Photo by "We Are Women" Project
Wednesday Wreading: Weekend | by Fay Weldon
Martha and Martin go with their kids to their cottage for the weekend. Martha prepares for the trip and gets the kids ready herself. She works outside the home and seems to do everything inside the home as well. The weekend isn’t really a vacation for Martha.
http://www.teachingenglish.org.uk/sites/teacheng/files/weekend_text_0.pdf
March 24, appears to be the death of the American Health Care Act (AHCA) by the Republican Party, commonly referred to as the GOP (Grand Old Party). Waving alast farewell, Trump and Paul Ryan condemn a sinking ship while rowing away from the victims trapped on board. This demonstration is an example of the core character flaws of this dangerous leader.
Trump, you are a leader of a country divided. Hence, I hope your followers can now begin to see you for the ineffectual demagogue that you are. Your negotiation skills are lacking; lacking to gain more than 40% of our Country’s support. And yet, you now want to watch as harm comes to your followers that are on a wounded Affordable Care Act (ACA). Lick your wounds and get back to the table. Stay off the golf course and in the White House where you must negotiate a fair and reasonable deal for all Americans. Be bipartisan and stop your discrimination of women.
Let’s not go backwards when it comes to women’s health.
What ACA covered: all types of birth control, and made it illegal for insurance companies to charge women more for pre-existing conditions (a practice called gender rating), and prevented denial of coverage for pregnancy, past domestic abuse, and sexual assault.
What is now NOT included in AHCA: access to contraception, prohibition of gender rating, and preventive services, like mammograms or pap smears.
AHCA would pause federal reimbursements for Planned Parenthood’s reproductive health, maternal health, and child health services. Do not mislead the public with false news regarding abortion services, because federal funds are already prohibited from being used for abortion.
Stay away from the “pregnancy tax” and do not erode the essential health benefits (EHBs). Our Country only prospers from healthy babies that will be our future. It is our future you are rowing away from Captain; stop being a dangerous leader.
#womeninspirechange
#inspirechange
#docslead
Wednesday Wreading: The Friday Everything Changed
Countless negativity is around us. So on Wednesdays, I would like to balance the scales and energize everyone to read up on history and stories written from a feminist POV.
For communities on the fringes, reckoning with inequality isn’t something new. Take time to expand your knowledge on the history of marginalization in the U.S., and what still needs to be done. There are countless books on racism, feminism, and misogyny that deserve attention — especially now.
Relax and enjoy a QUICK WREAD:
The Friday Everything Changed
|by Ann Hart
In Miss Ralston’s small-town classroom, the boys always carry water from a pump at the railway station to the school. Carrying the water is a status symbol and a break from the daily routine. One day one of the girls challenges this tradition.
http://moodyap.pbworks.com/f/everythingchanged.pdf
Then, get inspired to write and let others know in the community.
WREAD = “Wread” thus implies a merging of the acts of reading and writing.
In Nevada, on March 1, a profound Amendment passed the 36th state, the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA). The ERA is unfinished business granting the equal rights of women and men under our Constitution. Two more states remain with precedence for ratification. Terrifyingly, one of the scare tactics by the opposition reported that supporting the Equal Rights Amendment would make female genital mutilation/circumcision mainstream. Do you know what female mutilation is? Do you know why it happens? Does any sane person think this is a factual correlation? If so, we need to fight and fight now. But, no rational person believes this rhetoric, or that WE THE PEOPLE would elect a “pussy grabbing” president. Well, these are corrupt and heinous times.
First, female genital mutilation (FGM) is not required in Muslim law. It is an ancient cultural practice that existed before Islam, Christianity, and Judaism. There are four different types of mutilation. Visit the Daughters of Eve for further information. http://www.dofeve.org/types-of-fgm.html The reality was beyond the macabre. 50% of any population is female, and in 30 countries, they will be sexually mutilated.
The World Health Organization, WHO, discusses several key facts:
FGM is a violation of the human rights of girls and women. These actions have one directive, which is the aim of forever curbing women’s sexual pleasure. But sadly, there is another side. It is a common belief that it is forced on women by men. In fact, elderly women often do the most to perpetuate the custom. For example, African girls are not held down by men, but the elder women and some of them voluntarily partake in the ritual, regardless of the negative health consequences. FGM is illegal. Even if carried out by a healthcare professional, it is a form of gender-based violence, it is a human rights violation, and it is a form of child abuse.
In Indonesia, on a day when 268 children were mutilated, a grandma reports that there are other benefits when asked, “Oh yes,” she said, with a tinkling laugh. “My grandmother always said that circumcised women cook more delicious rice.”
I can’t imagine, the screaming, the pain, the torture all in the name of control, not religion, CONTROL. Women are caught in the power struggle between religion vs state vs identity. Focusing on 17 countries, UNFPA and UNICEF together lead the largest global program to accelerate the abandonment of female genital mutilation. So now we return to the Equal Rights Amendment that passed on March 1st. This battle has been in the works since 1923. So, shame on you, Victor Joecks of the LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL, for your alternative fact that giving women equal rights would make female genital mutilation legal. Violation of the human rights of girls, women, boys, and men are a right protected by the U.S. Constitution. That is atrocious to lie about the benefits of the ERA. Equality of rights under the law shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of sex.
Growing up, I used to watch The Bionic Woman, Wonder Woman, and I Dream of Jeannie. I loved watching these women; they were smart, beautiful, and always edgy. My favorite still remains Lindsay Wagner, as Jaime Sommers. Who doesn’t remember playing in the yard and jumping over obstacles while making those famous sounds of bionics or practicing the Wonder Woman twirl? As much as I loved Jeannie’s ability to grant wishes, there was an unnerving nature that never settled right with me every time she said, “Master.” Even though she was a genie, as a child, I knew there was something wrong with her position in the household. So I never played Jeannie. Instead, I was an undercover agent as either Jaime or Diana. Always to my mother’s dismay, I would return home with my hair horribly tousled. She could never quite understand that when you fought crime alongside the boys in the orange groves or playground, your hair would get messy and bones were broken because your bionic system was down.
After all this time, we still get messy. I could never have imagined that after a half century, women would still be grappling for the equality.
The rights to our body, again are up to a male majority to decide whether we are entitled to safe and legal abortions. Only since 1972 have all women be allowed to use effective birth control. Finally, 5 years ago, we were guaranteed universal access to methods of contraception, fertility control, sexual education, and maternal care. FIVE YEARS AGO.
Racial justice is a battle that has been going on since 1966, which is the struggle for equal opportunities for women of color in all areas including employment, education & health care.
In 2012, the Republican’s opposed the Violence Against Women Act of 1994’s reauthorization because it was to include same-sex couples and battered illegal immigrants. Domestic violence, sexual assault, sexual harassment, violence at abortion clinics, hate crimes across lines of gender, victimization of survivors of violence, and the violence of poverty should never be tolerated.
If violence and birth control are debatable, when will we ever reach equality in pay, job opportunities, social security, education, or political representation? These will remain elusive without a guarantee of equality in the U.S. Constitution.
“Well Mom, things are messy. I still have to get messy. But, this time the battleground is against the opposition’s views. Thank you for teaching me that women have no need for ‘Masters’ and making me strong even when my hair tousled.”
“Never trust anyone who says they do not see color.
This means to them, you are invisible.”
― Nayyirah Waheed
— Discussion with an 85-year-old retired maintenance supervisor —
As I walk into the exam room greeting my patient, I ask how he is. I rapidly realize this is not going to be my typical medical history update or examination. My patient is a formidable man, even into his 80s’, but possesses a soft, refined nature about him. He has been my patient for the last 8+ years, and politics has always been a talking point for us. “Oh, not good, not good. I’m scared”. He says shaking his head while sitting in my big exam chair. I sit down quietly ready to listen.
“This man is no good, and he is not going to change.” I smiled, agreed, and let him know it is still good to talk politics here in my office. “I remember what is was like when black and white people hated each other.” He says shaking his head again. So we talked. We talk about what is was like growing up as a young black man up North, then moving to the South with his family. We talked about the racism; that he thought people were on track to overcome it, but now Trump has ignited a set-back. We wandered through a discussion about Trump’s lacking nature to be a positive role model for children. His cyberbullying towards those speaking against him. His disdain for things he cannot have, such as actual facts: popular vote, poor inaugural attendance, post-elections protests, etc. We laughed that ignoring facts does not change them.
We talked throughout his treatment, and when we finished and said our goodbyes, he came full circle, “Oh, not good, not good” he trailed off shaking his head as he walked down the hall. He turned back with a deep smile and said, “Thank you, ma’am, see you in 2 months.” I smiled looking forward to our next chat.
“Prejudice is learned. What will you teach others through your actions and words?”
― DaShanne Stokes
One topic from three viewpoints.
You ask should we be concerned with transparency in this Administration?
I answer, what good will it do? Will it persuade another’s opinion? Is it to give a call to action or an appeal for the masses to unify strength? Do we feel we have a stronger connection with a person when they provide us with transparency? Do we gain a better sense of trust or safety? What good has come from transparency?
Now what happens when we lose transparency?
Do we feel that we’re in an unsafe environment? Are we’re being lied to or manipulated? Does it challenge our safety? Do we feel there is a hidden personal agenda with personal and financial goals attached? What bad comes from the lack of transparency?
History can give us many answers to these questions. We have seen many dictators and governments use a lack of transparency which has resulted in great harm of others, even genocide. This is Trump’s Administration is a false transparency. This Administration works toward concealing its intent as seen with failure to provide tax returns, fake facts, media manipulation, foreign transactions, voter fraud, Russian hacking, etc. Therefore, we have will never feel safe when a government has an agenda to propagate concealment. Fake transparency and corruption of information is the path this Administration is taking us.
by: Anonymous
This President does not want to protect us, but he wants to protect his own investments, such as, concealment through misdirection. Trump will never protect the rights of immigrants or refugees. He will never respect a female as his equal. He will discriminate people based on their place of birth and religion? His faulted and fragmented Cabinet can not protect us when they are embroiled with harassing other governments, other leaders, and it’s own United States citizens and residents.
Abraham Maslow, states that one of the basic human needs is the feeling of security. Only when we can feel secure are we able to improve or progress. If our government remains unstable, people are not able to feel secure. This Administration has no regard for our citizen’s most basic needs. This government has not supported the simple and fundamental needs of : financial security, physical health, and emotional reassurance.
Trump pledged to help us. But his first executive actions have hurt us by suspending FHA mortgage interest rate cuts and repealing the Affordable Healthcare Act. These actions directly affect us, the people he pledged to take care of. How can we feel safe?
Trump’s anti-immigration stance has placed people in fear due to his lack of transparency and planning. He is creating an unstable system where people feel threatened, feel a lack of job security, fear unjust deportation, and dismantling of their families.
by: Anonymous
He is quietly setting up borders within our country. Hiding his own personal motivations as he constructs deep borders between man and woman, between the rich and the poor, and borders that discriminate against individuals because of their faith or religion. Concealment with the sole purpose to disrupt our voice, silence the color of our skin, or abuse a gender. But he was not ready for use to push back against his attempts at dictatorship.
So, should we be concerned with transparency in this Administration? Yes, but this is what happens when our American values are at stake.
by: Anonymous
#womeninspirechange #womensmarch
** The post that inspired the idea of a social blog **
For the last 11 years, I have lived in a community that is welcoming and divisive. 10 years ago, I moved into the realm of hospitality at night and I was exposed to the darker side of people’s essence. I have been adamant and will remain steadfast in my lack of tolerance from those demanding servitude or subjugation. You know who you are, and this is not about you. For now is the time to counter deceitfulness and lies with facts that promote equal humanity.
This election has been the catalyst to talk about our country of hate. Donald J. Trump is morally repugnant and lacks the respect of the populous. It is time to ask why your neighbors, friends, colleagues, and adversaries voted for Trump; for he is a leader that exploits prejudice and ignorance.
Why did you do this?
With that said, we will continue to uphold equal humanity for it is in OUR nature.