A to Z bloggers get Sunday off, and weekends are for free writing in the NaBloPoMo challenge – so I’ve rolled quite a few topics around on my tongue today, just to see how they tasted. No one thing popped up as a hearty meal, so I am serving up some thought tapas today.
First things first. Happy Easter! This is the first year I did not really do much for the holiday. When Zilla was a little girl we would go up on the mountain and have an Easter Egg Hunt in high mountain meadows during a camping trip. This year both b and s daughters received boxes packed with goodies. Or at least I hope they did. I know the one box arrived in the North Country. Hope to hear that the East bound package also made it.
Hubby and I had a quiet day. He is preparing for a business trip to Madison, WI later this week. I am attempting to outmaneuver every sort of Spring pollen known to human kind. Seems that every flowering plant of the world has made its way to Tucson and the spring bloomers, along with the grasses and trees, are doing their reproductive thing. Actually I know some have ended the Spring bloom such as the oranges, and Tombstone Rose bushes which are also known as the Lady Victoria Banks rose were in full bloom a couple of weeks ago. Tucson is a gorgeous place, but native species have a lot of competition.
So I didn’t do much today, but I read and mulled over the comments to my Friday article on Feminism and my life. I am truly surprised that so many of the comments referred to my strength and wished me well or thanked me for telling my story. I am honored that women read the peace and were moved by it. I don’t think I am strong. Tenacious perhaps, but strength, well, thank you for seeing that in me. Everything is perception. If you see me as strong, maybe I am.
The unfortunate thing is that my story is not uncommon. No one knows exactly how many women have been victimized by the culture of hate against women in this country. Sexual abuse and assault impacts at least 20% of all women in the U.S. and the number is probably closer to one in four rather than one in five. Then when we look at our increasing rate of infant and maternal mortality, the lower wages, and the general wearing of heals while dancing backward and up and down steps as the iconic Ginger Rogers example illustrates, well, anyone with any sense can see that there is a war on women.
I believe it is time, this is the century where the knowledge and wisdom of women will be more necessary than ever if we are to survive the changes that are beginning to show themselves through climate change. But before that, we need to elect candidates who will actively maintain the rights we already have and work to expand the legal infrastructure for the equality for all men and women.
It is critical that we move forward in a positive way that shows our might and our refusal to be intimidated and controlled. I hope you will all consider gathering this April 28th in your local towns and state capitals to show that the war on women will not be tolerated.
This is the graphic for the march I will attend but the image is linked to a Facebook page that is supposed to have links to events going on all over the country on April 28th.
Gathering together with other women is powerful. I hope you will participate, or create something if you cannot find a local event.
Talk to the women you meet on April 28th to find out about who might be interested in coming to D.C. to join together in a national action of women uniting in support of ourselves, affirming our control of our own bodies and sending a very clear message that women’s lives, health and control over our own bodies and lives is not for others to attempt to control or legislate control over.
A million or two women showing up to march on our Capitol just might scare the shit out of the few people who are attempting to exert control over women in a way that never existed so that they can go back to a time that never existed in the first place. These power-hungry control freaks are not brave nor strong. Women are brave and strong and we will not go back.
I am not strong by myself, but together we are incredibly strong.