Most importantly, or disturbingly, I realized that this is what a lot of people think being a woman means: being sacrificial. Giving up your own self, your own goals and beliefs for someone else’s agenda; reducing your body to little more than fertile ground. Spilling your own blood for some vague greater “good.” Perhaps that’s why the archetype of the Virgin, of immaculate conception, is so pervasive in our culture: she wasn’t given a choice, and yet.
But I was given a choice and I chose myself. I chose self-preservation over sacrifice; I can’t say what anyone else would have done in my position because I am myself and couldn’t have done differently. I chose to do what’s best for me so that if and when I’m ready to be a mother, I can actually be a good one. Just because you can have a child doesn’t mean you should.
And I know there are people who will always see that as selfish, but to me it’s just the opposite.
"
Walk for Choice, NYC.
Sign reads: “Feminists fight back! Save Abortion, End Sterilization Abuse. Radical Women + Freedom Socialist Party.”
London’s Reclaim the Night was yesterday!
It was a lot of fun with plenty of enjoyable chants and songs, plus some brilliant speeches at the after-party (I love Finn Mackay!). However, I recommend that if you ever go on any marches in autumn/winter that you wear cold-defying booties! Ouch.
You can see pictures of the march and the after-party here.
P.S. I’ll see if I can get hold of some of the chant/song lyrics if you want?
Here are some reasons that a straight, married feminist/womanist woman might have taken her husband’s name:
Click through to read on.
