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While the March for Women’s lives generated some media coverage this week (though not nearly enough—punks!), what Feministing found interesting were several stories preceding the March that supposedly focused on young women’s participation in the event.
In a 4/24/04 Washington Post article, “For Abortion Rights, a Changing of the Guard,” young women involved with the March are shown to be middle-of-the-road morons who are trying to separate themselves from the “traditional” feminist movement.
The article quotes a Vassar woman who identifies as “very pro-choice,” but believes in restricting in late-term abortion, as well as a 22 year-old woman who thinks parental-notification requirements are a necessity. (Though she admits she would have been pissed to have to tell her parents when she had her abortions.)
FYI, most minors do tell their parents. And I really love how this chick doesn’t even consider incest as maybe throwing a wrench in her logic. Ugh.
Perhaps my favorite mini-profile in the article though, is that of 24 year-old Grayson Crosby, named one of the top 30 abortion rights advocates under 30 by Choice USA:
Throughout her four years at the University of Florida she heard conversations that convinced her of something previous generations didn’t talk about: Human beings are hard-wired to create life and instinctively repulsed by the idea of destroying it, even when that’s the right thing to do.
I’m sorry, but you’ve got to be fucking kidding me. This chick is a top abortion rights advocate? If that’s really the case, we’re in some serious trouble.
While Washington Post writer Laura Sessions Stepp is right on to point out that “while veteran activists like Eleanor Smeal and Gloria Steinem host a $250-per-person cocktail reception…(while) the younger ones will be in conference rooms at the Omni Shoreman,” and that there’s a lack of space for younger voices, her implication that these several women somehow represent young feminism is appalling.
Stepp also writes:
Another characteristic of this generation, which some young feminists believe to be crucial to their long-term success, is the ease with which young women and young men relate to each other. Increasingly, women say men should be notified when their girlfriends or wives get pregnant and consulted about the decision to proceed with the birth or abort—a concept of inclusion anathema to earlier activists.
Oh, I get it; these new feminists like men. Cause everyone knows that old feminists think they have cooties. And excuse me, but where are Stepp’s stats on this “women think men should be notified” crap? So if you’re a minor you have to tell your parents, and if you’re an adult, you’re still not responsible enough to make your own decisions? Again, ugh.
A 4/24/04 piece in The New York Times is a bit better, focusing on the diversity in leadership among young feminists. However, like the Washington Post article, it makes younger women look like political underperformers. Kate Michelman, president of NARAL Pro-choice American, says in the piece that young women “assume rights,” and “don’t feel a sense of urgency.” Well, this may be true for some, but I do believe I saw a shit-load of young faces on Sunday.
The idea that young women are complacent or too moderate on the issues is insulting. The public just doesn’t want to see radical young women. How much coverage have the Riot Grrrls gotten lately? It makes everyone feel a lot safer if the new crop of feminists are media- and men-friendly.
What young feminists are really doing is being as inclusive as possible, broadening the definition of feminism to include people of all backgrounds and varied beliefs. But we are most certainly not copping out on core principles to get there, no matter what the media's pre-conceived notions of "old" and "new" feminism are.
As Jessica put it in a recent post, "one million people on your front lawn telling you to go fuck yourself" is the not-so-subtle message that marchers brought to President George Bush this past Sunday.
We really didn't expect much reaction from the President or his people on the March for Women's Lives. (at least publicly) To pretend it didn't happen seemed more of his thang.
Yet, as I'm sure everyone knows by now, presidential advisor Karen Hughes decided to put her two cents in on CNN's Late Edition with Wolf on Sunday--right around the same time that the march was forming.
She essentially said that the pro-choice marchers that day--and any other reproductive rights advocate--hold the same values as terrorists in their lack of respect and regard for human life.
This is how it went down:
BLITZER: There is a clear difference when it comes to abortion rights between the president and his Democratic challenger, John Kerry. In your opinion, Karen, how big of an issue will this abortion rights issue be in this campaign?
HUGHES: Well, Wolf, it's always an issue. And I frankly think it's changing somewhat. I think after September 11th the American people are valuing life more and realizing that we need policies to value the dignity and worth of every life.
And President Bush has worked to say, let's be reasonable, let's work to value life, let's try to reduce the number of abortions, let's increase adoptions.
And I think those are the kind of policies that the American people can support, particularly at a time when we're facing an enemy, and really the fundamental difference between us and the terror network we fight is that we value every life. It's the founding conviction of our country, that we're endowed by our creator with certain unalienable rights, the right to life and liberty and the pursuit of happiness.
Unfortunately our enemies in the terror network, as we're seeing repeatedly in the headlines these days, don't value any life, not even the innocent and not even their own.
Whaaa? Yes you're right Karen, we terrorists and feminists go hand in hand! Our names even rhyme a little!
Hughes' statement has not been without repercussions; Planned Parenthood President Gloria Feldt and Feminist Majority President Eleanor Smeal have made official statements demanding an apology for the offensive allegation from Hughes, asserting that the comments were not only inappropriate, but also completely heinous.
Several Democratic members of Congress have also written a letter to the President calling for an apology from Hughes.
Hughes responded that the outcry over her comments were "gross distortions" of her remarks in the interview. Whatever you say, darlin!
What I really don't understand is how the administration can be so blatantly horrid to--once again--manipulate 9/11 for their own interests and personal beliefs. Soon enough, every non-right wing establishment and thought will be labeled as terrorist.
Shortly after 9/11, President Bush said that it is up to everyone to decide who is with us and who is against us. And if you're not with "us," you are with the terrorists. Looks like what's meant by "us" has narrowed just a bit, don't you think?
Check out Hannah's 4/28 post for Jon Stewart's awesome response to all of this nonsense...
Uh oh ladies. An article in the Chicago Tribune details increased spending among women in their teens and twenties on beauty products. While putting your best foot forward is always a good thing, it's not a great idea when it comes at the expense of your savings account.
It turns out that we are spending more than twice as much today on waxing, tanning and lipstick as our moms did in the 60’s.
Companies who have been documenting our spending have found that we tend to [over]pay for our beauty regimens in cash and then charge necessities like groceries and gas. As a result, money that should be going into a savings account is spent paying off a credit card balance.
The article urges young female consumers to set goals (like paying off your credit card, or saving $50 a month), try DIY services (L'Oreal Jet Set works great for me) and spend on quality (salon hair color lasts a lot longer than the stuff in the box).
Oh yeah, and pay your bills online. Women in their 20s rack up a huge amount of debt on late fees alone.
The bottom line: you don't have to abandon your beauty regimen -- just make sure you spend as much time researching savings & investment options as you do at the salon.
If you don’t already know about Sarah Jones, you’re missing out. A fellow Bryn Mawrtyr, she’s been on the New York urban poetry scene for years (she won the Nuyorican Grand Slam championship in 1997) and has championed the young feminist cause throughout.
It’s been a few years, and she’s at it again with her new, one woman play, Bridge & Tunnel. The show is produced by Meryl Streep, another badass feminista, and has opened to incredible reviews. If you’re in the New York area, check it out. If not, here are some Jones gems to tide you over.
The recent Washington Post articles examining the alleged rape of a 15 year-old girl at Mount Hebron High School in Maryland have been remiss in their handling of the girl's recent recantation.
The girl had previously accused three boys of forcing her into a bathroom, where one held her down and the other raped her. The third boy allegedly watched out for anyone at the bathroom door.
The first 4/17/04 article noted that a "physical examination of the girl at Howard County General Hospital showed that her body had signs of trauma consistent with forcible rape."
Later stories implied that the girl's story was dubious--despite the above evidence.
In a 4/21/04 piece, "Rape Probe Flawed, Lawyers Say," the Post quoted one of the attackers' lawyers, Lawrence B. Rosenberg:
Rosenberg suggested that police were eager to make arrests "because of where it happened, inside the school. Maybe it's sexy to charge right away. . . . It was a juicy story."
The rape of a high school freshman is sexy and juicy? How nice.
The 4/23/04 article makes it seem like the accuser got caught in a lie:
...several students have told police that the girl did not appear upset when she emerged from the restroom..."She's essentially backed off her original complaint completely," (State's Attorney Timothy) McCrone said. "At some point she might have realized that things might have gotten out of control and had a change of heart."
Or maybe she was terrified about the media coverage and the possibility of being vilified in court? There are a myriad of reasons rape victims recant their stories--it is not a direct indicator that they are lying.
It's time that the media took a more in-depth look at the intricacies and politics of sexual assault; but I guess at the end of the day it's just "sexier" to think that a 15 year-old girl would have consensual sex with three boys in a school bathroom.
The girl's mother has stood by her daughter's story.
According to a study by Penn State highlighted in an Associated Press article, young women who get distracted easily may just be iron-deficient.
It's been known that anemia can make you tired and distracted, but the study--which looked at women ages 18 to 35--reveals that even a less severe iron-deficiency can have an effect on concentration and mood.
Apparently 20 percent of the women in the study were either iron-deficient or anemic. Feministing finds the explanation for this a little disconcerting:
Lisa Ritchie, director of the dietetics program at Harding University in Searcy, Ark. says that, "Taking a look at the typical college student, they may be financially strapped, so buying a lot of iron-rich foods may not be their top priority, especially for females." (emphasis added)
What exactly does this mean? We only eat salads? I guess those Penn State girls need to have a steak every now and then. Jeez.
then you should go again on May 8th! Visions in Feminism, a conference at the University of Maryland at College Park, will be a great way to spend Mother's Day weekend.
Their workshops include Our Bobbins, Ourselves: The Craft Revolution, Feminist Movements in the Arab World, and 99 Problems and a Bitch Ain't One: Hip Hop and Feminism/Womanism.
The report also covers the trend of government websites providing misleading health information--like the myth that there's a link between breast cancer and abortion.
NCRW President Linda Basch said, “MISSING is a wake up call to the nation that a nonpartisan legacy of government is being destroyed. Decisions to distort or withhold information have a cumulative negative effect for women and girls that is serious and detrimental and must not be left unchecked. Concerned citizens must make their voices heard through communicating to officials and elected representatives the crucial need for unbiased, objective information.”
A NY Times article reports today that women-owned businesses are growing at double the rate of other small businesses.
According to a study by the Center for Women's Business Research, companies owned by women have $2.46 trillion in sales and over 19 million employees nationwide.
Good job ladies; our plan for world-wide domination is working. Now if we could just get that wage gap taken care of...
The Harlem Club is a private New York social society, created by Thomas Lopez-Pierre, for African-American and Hispanic professionals. When the idea was originally conceived, the club was to allow only male members. Men could become charter members for $5,000; for $2,500 they could become general members. But, as Day reports, "this club did not want just any moneyed men. Rap stars, Hollywood glitterati and professional athletes - what Mr. Lopez-Pierre labels the 'ghetto-fabulous crowd' - would not be welcome.” And, in the beginning, women could only join the Harlem Club as associate members if they were “35 or younger, unmarried, childless, college educated and willing to submit a head-to-toe photograph.”
When asked in a recent interview about the criterion for entry, Mr. Lopez-Pierre stated:
“Men have to be professional, preferably college educated. The ideal candidate, who is not college educated, can own car dealerships or maybe a McDonalds or be a very successful entrepreneur who has a proven track record of success. Maybe a recent college graduate, who while does not have anything in terms of accomplishments except for academic success based on his education, should have a bright future…that and $3,500 a year. Women have to be 21 to 39 years of age, college educated, single with no kids, and beautiful. She cannot be overweight in any way. Weight is a big issue. If she is too big, she will not be accepted. There is no height requirement.”
Intense criticism drove the Club to compromise a bit. Now, women who do not meet the physical requirements to become associate members can pay to become general members. The associate women are still, according to the website, required to be “beautiful women who are in great physical shape.”
Yee hah.
Is this for real? Do we seriously live in a world where people think this is acceptable? Not only is it wildly classist and segregating, but it’s insanely sexist and degrading.
Write these people an email and give them a piece of your mind. HarlemClubNYC@aol.com.
As Alix Olson energized Sunday’s crowd in DC with her vision of Cunt Cuntry I found myself reflecting on the state of young feminist movement and our role in this cuntry.
Though excited by the large number of young women who attended the March on Sunday, I was disappointed by our lack of presence onstage. While it was OUR voices that filled the streets with chants, OUR voices were largely marginalized on the microphone.
As I listened to the messages of the mostly middle-aged speakers, I felt that a young feminist perspective and message was largely missing. Instead of inviting young women into the ranks of feminist movement—instead of challenging us to go out and change the world--young feminists were given the simple mandate to “GO HOME AND VOTE.”
As a young feminist, I feel that we have much more to offer the political future of this country than [just] a ballot.
I didn’t vote in 2000. I made the decision not to vote because I did not want to support a system of negative freedom; voting for the lesser of two evils didn't seem like electoral democracy.
And while I still feel largely alienated by electoral politics, four years later I am making a different decision. Howard Zinn aptly described my feelings towards this year’s election in an interview with Punk Planet: “For 30 seconds, you swallow your pride. But before and after the voting booth you are a relentless critic of our policy—whether it’s the Republicans or Democrats who urge it.”
While I refuse to be a “Woman for Kerry”, this year I will be a “Feminist Activist Against Bush.” So ladies, I encourage you to go out and vote, but don’t be fooled. You have a much larger contribution to make to feminist movement. As young feminists we must plan conferences, write articles, organize benefits, volunteer and protest. We must make our voices heard.
In her Riot Grrrl Manifesto Kathleen Hanna wrote, “I believe with my wholeheartmindbody that girls constitute a revolutionary soul force that can, and will change the world for real.” I believe we will too; but only by being active both inside AND outside the voting booth.
Wow. No seriously, wow! Yesterday's March for Women's Lives drew an amazing crowd of women and men from all over the country.
March organizers are putting the number of people attending at over a million, which if you were there doesn't seem unreasonable at all.
Here's the March coverage so far:
The New York Times' piece is pretty thorough, though I'd argue the headline "Hundreds of Thousands March for Abortion Rights" is pretty limiting--come on now, this was about so much more than abortion.
USA Today's coverage does a good job in describing anti-choice contingent’s mindset: "A small number of opponents to abortion rights lined Pennsylvania Avenue during the march...Jordan Gehrke, 22, of Carson City, Mich., taunted marchers...'It's a good thing you didn't kill her,' he screamed at a marcher carrying a small child." Very nice.
My favorite anti-choicers were the dudes telling me I'm going to hell and carrying a "Rebellious Jezebels" sign. Is it just me, or is that a great name for a band?
Ms. Musings has great coverage of the whole weekend. Christine--how tired are you right now? Wow!
Feminist Majority has a photo gallery, though we personally dig the Feministing pics below...
As my Feministing partners join the million women gathered for the March for Women’s Lives today, I am in New York thinking about the freedoms for which they are demonstrating. I’m also thinking about John Kerry’s defense of women’s rights in the face of the Vatican’s decree that politicians who support abortion rights should be denied Communion. According to the New York Times, Kerry says he is personally opposed to abortion, but supports a woman's right to choose and believes in the separation of church and state. At a recent rally, Kerry stated, “I believe that in the year 2004 we deserve a president who understands that a stronger America is where women's rights are just that: rights, not political weapons to be used by politicians of this nation.”
Kerry’s not perfect on all issues, but demonstrates ideals considerably more woman-friendly than the incumbent President. Then again, anything is better than an administration that champions the Partial Birth Abortion Ban Act and the introduction of women's medi
