Never in a million years did I ever think I would become "political! ME? No way. Well guess what - it happened. Once I was able to vote I formed my own opinions. But still I would never have considered myself "political". And then I did some temporary work for a non-profit. Trust me when I say I had absolutely no opinion when it came to women's reproductive rights. Don't take the pill or take the pill. None of my business what you do or what I do.
The person I replaced in that temp position evidently had strong opinions and would not accept the position. I was not for or against. So I took the position. Never did I ever feel I would end up with a strong opinion that began sort of quietly into being political. The impact would last a life time and began a quest of asking questions. What kind you ask? Why would a man have any say so over MY body or the body of any woman? Why would the government tell me what I can do and can't do when it comes to my body? To take the pill or not? These are personal decisions for a woman, her doctor and her creator. Man. Government. They are NOT my creator. Are they yours?
Yes opinions differ. But just let me tell you. . . The people who were/are part of "that" non-profit are there because they feel compelled to help people thru difficult times and good times. They perform procedures that many women cannot afford (ie prescriptions for pills, pap smears, exams - the routine things every woman goes thru). And, if you are a woman of any age that has unfortunate decisions to make - hard decisions. They will offer options. They do NOT tell you what you should do but give you options. It is always your choice.
DO not try to convince me that they are horrid people. Sorry - I will not buy that at all. I was there when protests went on. When doctors were murdered. When clinics were besieged by protesters. I would take the bus to the non-profit and walk half a block up the hill. Many times there were women, girls who rode also and got off. I would ask are you going up the hill over there (and point)? yes they would reply and looked nervous esp when they saw protesters in front of the building.
Softly I would say well I work there and here's what we are going to do. I will walk on the outside to be a buffer betwee you and the protestors. I want you to only look at me and we will talk as we go in. Then the receptionist is there and you are in very good hands. They would always be so relieved that someone would be walking in with them. No one deserves to be bombarded. It's about choices.
I walked in one afternoon and it was so eery - no one was around. I went to my desk and saw something on the walls of the directors office. I went in and my heart sank. Blood splatters every where. Then another associate - a clerk - came and explained. Our director was taken to the hospital a guy posed as a reporter and when in the office leaped over the desk and started beating up the director. The clerk had been on his way to the meeting in the other area of the office and interceded - saving the director's life!
Molotov cocktails you know the kind that are tossed on a roof top to set the building on fire. Yes several "duds" were on the top of the roof of the building. Always armed guards at the door. Yes, I am political. And, yes, I have an opinion based on facts and based on interaction with the people who were part of the non-profit and yes, even those that picketed every day. There is no sitting on the fence. I respect opinions. Therefore, respect mine. I was not formed quickly or easily but it was solidified by what happens.
Yes, I am political. You cannot take one part of me without the other. I will not always be on a soapbox but neither will I sit in the shadows and not commit to what I believe in. I marched in Washington DC in around 1987 - the very first march for Women's Right to Choose. Women for Choice! 700,000 people marched down the national mall to the Washington Monument. By the time our section started marching, the speeches were over but we made a mark in history.
And, it has at times I have felt like I was always meant to be the one to hold those responsible for misdeeds accountable. Even tho it was not the easiest of things to do. A southern Baptist day care they believed in beating children with double wooden paddles when they refused to eat all their food or when they wanted to play in the playground pretending to be monsters - the things children do. I reported to the police what they did to my daughter. Excruciating but necessary. School/church raided and minister and teacher taken into custody. I was threatened by the minister. We had to move. State of California helped us with the case. It had happened numerous times, but people refused to stand up and fight. How could I not? This is my baby. My baby cub. And, now I am the Mama Bear - the fierce Mama Bear. NO ONE messes with my cub!
Yes, I am political. Right is right and wrong is wrong. We may have different views what that entails. But again, no person of authority has the right to discipline my child without my permission. NO CORPORAL punishment. I will hold YOU accountable.
And, now we come to the fire storm of 2020. In the time of a pandemic. The world is quarantined. We should be working together and helping those who need help. Instead - Minneapolis, Minnesota the evening of May 25th, 2020 Memorial Day weekend. George Floyd was murdered by a policeman with 3 other policeman participating/standing by.
Memorial Day weekend will never mean the same again.
I AM Political.
BLACK LIVES MATTER
You are In the Studio with Mrs. B
The person I replaced in that temp position evidently had strong opinions and would not accept the position. I was not for or against. So I took the position. Never did I ever feel I would end up with a strong opinion that began sort of quietly into being political. The impact would last a life time and began a quest of asking questions. What kind you ask? Why would a man have any say so over MY body or the body of any woman? Why would the government tell me what I can do and can't do when it comes to my body? To take the pill or not? These are personal decisions for a woman, her doctor and her creator. Man. Government. They are NOT my creator. Are they yours?
Yes opinions differ. But just let me tell you. . . The people who were/are part of "that" non-profit are there because they feel compelled to help people thru difficult times and good times. They perform procedures that many women cannot afford (ie prescriptions for pills, pap smears, exams - the routine things every woman goes thru). And, if you are a woman of any age that has unfortunate decisions to make - hard decisions. They will offer options. They do NOT tell you what you should do but give you options. It is always your choice.
DO not try to convince me that they are horrid people. Sorry - I will not buy that at all. I was there when protests went on. When doctors were murdered. When clinics were besieged by protesters. I would take the bus to the non-profit and walk half a block up the hill. Many times there were women, girls who rode also and got off. I would ask are you going up the hill over there (and point)? yes they would reply and looked nervous esp when they saw protesters in front of the building.
Softly I would say well I work there and here's what we are going to do. I will walk on the outside to be a buffer betwee you and the protestors. I want you to only look at me and we will talk as we go in. Then the receptionist is there and you are in very good hands. They would always be so relieved that someone would be walking in with them. No one deserves to be bombarded. It's about choices.
I walked in one afternoon and it was so eery - no one was around. I went to my desk and saw something on the walls of the directors office. I went in and my heart sank. Blood splatters every where. Then another associate - a clerk - came and explained. Our director was taken to the hospital a guy posed as a reporter and when in the office leaped over the desk and started beating up the director. The clerk had been on his way to the meeting in the other area of the office and interceded - saving the director's life!
Molotov cocktails you know the kind that are tossed on a roof top to set the building on fire. Yes several "duds" were on the top of the roof of the building. Always armed guards at the door. Yes, I am political. And, yes, I have an opinion based on facts and based on interaction with the people who were part of the non-profit and yes, even those that picketed every day. There is no sitting on the fence. I respect opinions. Therefore, respect mine. I was not formed quickly or easily but it was solidified by what happens.
Yes, I am political. You cannot take one part of me without the other. I will not always be on a soapbox but neither will I sit in the shadows and not commit to what I believe in. I marched in Washington DC in around 1987 - the very first march for Women's Right to Choose. Women for Choice! 700,000 people marched down the national mall to the Washington Monument. By the time our section started marching, the speeches were over but we made a mark in history.
And, it has at times I have felt like I was always meant to be the one to hold those responsible for misdeeds accountable. Even tho it was not the easiest of things to do. A southern Baptist day care they believed in beating children with double wooden paddles when they refused to eat all their food or when they wanted to play in the playground pretending to be monsters - the things children do. I reported to the police what they did to my daughter. Excruciating but necessary. School/church raided and minister and teacher taken into custody. I was threatened by the minister. We had to move. State of California helped us with the case. It had happened numerous times, but people refused to stand up and fight. How could I not? This is my baby. My baby cub. And, now I am the Mama Bear - the fierce Mama Bear. NO ONE messes with my cub!
Yes, I am political. Right is right and wrong is wrong. We may have different views what that entails. But again, no person of authority has the right to discipline my child without my permission. NO CORPORAL punishment. I will hold YOU accountable.
And, now we come to the fire storm of 2020. In the time of a pandemic. The world is quarantined. We should be working together and helping those who need help. Instead - Minneapolis, Minnesota the evening of May 25th, 2020 Memorial Day weekend. George Floyd was murdered by a policeman with 3 other policeman participating/standing by.
Memorial Day weekend will never mean the same again.
I AM Political.
BLACK LIVES MATTER
You are In the Studio with Mrs. B
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