Friday, January 22, 2010

Blog for Choice Day: What "Trust Women" Means to Me

Today is the 37th anniversary of Roe v. Wade. It's also the 5th annual Blog for Choice Day. Each year, NARAL Pro-Choice America poses a question for bloggers to respond to on January 22, Roe v. Wade's anniversary.

In honor of Dr. George Tiller, who often wore a button that read, "Trust Women," this year's question is:

What does Trust Women mean to you?


I'm a little late in the day with my post, and I've already read some great responses to this question, so what I have to say is brief.

"Trust Women" means understanding a woman's right to make decisions about her body. It means trusting that we can, and must, make our own decisions regarding our reproductive choices.

Trust a woman to know when she's ready to have a child. Trust a woman to decide if she's not ready for a child.

All women, regardless of class, income, religion, or color, should be able to make decisions about their own bodies. That's why I support Planned Parenthood (and Judy Blume).

It's simple: Women's rights are human rights. Trust women to decide for themselves. We are capable.

3 comments:

  1. Agreed. However, I also feel that 'Trust Women' is a dubious slogan, because it almost seems to imply that it should be up to someone else to *allow* a woman to do what she wants with her body. It seems like a reassurance almost, to put 'obviously capable' individuals at ease. I think it also encourages judgment.

    I think the slogan should be 'Mind Your Own Damn Business' instead. A woman should be entitled to complete and total rights of control over every aspect having to do with her body - regardless of her competence or perceived competence - simply because it's her body. I mean if someone tried to tell me what to do with my body, I'd point them to the nearest railroad spike.

    I realize I'm splitting hairs and that this is basically the point the slogan intends to get across. I just feel like their word choice belies the overall goal of the message. But I actually do agree with you.

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  2. Exactly! Thanks, Deek. :) I think you just blogged for choice, yourself!

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  3. Trust a woman to know when she's ready to have a child. Trust a woman to decide if she's not ready for a child.

    Yes! I do not understand why this is so hard for the simpletons to understand. If they can't grasp the basic rights of freedom imagine what else is conjured up in their devious mind?

    I shudder to think of it...

    Thank you for sharing.

    Peace.

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