Inspired by the backlash over the brief attempt by Susan G. Komen for the Cure to cut funding for Planned Parenthood, a group of senators Wednesday is launching a bid to organize 1 million people in support of women’s rights.
Led by Sens. Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.) and Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), seven Democratic senators and the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee are appealing to backers on all of their websites to sign on to “One Million Strong For Women” in hopes of harnessing the energy displayed in the backlash against Komen.
If you expect me to stand up and clap, or slap you on the back for this, Democratic senators, you have come to wrong place.
Because my initial reaction is: “Ok…BUT WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN?”
Does it seriously takes GOP threatening birth control and Komen denying breast cancer screenings for SERIOUS talk about reproductive rights?
The erosion of those rights has been constant and consistent for months and months and months now.
The attention from politicians is always good (I think, maybe) but it shouldn’t have to get SO extreme for them to step up for 50% of the population.
The idea that senators have JUST created Women’s* Rights Campaign makes me feel like I have been screaming alone in a soundproof room. We - you, me, feminists, womanists, reproductive rights advocates - have been angry and vocal for a LONG time now.
Also, I really wanna believe that Democratic congressmen are going to fight really hard for my reproductive rights. I really, truly, honestly do. The blame for the fact that I am skeptical about that commitment is on them.
[*NB: Of course, the issues that the Women’s Rights Campaign will target affect more than just people who identify as ‘women.’ Let’s not forget that in this discussion.]
That was kind of my reaction too. And if they are standing up for uteruses while trying to steer clear of “icky” subjects like free BC and right to legal and safe abortions (as politicians so often do), they can GTFO. I love both of the women who started this, but they need to get their asses in gear because they’re showing up to the game about 3.5 years too late.
Komen certainly allows them to steer this conversation away from the assault on access to abortion care. I hadn’t even thought of that.
We don’t need a pacifier, we need accessible abortion, birth control, education, healthcare, etc.
(Source: keepyourbsoutofmyuterus, via keepyourbsoutofmyuterus)
