Post by Jax on Aug 7, 2018 12:29:14 GMT -6
By Jax West
It has been a long day. I am totally behind schedule & have a million things to do to prepare for our trip to Springfield in the morning but I have to get out my thoughts on today’s hearing on the ERA in Chicago.
I am 46-years-old. Soon to be 47. But I am new to the ERA fight. Not that I haven’t thought we should be equal. I just wasn’t “woke” until Drumpf stole the election & started ruining our country. So I am not an expert on all things NRA. I am not the smartest person in the world. But I just can’t understand why people would be against an amendment stating everyone is equal.
Will it fix everything wrong in the world? Nope. But it’s a start. I was really confused by everything that Representative Mary Flowers said at today’s hearing. She was making everything about race. I am white & know all too well about my white privilege & I do not take it for granted. I am constantly fighting for us all to be equal no matter our sex, race, religion or orientation. The ERA is to make it a level playing field for all the above. She didn’t seem to like it because it didn’t single out women of color. & she would go on & on & on causing this one hour hearing to drag on for FOUR hours. The ERA being passed would not hurt women of color. It won’t stop the privileged whites from fighting for them & for all.
Then there was the opponents trying to use this to further their crusade to save fetuses. Giving women equal rights does not equal abortions. Guess what? Abortions are going to happen without the ERA, without Roe V Wade. I take great exception with them trying to push their religious rhetoric onto everyone. Choice means CHOICE. If you don’t want an abortion, don’t have one. Why don’t you spend your time going to help women who can’t afford to have a baby instead of trying to force your opinion on everyone else? I have been on the front lines of the Reproductive Right fight. I have been assaulted by multiple men. Including a priest wearing a collar & holding a rosary. It just sickens me that these people, many of them religious organizations who don’t pay taxes, think they have a say on what the majority should do with their lives.
I don’t want to dwell on the bad. There’s too much of it that we have to deal with now. Let’s go to the good. I first want to talk about Senator Pat Spearman of Nevada who was part of getting the ERA ratified in her state 2 years ago & came to speak at today’s hearing. What a wonderful woman! Such a great speaker. She literally moved me to tears. I thank her for all she has done & will continue to do for our country.
Kamala Lopez also spoke today in support of the ERA. She made a movie called ‘Equal Means Equal’. I have been working with her the last couple weeks to help organize the ERA Rally & Lobby in Springfield. I didn’t know her before this & I haven’t seen her film. But she was amazing to watch today. I could feel her passion. She is a force to be reckoned with & has a true heart. We are so fortunate to have her on our side.
Last but not least, Representative Lou Lang. I have heard things about him before, all good, but now saw him in action. He’s got me. I don’t live in his district but I will gladly go canvass & phone bank for him when needed. This man is one of the good ones & we need him. I thank him for all he has done & will continue to do.
Tomorrow we head down to Springfield to rally & lobby for the ERA. The Anti’s will be their spewing their alternative facts. But they are few & we are many. I am thankful for all of you that I have met on this journey & who I stand beside in our battles. Equal Means Equal. Love is Love. My body My choice.
#GetActiveAndTakeAction
It has been a long day. I am totally behind schedule & have a million things to do to prepare for our trip to Springfield in the morning but I have to get out my thoughts on today’s hearing on the ERA in Chicago.
I am 46-years-old. Soon to be 47. But I am new to the ERA fight. Not that I haven’t thought we should be equal. I just wasn’t “woke” until Drumpf stole the election & started ruining our country. So I am not an expert on all things NRA. I am not the smartest person in the world. But I just can’t understand why people would be against an amendment stating everyone is equal.
Will it fix everything wrong in the world? Nope. But it’s a start. I was really confused by everything that Representative Mary Flowers said at today’s hearing. She was making everything about race. I am white & know all too well about my white privilege & I do not take it for granted. I am constantly fighting for us all to be equal no matter our sex, race, religion or orientation. The ERA is to make it a level playing field for all the above. She didn’t seem to like it because it didn’t single out women of color. & she would go on & on & on causing this one hour hearing to drag on for FOUR hours. The ERA being passed would not hurt women of color. It won’t stop the privileged whites from fighting for them & for all.
Then there was the opponents trying to use this to further their crusade to save fetuses. Giving women equal rights does not equal abortions. Guess what? Abortions are going to happen without the ERA, without Roe V Wade. I take great exception with them trying to push their religious rhetoric onto everyone. Choice means CHOICE. If you don’t want an abortion, don’t have one. Why don’t you spend your time going to help women who can’t afford to have a baby instead of trying to force your opinion on everyone else? I have been on the front lines of the Reproductive Right fight. I have been assaulted by multiple men. Including a priest wearing a collar & holding a rosary. It just sickens me that these people, many of them religious organizations who don’t pay taxes, think they have a say on what the majority should do with their lives.
I don’t want to dwell on the bad. There’s too much of it that we have to deal with now. Let’s go to the good. I first want to talk about Senator Pat Spearman of Nevada who was part of getting the ERA ratified in her state 2 years ago & came to speak at today’s hearing. What a wonderful woman! Such a great speaker. She literally moved me to tears. I thank her for all she has done & will continue to do for our country.
Kamala Lopez also spoke today in support of the ERA. She made a movie called ‘Equal Means Equal’. I have been working with her the last couple weeks to help organize the ERA Rally & Lobby in Springfield. I didn’t know her before this & I haven’t seen her film. But she was amazing to watch today. I could feel her passion. She is a force to be reckoned with & has a true heart. We are so fortunate to have her on our side.
Last but not least, Representative Lou Lang. I have heard things about him before, all good, but now saw him in action. He’s got me. I don’t live in his district but I will gladly go canvass & phone bank for him when needed. This man is one of the good ones & we need him. I thank him for all he has done & will continue to do.
Tomorrow we head down to Springfield to rally & lobby for the ERA. The Anti’s will be their spewing their alternative facts. But they are few & we are many. I am thankful for all of you that I have met on this journey & who I stand beside in our battles. Equal Means Equal. Love is Love. My body My choice.
#GetActiveAndTakeAction