average woman to detect if she's likely to miscarry or not (especially not in the hopes that she will). The website simply states that they'll do an urine test (i.e., the same pee stick you get at a corner store) and an ultrasound (and I'd really like to see what they say at the appointment).
I'm not sure where the "enlightenment" comes from this website. Misconstrued facts and studies to meet their anti-choice ends? Telling women who are possibly in crisis to wait- and wait- and wait until they miscarry, so when the woman opts for an abortion, the cost of the procedure is more, the process is longer, and the possible risks to the woman (mostly involving general anesthesia) grow. Not to mention a miscarriage is a medical complication that can harm and/or kill a woman depending on the details surrounding her miscarriage.
This is disgusting, and I really hope the women who stumble upon the website realize the information they are presenting is being done in a way to sway them in the direction on one possible choice in life.
Sunday, April 4, 2010
"The A Word" - February- is up!
Due to computer difficulties, we're a little behind in uploading this year's episodes of our public access call-in show, "The A Word." I'm uploading them all as quickly as I can edit them!
Here's part one (of three), from February- Brittany, part of the My Voice My Choice Leadership of Chicago Abortion Fund (CAF), interviews me, the Client Services Coordinator of CAF. I talk about the recession's effects on the fund.
Here's part one (of three), from February- Brittany, part of the My Voice My Choice Leadership of Chicago Abortion Fund (CAF), interviews me, the Client Services Coordinator of CAF. I talk about the recession's effects on the fund.
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
Today is National Day of Appreciation for Abortion Providers
And they have a lot to be appreciated for!
I'd like to thank everyone who helps women obtain the abortions they want and need- from my fellow co-workers at CAF and the volunteers/leadership group members who dedicate their time to help make choice possible to the other funds & logistics organizations that help women pay for their procedures, help drive/fly them to clinics, or watch their children while they are at the doctor's.
A big, big thank you to the clinic staff, who walk through picket lines and are targeted for harassment (or worse) in their service to women & their families. A special thanks to the ones who take the time & energy to really counsel the women in their care to make sure that, not only is an abortion the best option, but whom go out of their way to help in any other way they can- referring to other agencies and organizations, even if the patient decides to continue the pregnancy. I always appreciate when the clinics we work with take the time to not only make the space a healthy, safe environment but also a warm, inviting and caring place.
And of course, where would we be without our doctors, nurse practitioners, pharmacists and all others who directly perform and/or assist women with their abortions? Thank you, thank you, THANK YOU for what you do. Under constant attack- verbally, emotionally & all-too-often physically-, you continue to press on with your much needed skills. I am ever so grateful that you continue to help women.
My heart goes out to Dr. Tiller's family & staff today, and hope that they are comforted by the good he did.
I'd like to thank everyone who helps women obtain the abortions they want and need- from my fellow co-workers at CAF and the volunteers/leadership group members who dedicate their time to help make choice possible to the other funds & logistics organizations that help women pay for their procedures, help drive/fly them to clinics, or watch their children while they are at the doctor's.
A big, big thank you to the clinic staff, who walk through picket lines and are targeted for harassment (or worse) in their service to women & their families. A special thanks to the ones who take the time & energy to really counsel the women in their care to make sure that, not only is an abortion the best option, but whom go out of their way to help in any other way they can- referring to other agencies and organizations, even if the patient decides to continue the pregnancy. I always appreciate when the clinics we work with take the time to not only make the space a healthy, safe environment but also a warm, inviting and caring place.
And of course, where would we be without our doctors, nurse practitioners, pharmacists and all others who directly perform and/or assist women with their abortions? Thank you, thank you, THANK YOU for what you do. Under constant attack- verbally, emotionally & all-too-often physically-, you continue to press on with your much needed skills. I am ever so grateful that you continue to help women.
My heart goes out to Dr. Tiller's family & staff today, and hope that they are comforted by the good he did.
Friday, December 4, 2009
Women Can’t Afford Inequality
“Women Can’t Afford Inequality” was, hand-down, the best sign I saw at anti-Stupak-Pitts Amendment rallies. I can’t tell you how much that resonated in me. As the recession continues, abortion funds are seeing a swell of people calling in for funds- not just from the women themselves, but also from families and friends trying to gather information for their loved ones and from clinics asking for just a little more…
At CAF, we’ve been getting more calls about fetal anomalies and women's health risks. More women are being denied by their private insurance companies for medically necessary abortions. Take, for example, a woman who called whose insurance did not want to cover her surgical abortion, necessary to complete her natural abortion (miscarriage) until she had an actual infection. She and her husband were told by the hospital they’d need $9,000 for the procedure, if they didn’t want to wait to endanger her life. Another woman had a large tumor that needed to be removed and decided that an abortion made sense both medically and at this time in her life, but her student insurance wouldn’t cover it. Between her and her parents, she still needed more. A single mother’s fetus was diagnosed with multiple anomalies and had to drive 6 hours each way for the multi-day procedure.
Can you imagine these women hearing “No.” from the insurance companies they thought they could rely on? The companies they were paying for out of their own pockets? Even if they are lucky enough to come up with most of the money… And lucky enough be helped by the clinics that discount the procedure or by getting through to the funds that still have money… More often then not, they still have to come up with gas money, transportation if they don’t own a car, money for childcare, take off precious days from work (if they’re lucky enough to be working in this economy), find/afford housing near their clinics if they can’t go home the day or two (or sometimes 3) that they need to be at the clinic… All while racing against the clock, as their pregnancies progress and the procedures become longer, more involved, and more expensive.
We need to stop the Stupak-Pitts Amendment, repeal the Hyde Amendment, and nip any similar amendments in the bud. Because women can’t afford inequality.
At CAF, we’ve been getting more calls about fetal anomalies and women's health risks. More women are being denied by their private insurance companies for medically necessary abortions. Take, for example, a woman who called whose insurance did not want to cover her surgical abortion, necessary to complete her natural abortion (miscarriage) until she had an actual infection. She and her husband were told by the hospital they’d need $9,000 for the procedure, if they didn’t want to wait to endanger her life. Another woman had a large tumor that needed to be removed and decided that an abortion made sense both medically and at this time in her life, but her student insurance wouldn’t cover it. Between her and her parents, she still needed more. A single mother’s fetus was diagnosed with multiple anomalies and had to drive 6 hours each way for the multi-day procedure.
Can you imagine these women hearing “No.” from the insurance companies they thought they could rely on? The companies they were paying for out of their own pockets? Even if they are lucky enough to come up with most of the money… And lucky enough be helped by the clinics that discount the procedure or by getting through to the funds that still have money… More often then not, they still have to come up with gas money, transportation if they don’t own a car, money for childcare, take off precious days from work (if they’re lucky enough to be working in this economy), find/afford housing near their clinics if they can’t go home the day or two (or sometimes 3) that they need to be at the clinic… All while racing against the clock, as their pregnancies progress and the procedures become longer, more involved, and more expensive.
We need to stop the Stupak-Pitts Amendment, repeal the Hyde Amendment, and nip any similar amendments in the bud. Because women can’t afford inequality.
Monday, August 31, 2009
My Take on What Happened at Dr. Carhart's Clinic
I have a twitter account, and I was micro-blogging the whole day while us CAF folks were helping to defend Dr. Carhart's clinic from an ad-hoc protest called by Operation Rescue and local anti-choice groups in Nebraska. I thought I'd post what I saw and heard, from the beginning.
Other clinic defenders stayed longer than we did, to make sure the last patients and the staff got safely to their cars, but we had a 7/8 hour drive home, so we left (I got home at 1 in the morning on Sunday, after leaving Chicago around 8 on Friday!). I'm really happy that we went and I got to meet Dr. Carhart. He was a very nice man and very, very appreciative of us being there (and so were at least two of the patients/support that we saw).
6:13 AM
At the clinic... Lines of pro choice folks surrounding clinic, some stayed all night(?) Most have been here for 2 hours already.
6:43 AM
The antis said they'd be here 30 minutes ago... We already have the sidewalks surrounding...
6:53 AM
Saying "pro-abort" does nothing more than make you sound like a moron, folks.
7:08 AM
Cops kicked us away from the front if the clinic, saying it's the anti-choice folk's spot... We've been here over 2 hours.
7:21 AM
They're here! Yelling! Praying underneath gas station signs!
8:01 AM
Two bomb sniffing dogs onsite. Plus riot cop van in waiting.
8:09 AM
Patients starting to come in. Chants of "Welcome, welcome, this clinic stays open," to drown out anti-choice folks on bullhorns.
(Actually, I was wrong. There weren't any bullhorns, one guy had an amazingly loud voice.)
8:24 AM
Again, with the "fetuses are not babies" sign. Grrrr. Bad sign. Fetuses ARE babies in some peoples' eyes, even prochoice ones.
8:26 AM
Also, stop trying to sell your newspapers. *mutters under her breath so her commie and socialist friends don't hear her*
8:51 AM
Most of the anti-choice folks are older, all white and they seem to be all Catholics. I said the rosary with them. It's been awhile.
9:05 AM
Why do anti-choice folks think they have a monopoly on religion? I'm an atheist, but the only one at work! Everyone else attends church.
9:41 AM
As soon as my group walks up, the guy starts shouting about how, "slavery was legal!" Way to go, white dude.
10:02 AM
Oper. Rescue is claiming there's about 60 for both sides. Liars. There's about that anti-choice, yes, but double that pro-choice.
(Later, it was more like triple that, at least, for our side, with more like 70/80 for the anti-choice folks' side.)
10:15 AM
Two people who have been convicted of committing felonies against clinics/staff (one arson, one injury) are here, protesting Dr. Carhart.
11:34 AM
RT @rhrealitycheck: http://twitpic.com/fpo4t - This is jennifer mccoy. She burned down a clinic in virginia. #carhart
12:07 PM
McCoy's parading a black child that's clearly not hers (her white kids aren't interacting w/her) AND her children are playing in the street.
12:55 PM
People kept on screaming at women coming into/out of clinics, "Mama! Mama! Mama!" Obnoxious.
12:56 PM
Somebody from Army of God was here, too. Which is why there was a swat team.
1:43 PM
1 in 3 women will have an abortion by the age of 45. Over 60% of those women who have an abortion already have children.
1:47 PM
Goodbye parting: a little girl trying to wave a Bible at us, which was too heavy for her to hold. I think that sums up the day.
Other clinic defenders stayed longer than we did, to make sure the last patients and the staff got safely to their cars, but we had a 7/8 hour drive home, so we left (I got home at 1 in the morning on Sunday, after leaving Chicago around 8 on Friday!). I'm really happy that we went and I got to meet Dr. Carhart. He was a very nice man and very, very appreciative of us being there (and so were at least two of the patients/support that we saw).
Friday, August 28, 2009
Headed to Nebraska
A few of us in the CAF community are headed out to Nebraska to help defend Dr. Carhart's clinic from an "outreach" event hosted by Operation Rescue. I don't know why their "outreach" involves people from all over the US, but hey. Here's some interesting info on both Dr. Carhart and Operation Rescue.
"Dr. Carhart, Under Threat from "Domestic Terrorist Network," Abandoned by Federal Marshals," by Jodi Jacobson at RH Reality Check
Rachel Maddow exposes Operation Rescue's connection to Scott Roeder, the man who assassinated Dr. Tiller.
"Dr. Carhart, Under Threat from "Domestic Terrorist Network," Abandoned by Federal Marshals," by Jodi Jacobson at RH Reality Check
Rachel Maddow exposes Operation Rescue's connection to Scott Roeder, the man who assassinated Dr. Tiller.
Thursday, March 5, 2009
Saturday, January 24, 2009
Frustrating comments
There are so many frustrating comments flung back and forth between the pro-choice and anti-choice movement.
Part of the reason I love my work at CAF is, we cut out that crap (at least, most of the time ;) ). On our show, we just cut off the anti-choice callers. We don't engage too much with the "other side." We're too busy protecting and helping the women that call us in their desperate, vulnerable moments and who are willing to contact us to help them empower themselves and improve their lives.
Recently, while reading the comments of an article in the Washington Post about a medical student's weighing of whether or not to become an abortion doctor, I wasn't surprised about the slinging of insults, facts, and fantasy back and forth between people. Quite frankly, both sides annoyed me. But the most ridiculous argument was:
"By that line of reasoning, shall we wonder why pro-choicers only start caring about children when they leave the womb?"
(in response to "[anti-choicers] only care about fetuses, not children")
Some judgmental pro-choice people might follow that line of thinking, but no reproductive justice activist (of which I am) would ever not care about the health of a pregnancy. Us reproductive justice activists care about the first environment (the womb) and fight for reproductive health and environmental health (a major reason women and reproductive organs are unhealthy). We are often the ones fighting for more (FREE) pre-natal care, access to alternative birthing means*, better food in neighborhoods, etc. etc. From what I've read, states with the most liberal abortion laws often have the healthiest children and most programs that improve the lives of families, especially women and children.
At CAF, we place a series of follow-up calls with the women who use our services. Sometimes women decide to go through with their pregnancies or are forced too because they were too far along (both outcomes have many reasons behind them). We offer to send them an informational package with many resources (helpline numbers, programs, informational brochures)- on parenting, pre-natal health, birthing options, breastfeeding, newborn and infant care, support groups and more.
I care about and fight for the rights of women and children. The only difference for me, however, is I don't consider a pregnancy a child unless the woman does. I am sensitive enough to use whatever language the woman and/or would-be mother wants to use to pull myself up to her level. Because I'm not in her situation. This is a sensitivity- nay, a conviction- anti-choice people seem to lack.
*Doulas, for instance, consistently improve parental-newborn bonding and with all parties'- mother(s), child(ren), father(s), etc.- overall health and satisfaction with the birth.
Part of the reason I love my work at CAF is, we cut out that crap (at least, most of the time ;) ). On our show, we just cut off the anti-choice callers. We don't engage too much with the "other side." We're too busy protecting and helping the women that call us in their desperate, vulnerable moments and who are willing to contact us to help them empower themselves and improve their lives.
Recently, while reading the comments of an article in the Washington Post about a medical student's weighing of whether or not to become an abortion doctor, I wasn't surprised about the slinging of insults, facts, and fantasy back and forth between people. Quite frankly, both sides annoyed me. But the most ridiculous argument was:
"By that line of reasoning, shall we wonder why pro-choicers only start caring about children when they leave the womb?"
(in response to "[anti-choicers] only care about fetuses, not children")
Some judgmental pro-choice people might follow that line of thinking, but no reproductive justice activist (of which I am) would ever not care about the health of a pregnancy. Us reproductive justice activists care about the first environment (the womb) and fight for reproductive health and environmental health (a major reason women and reproductive organs are unhealthy). We are often the ones fighting for more (FREE) pre-natal care, access to alternative birthing means*, better food in neighborhoods, etc. etc. From what I've read, states with the most liberal abortion laws often have the healthiest children and most programs that improve the lives of families, especially women and children.
At CAF, we place a series of follow-up calls with the women who use our services. Sometimes women decide to go through with their pregnancies or are forced too because they were too far along (both outcomes have many reasons behind them). We offer to send them an informational package with many resources (helpline numbers, programs, informational brochures)- on parenting, pre-natal health, birthing options, breastfeeding, newborn and infant care, support groups and more.
I care about and fight for the rights of women and children. The only difference for me, however, is I don't consider a pregnancy a child unless the woman does. I am sensitive enough to use whatever language the woman and/or would-be mother wants to use to pull myself up to her level. Because I'm not in her situation. This is a sensitivity- nay, a conviction- anti-choice people seem to lack.
*Doulas, for instance, consistently improve parental-newborn bonding and with all parties'- mother(s), child(ren), father(s), etc.- overall health and satisfaction with the birth.
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
CAF Call-In Show #10 Now Online!
Here is part 1 (of three)- check out the links at the end of the video for parts 2 and 3!
Monday, September 29, 2008
CAF Web Updates
Looking for a way to beat the Monday Blahs? Get informed on radical reproductive justice views!
Gaylon Alcaraz, Chicago Abortion Fund's executive director, has written a new report entitled, "Challenging Times, Yet Not Impossible Times!"
Check it out here!
Also, September's Call-In in show is available for viewing on youtube! Gaylon interviews Nilsa, from LORE- Latina Organizing Reproductive Equality.
Check out our you tube page!
Gaylon Alcaraz, Chicago Abortion Fund's executive director, has written a new report entitled, "Challenging Times, Yet Not Impossible Times!"
Check it out here!
Also, September's Call-In in show is available for viewing on youtube! Gaylon interviews Nilsa, from LORE- Latina Organizing Reproductive Equality.
Check out our you tube page!
Saturday, August 2, 2008
CAF's July 08 Call-In Show Posted on You Tube!
Check it out!
Enjouli from the My Voice, My Choice leadership group and Maya from the Illinois Caucus for Adolescent Health represent! They talk about women of color, teenagers, reproductive justice, the Hyde Amendment, comprehensive sex education and more!!!
Enjouli from the My Voice, My Choice leadership group and Maya from the Illinois Caucus for Adolescent Health represent! They talk about women of color, teenagers, reproductive justice, the Hyde Amendment, comprehensive sex education and more!!!
Thursday, June 12, 2008
This is a little late...
Several weekends ago, I went to a Choice USA Midwest Reproductive Rights Conference and it was... amazing. I love organizations that get it. While most of the conference was focused on organizing for reproductive justice on college campuses, I was pleasantly surprised by their bringing in of other topics that intersect with reproductive rights*.
The other young women and men there were amazing and a well needed reminder of the privilege and resources inherent in organizing in a major urban city. Sometimes I get so frustrated with the lack of support available to organizers and leaders- then I have to remind myself with how much less much of the rest of the midwest (and world) have to go on.
One of the workshops I think I got the most out of was the "Understanding the Opposition". Not just for the amazing break down of the presenter's well-researched book, but for the beginning of a formulation of a response as to why we at CAF do the leadership group. As a young biracial woman who grew up poor, I know that having the right to an abortion is just one of the many rights needed- and hard to access- for the population we serve. This is the feminist movement's ultimate flaw: it is being organized, by and large, by middle aged, middle to upper class, white and/or assimilated women. I am proud and in awe of the women that have come before me in the feminist movement, and those that are organizing now, but there is a need for leadership change.
The problem is, the opposition, the anti-choice movement, understood this almost from the get-go and exploited this weakness. They have been rallying people that mainstream feminists have been ignoring: young women, women of color, women with disabilities, poor women, single mothers... And when there's no else who seems to try to be helping, the anti-choice's lies and justifications seem comforting, right and sensible. After all, everything is easier in black and white, especially when one side is offering you diapers and the other side is theorizing about rights.
There are some amazing organizations out there trying to correct this, including us. Empowering women in all their needs only furthers strengthening our movement. As important as it is to focus on abortion rights what is really necessary is a more holistic view of changing the world/women- reproductive justice. Adjusting all of a woman's needs, not just her immediate need/want of an abortion.
* *cough*despite the fact that they had coca cola products, an anti-union (allegedly murdering union organizers in columbia) company whose list of other reasons to boycott are as long as my arm*cough* (But I think this may have been there because of the campus we were on, not them)
The other young women and men there were amazing and a well needed reminder of the privilege and resources inherent in organizing in a major urban city. Sometimes I get so frustrated with the lack of support available to organizers and leaders- then I have to remind myself with how much less much of the rest of the midwest (and world) have to go on.
One of the workshops I think I got the most out of was the "Understanding the Opposition". Not just for the amazing break down of the presenter's well-researched book, but for the beginning of a formulation of a response as to why we at CAF do the leadership group. As a young biracial woman who grew up poor, I know that having the right to an abortion is just one of the many rights needed- and hard to access- for the population we serve. This is the feminist movement's ultimate flaw: it is being organized, by and large, by middle aged, middle to upper class, white and/or assimilated women. I am proud and in awe of the women that have come before me in the feminist movement, and those that are organizing now, but there is a need for leadership change.
The problem is, the opposition, the anti-choice movement, understood this almost from the get-go and exploited this weakness. They have been rallying people that mainstream feminists have been ignoring: young women, women of color, women with disabilities, poor women, single mothers... And when there's no else who seems to try to be helping, the anti-choice's lies and justifications seem comforting, right and sensible. After all, everything is easier in black and white, especially when one side is offering you diapers and the other side is theorizing about rights.
There are some amazing organizations out there trying to correct this, including us. Empowering women in all their needs only furthers strengthening our movement. As important as it is to focus on abortion rights what is really necessary is a more holistic view of changing the world/women- reproductive justice. Adjusting all of a woman's needs, not just her immediate need/want of an abortion.
* *cough*despite the fact that they had coca cola products, an anti-union (allegedly murdering union organizers in columbia) company whose list of other reasons to boycott are as long as my arm*cough* (But I think this may have been there because of the campus we were on, not them)
Friday, April 25, 2008
We're at the table,.... LITERALLY!
Whoever said that abortion was a white woman's issue lied. Every time I step into a room where concrete decisions about abortion and reproductive rights are made, faces like mine are scarce. This lets me know that the people making decisions about "our" bodies don't have "our" opinions. The Chicago Abortion Fund, through the leadership group, has afforded me a ticket to most of these meetings that average black woman can't walk into. When I'm sitting at the table with executive directors, and coordinator, my first thought is..."WOW", I'm the only person here under 30. My next thought is, "Where are all the black people"? "Did they not get the memo"? Reproductive Justice is a movement, and if people/women of color are not at the table, incorporating the voices of black youth, then we're not moving forward with the movement. So I understand greatly the impact of me being present,... I gotta represent. Then later, go back and present this info to as many woman as I can, who may never be at the meetings. My face being at the table is proof that these issues are universal. When I enter the room I'm sure they wonder who I am and who I came with, but after I speak, they are quickly impressed(which is no validation to me). I have made it a priority within the last year to be a leader, which means that I can't be afraid to go to unfamiliar places, and I can't be afraid to shine. So I'm highly educating myself to do just that.
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