Whether or not I eventually want children, I know that were I in that predicament today, I would exercise my right to choose. Due to a lot of health issues I had during puberty, I’ve had oodles of pregnancy scares, not bragging. Because of that I’m super pro-choice. A person’s right to choose what happens with their body is a fundamental inherent human right and that freedom is a cornerstone of feminist ideology. Additionally, I am also very anti-gun, or in other words, logical. I read a recent report that in many states it’s easier to get a gun than an abortion. My least favorite piece of misogyny this week is that the waiting period to get a gun is on average less than the waiting period to get an abortion.
The United States’ aversion to gun control really kills me. A waiting period to get a gun is a state requirement in only 11 states and the District of Columbia. But 26 states require a waiting period for women to get an abortion. (A period, you know, like the thing you’re probably freaking out about not having!) The waiting periods usually include counselling to try to convince or shame the women into changing their mind. It has nothing to do with the long lines to the super fun roller coaster.
Guns are like violent sticks of evil that ruin people’s lives… that don’t give you an orgasm! It’s crazy that there are more restrictions on abortions than guns, because gun violence is so prevalent in our culture right now. When was the last time abortion murdered a crowd of innocent people? Never, unless we’re talking quadruplets. (Just kidding, I don’t think life begins at conception. It begins at birth, or whenever the mad scientist shoots lightening into your sewn-together monster limbs.) Guns are a lot like a grandmother’s brassiere—just not helping.
I think I hate guns the way that a person who loves guns hates women’s rights. The fact that it’s harder to get a completely legal health procedure than a violent weapon is so ridiculous. It makes me feel like women are attempting to obtain procedures, birth control, and other necessary reproductive rights by struggling to get past an evil riddle bridge troll. “Answer me these questions three…” And then he asks the questions in Latin and the last one is just “Do you have a wiener? Well then why are you taking up space?” And it’s like um, that is two questions.
That has been my least favorite piece of misogyny this week. Tune in next week to find out if I can reverse the effects of this polyjuice potion in time to win the beauty pageant!
My least favorite piece of abortion related misogyny: Because I’m married I was told I need my husband’s written consent to have one. Didn’t matter I wasn’t ready for this to happen to MY body, physically or emotionally, or that it occurred because he told me he had a condom and, surprise, he didn’t! (he went through the motions but decided he didn’t really want to and we’re married, so it’s cool. It’s not cool. It’s never cool…) I was told I could be arrested if I tried. Didn’t find out until after the deadline that that was a total lie… I love my kid now, don’t get me wrong, but that is not how I wanted to bring a life into this world… I was told for nine months by everyone in my life system that I was wrong and selfish and I worry too much and it’ll come to me. It didn’t. It’s all shame and bias. I don’t understand it at all.
(Kind of ranted… hope that’s chill, Ms. Barbara :p)
As hard a choice as it is, I continue to support a womans choice to decide whether or not to terminate a pregnancy.
Years, years ago I went through this difficult choice with my German girlfriend at the time. And seeing how abortion was illegal in Germany (at least then?…) we had to trek to Holland for this catastrophe. I would bet she could still tell you to this day the exact date she went through this horror.
It was the right decision then, and I stand by it and her own choice.
But it sucked. I tried to comfort her afterwords in many small ways, but they always seemed to fall short…..
Anyway, I have a REAL hard time associating abortion and womens choice to the firearm debate.
And I ain’t no gun nut either, by a long shot.
You are vainly trying to tie on into the other, and as a rebuttal I can simply offer you Sarah Palin amongst many.
Babs, I’m sorry to say this, but for me personally, you have nothing to offer the reading public even on the subject of Misogyny.
That is harsh, I know, and I am sorry for that….
Different topic, another German girl I knew back when, she complained to Der Speigel (the German equivalant of Time) in a meeting with the design folks that covers of that German news magizine had no problem showing womans breasts on the cover, but failed to show male nudity whatsoever…. and the next week there was a cock on the cover — she took great pride in this small feat.
I kind of agree with frankieb here. Whereas I don’t think you have nothing to contribute to the topic, I think you’re writing up ’til now about misogyny has been over simplistic. I always like the intros, but it always ends up so weak and feeling without a point. I only say this because I truly am quite a fan of yours, having seen you perform in both Seattle and Portland, and am always in awe of how funny and sweet you are. I’ve seen the caliber of writing and thought you are capable of, and I don’t see it in this column of your’s.
I see you’re point here, but tell me why it matters. Make a compelling argument, don’t just try to be quippy. I agree with you whole heartedly, but there’s got to be a more interesting way to say what you’re saying…