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Not All Vaginas Are Pink

Mar 30, 2017
by Caroline Miller
Angela Davis, Black Lives Matter, black women in the suffragette movement, Gloria Steinem, Leslie Jamison, suffragette marches, The March on Everywhere, Women's March on Washington D. C.
2 Comments

When politics gets  tough, American’s cope by using laughter. John Stewart and Stephen Colbert lead the way, of course.  Michael Moore and Rachel Maddow get in a few good licks, as does Garrison Keillor.  But for street genius, there’s nothing like a protest sign. Here, I’ll share  a few of my favorites from the 2017 Women’s March on Washington D. C.:  Men of Quality Don’t Fear Equality; I’ve seen smarter Cabinets at Ikea; Vaginas brought you into the world and Vaginas will Vote you out; We shall Overcomb;  Hug a Journalist; Tweet others as You want to be Tweeted.  My personal favorite is, Make America Smart Again.

 Leslie Jamison gives a spirited account of the look and feel of the Women’s March, signs included, in her recent article. (“The March on Everywhere,” by Leslie Jamison, Harpers, April pgs. 25-37 ) Yet as uplifting as the event was in the hearts and minds of those who attended, a shadow hung over the day.  One placard expressed it best:  You White women, where were you when we marched for Black Lives Matter?

Courtesy of theroot.com

I was stung when I read the message and then angered.  Why choose this time for accusations when the event was trying to unite people?  Nonetheless, reading the words, I was forced to admit, I’d never put myself on the line for Black Lives Matter.  I’d never demonstrated against that injustice.

A sad historical truth is race has never been at the forefront of the Women’s Movement. Black women had to force their way into the suffragette marches. (Click)  Says Jamison,  “Feminism has always been about white women not understanding black women.” (Ibid pg. 30.)  Suddenly, the words that offended me hit me with the force of a kick in the gut.

 I could have countered, “Hispanic lives matter.”  I could have recounted the number of times my mother and I had been thrown off of buses, denied a roof over our heads, or the times I was  forced to stand beside my parent while  some white male bozo hurled insults, deeming us both inferior.  But this isn’t a moment to compare hurt.  This is a moment to listen and vow to do better.

Let us begin by recognizing The Women’s Movement isn’t a homogeneous mass.  Differences exist within the ranks.  Because of it,  we have an opportunity to teach each other.  That is the feminist way.  That is why Gloria Steinem (Click) and Angela Davis (Click) could stand on the same platform the afternoon of the march and speak to our common cause. Perhaps we are unwise to dream of overcoming every difference and unwise to try.  The goal of feminism isn’t to make everyone the same.  The goal is to  be inclusive.

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2 Comments
  1. Pamela Langley March 31, 2017 at 4:04 pm Reply
    Very worthwhile, sensitive and eye-opening post, Caroline. I agree--we need to be inclusive. I was so deeply moved by video of a 90+-year old Holocaust survivor who was speaking up against the ICE raids on courthouses in Arizona. ALL marginalization and injustice should be taken to task.
    • Caroline Miller March 31, 2017 at 5:20 pm Reply
      I saw the clip, too. Sad that we have to be reminded of the lessons of World War II all over again. When will we ever learn?

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Contact Caroline at

carolinemiller11@yahoo.com

Portland, Oregon author Caroline Miller had distinguished careers as an educator, union president, elected official and artist/advocate.

Her play, Woman on the Scarlet Beast, was performed at the Post5 Theatre, Portland, OR, January/February 2015

Caroline published a serialized novelette, Marie Eau-Claire, on the website, The Colored Lens.  She also published the story Gustav Pavel,  a parable about ordinary lives, choice and alternate potential, on the website Fixional.co.

Caroline has published four novels

  • Ballet Noir
  • Trompe l’Oeil
  • Gothic Spring
  • Heart Land

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