Week 6

A story I was linked to about the "controversial" nature of having employers cover birth control through insurance (even though it was legal during the Bush administration). There does appear to be a great deal of misinformation intentional keeping people in the dark about what is happening with healthcare in America. Patriarchy, according to bell hooks, is kept strong by the ignorance of the people involved. Gender discrimination in the case of birth control, because it is only a concern for women, seems especially vile. To reinforce the idea that women are somehow subject to status by rules created by men in power for the purpose of subjugation. It's a bit insulting to be a woman and be told that your choices have to be made for you because you don't know whats best for yourself.

Week One

I'm pretty excited to take part in volunteer work with Planned Parenthood of the Great Northwest. We met recently for the mandatory training, and I heard about the One Billion Rising rally against domestic violence against women. It's challenging to reconsider things I never noticed or took for granted. There is a lot to be said about the unjust ways that are accepted as normal or casual when it comes to these gender issues. Being honest with myself about these issues for the first time was eye opening. I came to feel that my lack of consideration has made me complicit. I'd say the complicity ended after my first meeting.