Truly Outrageous

I’ve been thinking: why is it so hard to take the step into action? This morning, after reading through my inbox, I found one reason:because we are encouraged not to take that step, sometimes by the very organizations that work to support our goals. As I munched on my daily bagel the size of my head, I opened an email from Planned Parenthood that doubtless many of you also received: ‘Don’t mourn. Organize!’ ‘Exactly!’ was my first thought, followed by ‘Oh, fuck off’.

“What can I do?” That’s the question I’ve heard over and over again in the days since the U.S. Supreme Court’s dangerous decision.

My answer: “Don’t mourn. Organize.” It’s time for each of us to recognize that elections have consequences. If Bush hadn’t won, there would be no abortion ban … no Justice Roberts … no Justice Alito. That’s why it’s time for you to throw yourself wholeheartedly into making sure the Supreme Court’s disastrous 2007 decision results in a remarkable showing of pro-choice political power in 2008.

Donate now to help the Planned Parenthood Action Fund organize a sustained display of pro-choice political energy.
Never again can we let members of Congress use their votes to appease anti-choice extremists. Never again can we let U.S. senators pretend they believe a Supreme Court nominee’s empty promises. So here’s what we’re doing:

• We’re using the same organizing, media, and campaigning skills that helped us defeat the South Dakota abortion ban in the 2006 elections to challenge state legislators who are working feverishly to push through statewide abortion bans in places like Alabama, Georgia, Missouri, Oklahoma, and Texas.
• We’re pressing Congress for an immediate vote on the Freedom of Choice Act — legislation that would make it illegal for states to impose a reckless state-by-state patchwork of dangerous restrictions on a woman’s right to choose.
• And we’re organizing volunteers for the most massive voter outreach, voter education, and voter contact operation the pro-choice community has ever seen.

Here’s what I want to do. I want to organize. I want to connect with other women who live in my area to organize community based health education, including a comprehensive resource guide, and transportation to needed services (including Planned Parenthood, which is a two-hour drive from Hilo).I want to follow Paula Rojas’ example and work with the community to open a cooperative-run daycare. I want to create a sustainable women’s health fund.

Now tell me, Cecile Richards, how do I get all that started? How do I build community awareness so that we can decide collectively which projects are needed right now? (Because ultimately it could have nothing to do with women’s health… it could have to do with the ice epidemic, or affordable housing; maybe those issues need to be addressed first). This is what I mean, the first step. How can I find my community’s leaders and ask for their advice support? By giving you money? You are not the only one who can organize a voter education campaign. You cannot claim ‘ownership’ of defeating the South Dakota abortion ban. That was not Planned Parenthood. That was people.

Don’t put your hand out and tell me I’m helping. Teach me. Teach us.