So recently I've been active with our local Planned Parenthood. I've felt the need to become an activist for quite some time. I knew that being a feminist was more than just spewing rhetoric on the evils of patriarchy. It's about making a difference and fighting patriarchy on the front line. But as I become more experienced with activism, I've learned that it's so much more than just fighting the good fight. Activism yields a certain quality of life.
Making new friends
I met some interesting people through activism. And I'm not using interesting in a derogatory sense. These people are truly interesting with a fascinating past. I've met a woman who worked at an abortion clinic, and a form NOW MO Chapter President. I've met a woman whose passion for feminism was only matched with her passion for Coca-Cola. And that's only to name a few! As I talked with these women and listened to their stories, I couldn't help but admire them. I felt the urge to capture their image on paper through writing so that they can be admired as well. It's a privilege to have met and talked with these women, and I hope to do so again!
Making a Difference
My ENG 500 professor always encourages me when I tell her my ideas. "Good job! Keep fighting the good fight!" she'll say as we end our conversation. I'd stammer a bit and finally thank her and mention that I will. I didn't know what to say. I didn't think I needed a pat on the back for my efforts. I was just doing what I had to do, right? What kind of feminist would I be if I didn't practiced what I preached? The goals of Planned Parenthood were just too abstract to me. Petitioning, visibility, lobbying; this was all for the organization, nothing more. So of course I had no problem talking about my experiences at the Capitol at work this morning. I talked to a woman next to me while my student worked earnestly on her paper. Finally, after much diatribe of yesterday's events, she asked me "So what exactly did you do?" Taken aback, I answered,"Well I lobbied." "You mean against those people with the signs who give you a hard time?" she questioned further. "No," I said. "I mean with our representatives. Like our legislators." A look of enlightenment swept her face and turned into repressed emotion. "Thank you," she said. I stuttered for moment and mumbled a thanks to her as I kept myself from being overwhelmed.
Now I understand activism. I'm not speaking for myself. I'm speaking for women. I spoke for her. I thank places like Planned Parenthood and NARAL and Faith Aloud who go through the trouble of setting up goals and organizing events so that volunteer efforts are more effective. I thank community organizers who are underpaid yet do their job anyway. And I thank everyone who volunteers and accomplish the goals set out by the groups and the organizers. Experiences with activism have become important to my life, and you can bet I'll be doing more of it!
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Please do not presume to speak for all women, or for all activists. They are pretty diverse groups, including people with all sorts of different experiences and beliefs. What you're doing is great, but your tone makes me very uncomfortable... speaking for large groups of people is bound to efface difference amongst those groups, and ultimately harm some of those you think you are speaking for.
You know, your comment reminds me why I stopped posting on this site. Your statement is very presumptuous. I did not add the qualifier "all" in front of women or activist. As the OP, I'll admit I was very hasty in posting it and didn't evaluate the proper context. I'll admit my title should've been "What Activism Means to Me" and also the nature to my lobbying. But since I cannot edit the post, I'll put it down here.
I was lobbying for Planned Parenthood's Prevention First Act. An act that would ultimately protect women, give women better access to birth control, and put comprehensive sex education into our schools. I was also lobbying against the abortions coercion bill, which does nothing but limit women's access to abortion and make it easier for physicians who provide or even suggest abortion to be arrested.
With this in mind, do you still think I'm not speaking for women?
I think you're doing a wonderful thing for women in America, but that's quite different from speaking for women in general. Having experienced the kind of rigid denial of certain groups within many forms of activism, I'm wary of anyone who claims to speak for people beyond the community of individuals they know personally. Would every staunchly anti-abortion advocate feel you were speaking for her? What about every person who has felt excluded or alienated from particular activist groups because of their identity or beliefs?
I'm sorry if my first comment came across rather harsh, I'm not really familiar with this community (just started reading it a short while ago), I just get upset when people claim to speak for an entire group that constitutes half of the world's population... it goes along with a very old tradition amongst feminist activists to silence women with experiences and voices that don't quite fit their agenda. Of course I don't mean to suggest you're doing that, but it's very problematic rhetoric to use.
Thanks for clearing that up and I accept your apology. I understand your concern, I guess I should add one more qualifying statement in that I'm speaking for women who are in need of the services Planned Parenthood provides. They include low-income women and women of color. But I still stand by that I didn't add the qualifier "all" in my post. I did this on purpose, since as you say, I can't speak for *all* women. I was hoping that the meaning would come across as women who identify with this cause or are directly influenced by these decisions. But judging by your remarks I guess this means I failed.
We here at Faith Aloud appreciate the work you do as an activist as much as you appreciate us organizing things! Thanks for attending lobby day. Your dedication to the cause is part of why we continue to do our jobs and continue to enjoy them. MUCH LOVE
THE FAITH ALOUD STAFF