Red Headed Femme

I just wanted to clarify a comment I made in my last post. This poorly-worded comment may have given the impression that I think the feminist movement is responsible for its own backlash, and I don't think that at all. The people instigating the backlash (mainly men in power, aided by the mass media) are responsible for it. The "splintering" I referred to is, I think, better written as "apathy," which can be expressed towards many different ideas, not just feminism. I think many people nowadays, whether because of concerns about the economy, global warming, etc., or general disgust with the state of this country, don't seem as inclined (or don't have the energy) to stand up as a group and fight like they used to. This is sad and worrisome, but feminism and those who believe in it certainly aren't responsible.

I've never been much for celebrating Thanksgiving, partly because I don't like turkey all that much and mostly because I'm not going to spend three or four hours slaving over the stove for any reason. If it's not microwavable, I don't eat it.

That being said, I was ruminating earlier and came up with a few reasons to be thankful. This will probably sound hokey, but I figured today was a good day for reflection.

1. I'm thankful I live in a country and society that allows me the freedom to worship as I choose, without worrying about persecution or getting shot because of what I believe.

2. I'm also thankful that if I do or say something stupid in the name of my religion and God, people in this society will call me on it.

3. I'm thankful I live in the time of the Internet, and I don't have to depend on the mainstream media (aka the Old White Boys' Network) and its record of ignoring news of interest to women and minorities.

4. I'm thankful I live in a country where economic independence for women is pretty much taken for granted, and I don't have to depend on a man to survive.

5. I'm grateful I live in a time and place where science has made birth control readily available, and I don't have to be a prisoner to my own uterus. This article is a bit biased, which is natural considering its source, but the relevant information is found close to the bottom:

This strategy was made clear as long ago as 1991 in a Utah abortion case (Jane L. v. Bangerter) launched by the American Civil Liberties Union Reproductive Freedom Project. Some of the same attorneys now pushing the "forced pregnancy" language at the UN argued that case. The plaintiff asserted that any pregnancy that cannot be terminated is a "forced pregnancy" and that it is irrelevant whether the pregnancy results from rape or consensual sex. Moreover, the plaintiff argued that the purpose of restrictions on abortion is to force continued pregnancy on women, and that this sort of "forced pregnancy" is a kind of slavery.

Spot-on. The only thing I can add: a kind of slavery my little chiny aster. Consent to sex--with all the methods available now to prevent conception--does not mean consent to pregnancy. In this day and age, those are two separate issues. Since, obviously, women are the only ones who can get pregnant, denying choices amounts to discrimination against and the enslavement of half the human race.

6. I'm very thankful my mother raised me to be an independent person, and drilled into my head never to depend on anyone (especially a man) for my happiness. She taught me that I am not the least bit diminished if I don't have a man. I only wish education of this sort could be available for every little girl in the world.