Veronica Aveis

Veronica Aveis is Political Director of Planned Parenthood NYC Votes, and a board member of LaunchProgress PAC, and organization that invests in people, not campaigns, because we want the people to direct our politics.

Posts Written by Veronica
By Veronica Aveis • 13 years ago

a woman needs a Palin like…

Can we all agree that the controversy over whether Sarah Palin is a feminist or not is ridiculous? Let me tip my cards so to speak, but I say no. Like the movement that brought you “President Obama is not a U.S. Citizen,” the debate itself is a non-issue. Words have meanings. In a world of catch-phrase diplomacy, this applies to Democrats and Republicans alike (though the GOP remains unparalleled in doublespeak according to the MLA). Regardless to how annoying the rhetoric of reclamation can be, one cannot “reclaim” a term that applies to a philosophy. Therefore it’s not, “if Palin’s a ‘feminist,’ I can call myself a mermaid, but that doesn’t help me breathe underwater…” but rather, “I can ...

Can we all agree that the controversy over whether Sarah Palin is a feminist or not is ridiculous? Let me tip my cards so to speak, but I say no. Like the movement that brought you “President ...
By Veronica Aveis • 14 years ago

Reclaiming “slut” ?

A close friend and I recently a had an argument, because I said I find the word slut offensive. She said she’s reclaimed it, citing examples like “dyke” and “queer.” To me, those words are implicit in identity politics, and while they can and have been used offensively, they can be used other than to imply judgment of activity. Even using the word slut in a sex positive way, as my friend argues, implies an either/or dichotomy that deeply offends me. Her definition is, “It’s about a person who chooses to have multiple partners and exist in non-monogamous relationships.” This seems to ignore all other types of sexuality, and reinforce the concepts of promiscuity vs. purity. It forces women into ...

A close friend and I recently a had an argument, because I said I find the word slut offensive. She said she’s reclaimed it, citing examples like “dyke” and “queer.” To me, those words are implicit in ...