Yesterday afternoon, I took time out of schlepping kids to volunteer at the low-attended booth at our local fair. I know I've got a great perspective on the whole *abortion* issue and I'm eager to aid in the shifting of folks' perceptions. [the constitution doing it's job for citizens regardless of gender] There was a couple of cool moments between the great conversations I had with the community outreach gal.
It was daycare day at the fair. 1,200 sheeple were herded around the grounds in groups of brightly colored tee shirts. Some with ropes to hold, some holding one another's shirts, some shepherded by crabby, crabby folks. Few were shepherded by less crabby folks. Being over 90 degrees with deep, dense humidity did not make for happy attitudes on the part of the grownups. Sad to witness. The kids I found to be the most curious about our table and wares were the kids wearing red shirts with a big white cross and "Christian Center" or somesuch on them. The first time the group of 15-5 year olds amoeba-ed it's way in front of us, Crabby Bitch Caretaker, chased them away quickly and screeched, "We CAN'T take anything from this table!!" Thanks for hanging the dangling carrot of choice before the kids! Anyhoo, they eventually wormed their way back over while CBC was busy talking to the energy guy across the way (I love the sociology opportunities the fair provides!). This time, I gently told the kids, "Sorry hon, your teachers don't want you to take any of our stickers"
"Why?" "Because it's bad?"
"No, not because it's bad," again with a soft and gentle tone, "because this is stuff that's better for your parents to talk to you about."
CBC's assistant heard me and gently redirected the kids to the open space a few feet away. When CBC finally turned around the kids were already on their way away and she commenced with her screeching again. Icky poo-poo to you lady! Oh and thanks for making me look good ya freaking whack-job!
I discovered a couple of great organizations:
Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice RCRC.org Which is composed of leaders of many, many mainstream religions who believe in a woman's right to choose her own reproductive destiny. I'm really impressed by the sheer number of organized churches represented. Their literature and statements are impassioned and inspiring!
Spiritual Youth for Reproductive Freedom SYRF.org is the youth-centered offshoot of RCRC. We had buttons and tattoos on the table, which were picked up by many teens after I began explaining it was a group of "kids who go to church and believe in the right to choose."
We also had an unofficial petition on the table to send a message to SD lawmakers that we (their contingency) feel the very best way to lower the number of abortions in SD is via Comprehensive Sex Education and Free Access to Birth Control. Neither of which is readily available to folks in this state [where pharmacies can claim a "moral objection" to medication they don't want to dispense, i.e. birth control and Plan B-- funny, they never refuse to prescribe Xanex or Prozac]. We collected a couple of pages of signatures! Maybe Oregon's attitude is possible here... I'm not sticking around to find out!! :)
It was daycare day at the fair. 1,200 sheeple were herded around the grounds in groups of brightly colored tee shirts. Some with ropes to hold, some holding one another's shirts, some shepherded by crabby, crabby folks. Few were shepherded by less crabby folks. Being over 90 degrees with deep, dense humidity did not make for happy attitudes on the part of the grownups. Sad to witness. The kids I found to be the most curious about our table and wares were the kids wearing red shirts with a big white cross and "Christian Center" or somesuch on them. The first time the group of 15-5 year olds amoeba-ed it's way in front of us, Crabby Bitch Caretaker, chased them away quickly and screeched, "We CAN'T take anything from this table!!" Thanks for hanging the dangling carrot of choice before the kids! Anyhoo, they eventually wormed their way back over while CBC was busy talking to the energy guy across the way (I love the sociology opportunities the fair provides!). This time, I gently told the kids, "Sorry hon, your teachers don't want you to take any of our stickers"
"Why?" "Because it's bad?"
"No, not because it's bad," again with a soft and gentle tone, "because this is stuff that's better for your parents to talk to you about."
CBC's assistant heard me and gently redirected the kids to the open space a few feet away. When CBC finally turned around the kids were already on their way away and she commenced with her screeching again. Icky poo-poo to you lady! Oh and thanks for making me look good ya freaking whack-job!
I discovered a couple of great organizations:
Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice RCRC.org Which is composed of leaders of many, many mainstream religions who believe in a woman's right to choose her own reproductive destiny. I'm really impressed by the sheer number of organized churches represented. Their literature and statements are impassioned and inspiring!
Spiritual Youth for Reproductive Freedom SYRF.org is the youth-centered offshoot of RCRC. We had buttons and tattoos on the table, which were picked up by many teens after I began explaining it was a group of "kids who go to church and believe in the right to choose."
We also had an unofficial petition on the table to send a message to SD lawmakers that we (their contingency) feel the very best way to lower the number of abortions in SD is via Comprehensive Sex Education and Free Access to Birth Control. Neither of which is readily available to folks in this state [where pharmacies can claim a "moral objection" to medication they don't want to dispense, i.e. birth control and Plan B-- funny, they never refuse to prescribe Xanex or Prozac]. We collected a couple of pages of signatures! Maybe Oregon's attitude is possible here... I'm not sticking around to find out!! :)
2 comments:
I'm curious why you have an unusual perspective on abortion? Just bein' nosy and curious :)
Moving is so exciting, and from what I've seen of Oregon it's just so beautiful there. I saw Devo at the Gorge and it ruled. Good luck getting this move going!
I just recently got into and feel inlove with blogging and reading blogs. I love getting to read peoples thoughts (I am nosey like that). Anyhoo I have been sent your link to your blog a few times as a must read! I do see why I have been laughing. When your different and do things differently (raising children etc) seeing others and living in the unreal world is a bit annoying.
Loves,
Dharmeez
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