Ed has an interesting post about the lack of coverage of the March for Women’s Lives that took place last Sunday in Washington. My friend Vicki went and has posted several things on her experience there. The news coverage was pretty lame. The NYT had a few small articles, but I did not notice much more. That is pretty sad considering at least 800,000 marched, though they report a million people as well. But I think its also indicative of the current administration. They just don’t care (I am not saying anything new here). Bush said when all the war protests were going on that they would in no way make him rethink his decision.
This whole topic has brought up two issues for me. The first is Bush’s obvious lack of respect for the country that he won’t even listen to anyone else. Yes, he has his advisors, but his vision is so singleminded. What kind of person does not reflect on their decisions and listen to other’s output? When I go say, buy a new car, I talk to people, usually my dad who has more knowlede than I do about this stuff. And maybe other people I know who have bought cars so I can learn from their experience and make my experience the best. Well, not Bush.
My second thought is about feminism in the 90s and 00s (what the hell do we call this decade?). I am just wondering who our role models are now. Who are the big feminist leaders? Hillary Clinton could be one I suppose. She is a strong independent woman and in a position of power. Condoleeze Rice? Uhm….thanks, but no thanks. She is powerful and works hard, but c’mon. She’s Bush’s second wife for christsakes. What about people my age (that’s late 20s for those who don’t know) or younger? The Olson twins? They make a buttload of money. I can think of lots of movie stars. But none of them are exactly leaders for women everywhere. I did not hear of any “stars” attending, so maybe that is why no one reported on the march? But I would be skeptical of any star that promotes a cause anyway. Its really only a few stars whose motives I trust. I trust that Martin Sheen really does want to get rid of nuclear reactors and is not out to further his career by getting arrested a bunch. But back to the topic at hand.
Which brings me to another thought: what’s the deal with women’s rights anyways? Is it just me or are we losing ground these days? And I am not even referring strictly to our reproductive rights. We know those are being chipped away. They are not making it a secret. I am talking about all the progress that we seemed to be making decade ago. Women getting corporate jobs that were not just being secretaries. Women getting equal pay. Women no longer being relegated to giving birth and baking. Yes, women are still out there working and struggling, but I do not see many women in Congress as I do not see many women CEOs or other “high” positions. I am not sure what I am really saying here. It just seems to me that our progress has sort of halted and I do not know why.
As for the March on Sunday, I am so happy it took place and amazed that so many people showed up. Its nice to know that so many people agree that a woman’s body is her own. They may not support abortion, but they support a woman’s choice. That’s what I care about. I deserve the choice. No, not deserve, it is my right.
Okay, this is me stepping off my soapbox to go eat cake for Meg’s birthday.