tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6387757235421993128.post7430406314970978926..comments2023-12-27T23:42:45.680-05:00Comments on The Abortioneers: Wordplayplacenta sandwichhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14729355361057625131noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6387757235421993128.post-48714988407607705282010-10-17T22:39:49.533-04:002010-10-17T22:39:49.533-04:00PCG, I relate a lot to what you're saying, but...PCG, I relate a lot to what you're saying, but often feel sad that, while some of us feel the "feminist movement" doesn't quite encompass all of the progressive ideals we hold, there are still people trying to pull it apart from the other side -- people who don't want to see women liberated, either. And then I don't know what to do. On the other hand, it's definitely the case that the longer I've been doing this work, the less the names seem to matter -- like you said :) But I do appreciate having a conceptual and ethical frame of reference for thinking through issues and actions -- and that's one thing that feminist theory has always helped in. <br /><br />Jan, thank you for sharing your experience. It's certainly true that some very skilled and safe providers may not be progressive people, or vice-versa. However, it's not like we always must "only have one"! I am happily employed in a place that is both, and I'd like to strive for a world where we can always have both!placenta sandwichhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14729355361057625131noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6387757235421993128.post-41915068642965874092010-10-17T11:55:12.087-04:002010-10-17T11:55:12.087-04:00For 14 years I worked for the major abortion provi...For 14 years I worked for the major abortion provider in southern California. It is a for-profit chain of clinics, the most financially successful in the country (I believe).<br /><br />I identify myself as a Feminist.<br />Many of my female co-workers did not, though when push came to shove, they'd usually behave as one.<br /><br />The doctors, on the other hand, were a mixed sort.<br />All male, only a few had liberal politics. BUT... even the most conservative among them were good doctors, taking care to see that every woman received decent medical care.<br /><br />So, I suppose the real question is: if I can only have one, do I want a healthcare provider who shares my world view, or one who will take care of me well?Janhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04926645392538616439noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6387757235421993128.post-2261527020879827962010-10-14T22:15:41.431-04:002010-10-14T22:15:41.431-04:00I dumped the feminism label somewhat recently. Is ...I dumped the feminism label somewhat recently. Is it because I no longer agree with equality? Of course not. I just found that feminism and equality don't always go hand in hand.<br /><br />I stopped using the term feminist to identify with because I felt like it was a club for white, cis women. When Mary Daly died, I saw feminists praising her and portraying her as some sort of idol. Look her up, and you'll see that she refers to trans people as "frankenstenians". When there was a hate crime committed against a white, cis gay man (like w/ the guy who committed suicide lately because of that awful bullying) I saw feminists making a lot of noise about it, understandably. But when Stacey Blahnik, a trans woman of color, is murdered.. the response is deafening silence. I don't mean to be one of the "why are you concentrating on x when y is so much more important" types, but I've seen feminists put up more of a fuss over gender-coded laptops than over the fact that trans women can't even receive medical care in this country without fear of being severely abused by medical staff. <br /><br />(Btw, this is not meant to bash those who choose to identify as feminists, there are self proclaimed feminists who do fight for equality for all. I just pray that, instead of ignoring the problems with feminism, those who choose to stick with the label are going to try to fix them.)<br /><br />Soo, anyway, after I learned all of this, I had a choice. I could either stick with the label "feminist" and try to redefine feminism so that it includes all women, or just dump the label altogether. I chose to dump the label. What's in a label anyway? I'm still the same liberty loving, life loving, pro-choice gal, and I'm still going to be an abortion provider :).ProChoiceGalhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07220695159759063365noreply@blogger.com