Friday, January 22, 2010


NARAL was hosting a Blog for Choice Day on the anniversary of Roe v. Wade and so I decided to join in. Below is a section of the email with info.

"Tomorrow, on the anniversary of Roe v. Wade, I would like to invite you to share your feeling about being pro-choice, and what "Trust Women" means to you.
Roe's anniversary is about so much more than a court decision -- it's a deeply personal and political subject. For example, Dr. George Tiller's murder last May was a stark reminder of the danger abortion providers face each and every day. I read thousands of comments of outrage and support for Dr. Tiller's family on our blog, and I saw how our activists came together in the face of tragedy.
In honor of Dr. Tiller, who often wore a button that simply read, "Trust Women," we want pro-choice people like you to share your thoughts about what "Trust Women" means to you on your Facebook or MySpace page, blog, web site, or Twitter page. "

-NARAL
In some ways I would like to think that 'trust people' would be just as good of a statement as I think reproductive rights given to women, also have a positive impact on men but then I would be ignoring the obvious bias that still exists towards women in our society. Though it's spoken of less often and (generally) less openly the issue of reproductive rights really brings displays of this mindset to the surface. I know this example is used often but, the mere fact that Viagra (and other male enhancement drugs) is covered more often (my more states and insurance plans) than birth control for women, is a blatant manifestation of the value decision makers have placed on women's rights (and health) in this area. This is insane to me and is such an clear example of the bias we have allowed to exist in our society. As much as woman have done and as far as they have come there is still a stronger group of more powerful men (and also disturbingly sometimes women) using their influence to keep women below them.
To me 'trust women' means so many things - trust women to know what is best for their bodies (just as we trust men in the same way), trust women enough to stay out of their personal issues, trust women and stop trying to control them using dogmatic and asinine policies, trust women enough to give them an equal place in society (with all things, not just reproductive health) and we as woman should trust each other enough to know that we deserve all these things.

1 comment:

Mark Prime said...

I know this example is used often but, the mere fact that Viagra (and other male enhancement drugs) is covered more often (my more states and insurance plans) than birth control for women, is a blatant manifestation of the value decision makers have placed on women's rights (and health) in this area.

Never a truer sentence has been uttered.