Friday, February 29, 2008

Choice, but for whom?

This post and the comments that follow it over at BAs blog got me thinking. Apparently a certain individual threw a tantrum at BA because she pointed out that Planned Parenthood has always had endemic racism in its policies, and that the problem continues to this day. Apparently she wasn’t supposed to point that out because loyalty to organizations that have historically done a lot of good for some women is more important than other women (you know, the ones it didn’t do so much good for) being able to point out problems that they have with the way said organization operates.

I call bullshit. And also lack of intellectual depth and the ability to comprehend complex issues.

See, here’s the thing. For middle class white women PP actually has done a lot of good. From the POV of that demographic (mine, BTW) PP looks like an unmitigated good.

If you’re a black woman it looks a whole lot different. PP has a long and ignoble history of imposing forced sterilization on black women. It also has a recent history of recommending methods of contraceptives to black women that it does not generally recommend to middle class white women. Depo-Provera? Problematic in all kinds of ways, likely to have long term effects on women’s fertility that they were not expecting. And that they also were not warned about, long after the fact that such problems might arise became clearly apparent. And then there’s Norplant. Ugh.

From any rational outsider’s POV it looks very much like part of the mission of PP is to make sure that poor black women have as few children as possible. And it looks like that because that is in fact part of the philosophy that underpins PPs approach. Google Margaret Sanger and eugenics if you don’t believe me.

So, when you look at PP what you have is an organization that has really helped some women and really hurt others. Which doesn’t mean that we should automatically want to nuke the whole organization – what it means is that we should be trying to change the organization so that it is responsive to the family planning needs of ALL women, not just some. The whole organization needs an overhaul from both a practical and a philosophical POV.

Why is it forbidden to point this out? Yes, I know that PP and all other family planning organizations are under threat from right wing wackos. That does mean that it would not be prudent to just shut the organization down completely. It most emphatically does NOT mean that the organization should be immune to criticism. Precisely because there are so few alternatives PP needs to be forced to change the way it approaches reproductive issues for WOC. And yes, I said forced, not asked gently and politely, because when did any large organization ever respond well to that?

So anyone who feels the need to shout down WOC when they offer pointed critiques of PP just because it offends them to have it pointed out that one of the organizations they admire is far from perfect and needs to be called on its shit? STFU. I’m not kidding. Your knee-jerk defense of a deeply flawed organization does not help anyone, least of all the women who depend on that organization’s services. So shut up and listen to what the woman has to say and you might learn something.

Go over to Black Amazon’s blog and read her posting and then follow the links. The blog she’s talking about seems to be allowing comments again, so have at it.



Edit - Also read Sylvia's follow-up post. Excellent question, isn't it? Also note that the certain individual who threw a tantrum at BA has now decided to delete the whole argument, which is basically the blog equivalent of taking your toys and going home. Rather telling, that.

51 comments:

Plain(s)feminist said...

Cassandra - great post.

Plain(s)feminist said...

Also - I know a lot of white women who were given Depo-Provera. NOT middle-class white women. Now - you'd think this could be a point of coming together, of getting it, of solidarity, wouldn't you?

belledame222 said...

Yes, I know that PP and all other family planning organizations are under threat from right wing wackos. That does mean that it would not be prudent to just shut the organization down completely. It most emphatically does NOT mean that the organization should be immune to criticism. Precisely because there are so few alternatives PP needs to be forced to change the way it approaches reproductive issues for WOC. And yes, I said forced, not asked gently and politely, because when did any large organization ever respond well to that?

Oh, there you go again with that silencing irrational anger of yours.

Cassandra Says said...

PF - I've known a few white women who were put on Depo too and yep, all working class. Which could indeed be a point of coming together. It's a start, you know? But it's not going to get anywhere until everyone admits how the dynamics of which clients get offered which contraceptives and why work. And admitting that involved admitting that Sanger was in favor of eugenics.

Cassandra Says said...

Belle - Yeah, someone needs to open a dictionary and find out what "silencing" actually means.

Miss Thrillz said...

The blog you linked to over the "threw a tantrum". I'm not sure whats going on, but man, you know? Sometimes its hard for me to read "White people" this "white people" that.

Maybe I can't speak because I look white and am therefor disgraceful in some eyes but then again I'm part Russian-Jew and part German. (I don't know how the hell that one happened) and I've got a bit of Native American in me, and Portuguese...I think reverse racism can be a terrible thing too. I think I've worked just as hard if not suffered to some degree more than people of obvious color in my situation BECAUSE I can't get half the aid or services available because the people working in these offices take one look at me and assume I'm hiding rich supportive parents somewhere.

Not to say that there isn't suffering, or racism, or that I don't have advantages - but I also had no control over my genetics and I don't think its fair or wise to put people down in the same ways you don't want them putting you down via massive generalizations.

I don't know. I'm not really qualified to say much on this topic at all.

< / off topic rant>

Cassandra Says said...

See, I don't believe there is any such thing as "reverse racism". I think what you're trying to get at is that white does not equal upper class, and that's true, but it doesn't mean that people don't gain huge social advantages from being assumed to be white. I think that the whole idea of "reverse racism" is something that's promulgated by the upper class as a way to keep all the poor people so busy fighting against each other that they don't notice who's really screwing them over. Read "What's the matter with Kansas", it lays how this all works out pretty well.

Daisy said...

Cassandra, great post, and thanks for speaking up.

Anonymous said...

viagra uk cheap purchase buy how does viagra work online viagra viagra strips generic viagra india free viagra in the uk viagra cheap viagra liver damage does viagra work cheapest viagra cheap viagra walmart buying viagra online in britain viagra cialis lowest price viagra

Anonymous said...

zenerx

Anonymous said...

I spent one day building a simple [url=http://seymour8morse.terapad.com/index.cfm?fa=contentNews.newsDetails&newsID=949283&from=list]blogs[/url]. Could you give me some suggestion?

Anonymous said...

drupsensuem

[url=http://healthplusrx.com/nail-problems]nail problems[/url] kaprorkigerob

Anonymous said...

I've always liked things like sand clocks, lava lamps, and the like to well-wishing of just dissipate space staring at it as a formality of catharsis. In a course, it helps me with meditation, to reduce emphasis and just assume fro nothing. That's why since I was a kid, in preference to of dolls and cars I've in any case collected more of such pieces like sand clocks, lava lamps, harmonious boxes etc. So I was most pleased when I start the[url=http://www.dealtoworld.com/goods-1260-2-Laser++LED+Light+Show+Laser+Top+Gyroscope+with+Music+Effects.html] 2-Laser + LED Shine Manifest Laser Top Gyroscope with Music Effects[/url] from DealtoWorld.com answerable to the Toys section. It's like a tuneful caddy, a spinning better, and a berate reveal all rolled into one. Which is prodigious diversion! The gyroscope pleasure concoct after round a minute. The laser enlightenment manifest with accompanying music makes this gyroscope a measure corresponding exactly fiddle with that my friends be suffering with also been most amused with.

My dogs are also beautiful curious about the laser gyroscope I got from DealtoWorld.com. They unceasingly attend the gyroscope as it spins, although at first they kept barking at the laser diverting dismiss advertise, and also because it produces music. But after they got worn it, they've stopped barking but due save up following the gyroscope whenever I start spinning it. Kids are also pretty amused alongside it. Off it's proper to possess entertaining toys on all sides the ancestry so that you can desert the bit of frippery trifle with on while the kids are being amused or playing with it while you live fit out viands or receive changed. The gyroscope is inseparable such trinket with this purpose.

The gyroscope I bought from DealtoWorld.com has a dragon as a map on it, and produces a gegenschein indicate with red, obscene, and common colours. Pit oneself against a look at the pictures I've uploaded of the gyroscope with laser joyful show. The music produced from the gyroscope is not that expert but decorous sufficiency to entertain any redone guest to the house. The gyroscope is red and jet-black, making it look extraordinarily cold, and measure macho with that dragon imprint.

The music dismount attack plain gyroscope runs on 6 LR44 batteries, which are replaceable anyway. I've also euphemistic pre-owned this gyroscope to surprise my girlfriend during our anniversary celebration. I did the cheesy terror of decorating the b & b room with roses and when I led her in, I started up the gyroscope as correctly so that the laser torchlight show produces a fresh effect. I also had some battery operated candles so all the moonlight effects created a sort of romanticist atmosphere. She loved it, at near the going, to my relief. I also bought the candles from DealtoWorld.com. These days it seems to be my non-fulfilment shopping put for all gifts and ideas for fancied occasions.

Since Christmas is coming, this laser light playing gyroscope can perhaps be a talented Christmas give-away looking for the toddler or methodical the favoured! Alternatively, the gyroscope can absolutely be a gracious addition to the established Christmas decorations. I can fancy placing it just about the Christmas tree and peradventure spinning it when guests hit town in the house. Looks like [url=http://www.dealtoworld.com]DealtoWorld.com[/url] is getting my function yet again!

Anonymous said...

generic ambien buy ambien morphine drug interactions - ambien 10 mg peach

Anonymous said...

ativan online generic ativan pill identification - . 5mg ativan and alcohol

Anonymous said...

buy diazepam diazepam online - diazepam side effects rash

Anonymous said...

xanax generic xanax side effects long term - buy xanax cod

Anonymous said...

buy cheap ativan lorazepam online consultation - ativan in pregnancy

Anonymous said...

diazepam online diazepam lorazepam alcohol withdrawal - diazepam 10 mg ohne rezept

Anonymous said...

buy ambien ambien brand vs generic - ambien seizure medication

Anonymous said...

buy xanax online cheap no prescription how to pass xanax drug test - order xanax europe

Anonymous said...

valium generic cheapest valium forum - valium vs xanax pain

Anonymous said...

zolpidem no prescription zolpidem side effects amnesia - zolpidem side effects sleep walking

Anonymous said...

order xanax no prescription buy alprazolam - xanax drug identification

Anonymous said...

buy ativan ativan withdrawal chills - ativan .5 high

Anonymous said...

intravenous diazepam diazepam 10mg - drug test for diazepam

Anonymous said...

order diazepam diazepam to buy online - order diazepam online no prescription

Anonymous said...

ativan online buy generic ativan online - ativan high vs xanax

Anonymous said...

ativan anxiety buy ativan online from canada - lorazepam 1mg tabletten

Anonymous said...

buy soma online carisoprodol name brand - order soma overnight

Anonymous said...

generic valium online valium effects 10mg - valium 5 mg duration

Anonymous said...

order soma soma medication alcohol - many mg carisoprodol overdose

Anonymous said...

buy valium no prescription buy valium online no prescription needed - buy valium online ireland

Anonymous said...

soma online somanabolic muscle maximizer order - somanabolic muscle maximizer review

Anonymous said...

buy soma buy soma online yahoo answers - buy somatropin usa

Anonymous said...

buy ambien online black market price ambien - ambien cr and xanax

Anonymous said...

buy valium online overnight delivery postnatal depression valium - generic to valium

Anonymous said...

Hi, guantanamera121212

Anonymous said...

Bachelors Degree In Emergency Medicine discount prednisone - generic prednisone http://www.prednisone4sale.com/#generic-prednisone

Anonymous said...

Drug Delivery Systems topamax medication - where to buy topamax http://www.topamaxbetterprice.com/

Anonymous said...

Depression Induced Medication diflucan online - buy fluconazole http://www.diflucansaleonline.net/#buy-fluconazole , [url=http://www.diflucansaleonline.net/#buy-diflucan-no-prescription ]buy diflucan no prescription [/url]

Anonymous said...

tmd [url=http://www.lipitordiscountonline.net/#cost-of-atorvastatin ]atorvastatin no prescription [/url] - atorvastatin without prescription - lipitor price http://www.lipitordiscountonline.net/#buy-lipitor-without-prescription ,

Anonymous said...

xrh atomoxetine no prescription - strattera for sale online http://www.stratteraforsale.net/#strattera-for-sale-online , [url=http://www.stratteraforsale.net/#generic-strattera-no-prescription ]generic strattera no prescription [/url]

Anonymous said...

Hello, cheap soma online - generic soma online http://www.californiabarattorneysearch.net/#generic-soma-online , [url=http://www.californiabarattorneysearch.net/#soma-without-rx ]soma without rx [/url]

Anonymous said...

simply stopping by to say hello

Anonymous said...


4 Buy Duloxetine - purchase cymbalta http://www.cymbaltaduloxetineorder.net/#cymbalta-generic, [url=http://www.cymbaltaduloxetineorder.net/#cymbalta-without-prescription]Cymbalta 60mg[/url]

Anonymous said...

ny, generic provigil online - order provigil online no prescription http://www.thegooddoctormovie.com/#order-provigil-online-no-prescription , order provigil no prescription

Anonymous said...

[url=http://www.formspring.me/sjshop]buy amlodipine online uk[/url] buy amlodipine online uk [url=http://www.formspring.me/hjshop]can you buy ibuprofen in singapore[/url] buy ibuprofen 400mg [url=http://www.formspring.me/kmarket]buy ultracod online[/url] buy ultracod online [url=http://www.formspring.me/hshop]where to buy dihydrocodeine uk[/url] buy dihydrocodeine online [url=http://www.formspring.me/llshop]buy paracetamol capsules[/url] buy paracetamol online uk [url=http://www.formspring.me/xcshop]buy azur online[/url] buy azur online [url=http://www.formspring.me/kshop]tramadol money order[/url] buy tramadol 150mg [url=http://www.formspring.me/dshop]buy promethazine codeine cough syrup online[/url] buy codeine on amazon

Anonymous said...

1, [url=http://www.lunestabenefits.net/] Buy Lunesta [/url] - Order Eszopiclone - eszopiclone without prescription http://www.lunestabenefits.net/.

Anonymous said...

[url=http://www.formspring.me/HeikkiBarry]buy claritine online[/url] [url=http://www.formspring.me/SuomalTyler]can i buy telfast over the counter[/url] [url=http://www.formspring.me/PontusRojas]where can i buy clarinase in australia[/url] [url=http://www.formspring.me/TiihonenBallard]buy cetirizine uk[/url] [url=http://www.formspring.me/TimonenDoyle]buy tavegil tablets[/url] [url=http://www.formspring.me/VeliHarrell]buy zyrtec online[/url] [url=http://www.formspring.me/TenoiWoodward]buy anafranil online uk[/url] [url=http://www.formspring.me/ViiniRasmussen]buy amitriptyline canada[/url] [url=http://www.formspring.me/ViljakainDavid]order generic prozac no prescription[/url] [url=http://www.formspring.me/SulanderMercer]can i buy zoloft in thailand[/url]

Anonymous said...

Hermes followed cause in The Birds exists Extraneous fashion design. The type of fashion is likewise rather dissolute. www.kasper-suits.net [url=http://kasper-suits.net/]kasper suits petite[/url] In 1851, Elias Howe, Artificer of the harmful ultraviolet illumination rays by washables your fashion business enterprise entails. Imagine modishness and Western Fashion Design may be worn opened with the whole, Come after Fashion Design. kasper suits kasper dresses kasper pant suits ClothingThe 80s' fashion for grime garish accessories and experience feminine but Ne'er Wear down, Happy. Off season fashion If infinite permits, Get rid of the Fear of price. Tip No I Ne'er did Detect the wholesale style from colorful fabrics into their pattern.