Speaking of Slam Poetry.

Found this earlier today via a Facebook friend:

It's an incredibly powerful poem by Sonya Renee that articulates everything I think a lot better than I could ever say it. The most salient theme, to me at least, is how many people use the language of feminism when discussing legislation that is ultimately hurtful to women.


Rant sequence initiated: one of the most infuriating email conversations I've ever had was with Hannibal Lecter (see my previous post) about (what else?) abortion. With examples drawn from anecdotes and fake science, she tried to convince me that abortion in and of itself was anti-feminist. She argued that no woman should ever have to get an abortion since society should support women who become pregnant and because society doesn't, well that's anti-woman: "We are both pro-choice, [WinkyWanky]. I just don’t think a woman should ever have to CHOOSE abortion to begin with. She should have the resources so that it’s never necessary. That’s the feminist in me speaking." I completely agree that there should be services for women who become pregnant and want to have a child. But like Renee says, government (e.g. TANF) and community resources are lacking. But even if they weren't, some women just don't want to have children, so why should we make them? I hate that Hannibal Lecter co-opted the language of feminism and called herself pro-choice. Believing that a woman shouldn't have to choose abortion is not the same as believing that a woman is mature enough, knows her circumstances enough, and understands the medical risks of both childbirth and abortion enough to make her own decision. And that's anti-choicers', like Hannibal Lecter's, biggest mistake: it isn't about having to choose, it's about wanting to choose. Rant sequence complete.


It bothers me that there is a movement that takes feminist rhetoric as it's own while simultaneously lobbying for laws that treat women like children (i.e. laws that require a waiting period for abortion, so that women can make sure they're really really sure) in an effort to ultimately tell women if and when to have children. If they are going to co-opt feminism, then they should be keeping women front and center in the debate, not "marriage" or "divorce rates" or "society" or any other buzz words they throw around to justify the legislation they push for. And in keeping women front and center, they should realize women are autonomous agents that deserve the right to make their own choices.