T
The 1970s!
What a time to be alive! Like young saplings we were
discovering who we might become. I was 21 years old when we gained the right to use contraception.
I was 22 years old when Roe v. Wade became law, with better care for women.
At age 23, I gained the right to use credit and borrow money without a co-signer.
At age 24, I joined the women’s movement that made it possible for us to be people in the eyes of the law and society.
By age 25, I understood that these rights were often out of reach for people of color.
But, the women’s movement made headway
in healthcare, legal matters, and women’s employment.
And now, we seem to be going backwards, and I admit
I sit down. I’m ready for the old-style consciousness-raising
groups to help propel me along the way. The anti-women
stance of many voters bewilders me. Both men and women
benefitted from our victories, and hidden gender
identities began to find a place to stand. The old ways
of fighting aren’t working anymore, not for people and not
for the environment. Not if we want to survive together in
a non-fascist, diversity- and inclusion-loving world.
This withered tree strains
under the weight of today,
but it will not break.
in healthcare, legal matters, and women’s employment.
And now, we seem to be going backwards, and I admit
I sit down. I’m ready for the old-style consciousness-raising
groups to help propel me along the way. The anti-women
stance of many voters bewilders me. Both men and women
benefitted from our victories, and hidden gender
identities began to find a place to stand. The old ways
of fighting aren’t working anymore, not for people and not
for the environment. Not if we want to survive together in
a non-fascist, diversity- and inclusion-loving world.
This withered tree strains
under the weight of today,
but it will not break.
For Sherry's prompt "Women's Rights: Then and Now" at What's Going On?
Susan, I feel every line of this poem. Having been alive through those changes, it is so hard to watch it all being attacked and undone. Worse than we even expected. I am also a withered and EXTREMELY tired tree......I will not break either. But I weep for the younger people who have to live through these terrible times. May it not be for long. Thank you for joining us even though you are visiting family We appreciate you!
ReplyDeleteI love your parting verse and also felt a window into your journey as a woman - Jae
ReplyDeleteThis withered tree strains
ReplyDeleteunder the weight of today,
but it will not break. Great empowering words and yes amazing to see how much had been achieved in that time. I think Europe was a little ahead in these things as the things you mentioned happened when my mother was still a young mother. Just after she had me the pill came and a bit later that she could borrow. I was for example in the first badge of women who went to a retail management school, which was only attended by young men till then. It is discouraging to see us going backwards
You've summed up everything so wonderfully in the end haiku Susan. In times of trouble the only "Word" that can save everyone is "Resilience" which is pronounced with so much strength in the last line of the haiku.
ReplyDeleteIt must extremely painful for any woman who like you, Susan, rejoiced in the liberation movement of the 70s to see it ready to collapse and all the victories achieved to be taken away in such mindless and absolute manner. I only hope that this temporary insanity the world is going through at the moment will stop soon...
ReplyDeleteFrom one withered tree to another....we shall overcome.
ReplyDeleteYes, the 70's were a wonderful time to be alive, when things kept getting better and better for (many) women. And consciousness-raising gave us a feeling of being empowered to change things. And today there is this sadness of the gains being taken away, powerful and intelligent women being fired because they are women (or the 'wrong' color), men wanting to control women's body autonomy, men wishing to take away women's rights to vote and vote as a male-dominated household. But yet we are strong, and 'we' have been using our voices in protest and 'will not break.'
ReplyDeleteI know you are right, to bad the forward progress of the 70's has gotten torn down or pushed back hard. I knew trouble was brewed when DEI was ordered to be erased.
ReplyDeleteI lived through those times as well, Susan. Your haiku at the end is excellent.
ReplyDelete