Wandering Along the Path: Right Speech

The controversy around abortion has always been and always will be about the patriarchy.  Controlling women is its object.  To constantly remind us we do not have agency.  And until women figure this out, because men are never going to back off, then men will be telling women what to do with their bodies and lives.  I've fought for this right all my life, and now it is my daughters' and granddaughter's fight. Men are hurt by the patriarchy as much as women.  They are supposed to be John Wayne on steriods, and the full range of feelings and actions are discouraged.  They need to be freed as well.  A bunch of white men had their heyday, played war games and colonized, and it's time to be open to an inclusive, compassionate and freer world for everyone.  One way to fight this battle is to get as many guns out of circulation so that men can stop killing each other, killing their wives and children, and themselves.  Take away that power, and women would be more easily able to leave a batterer, walk down the street at night, go to college and pursue a career or whatever dream they have.  Men don't have to have only one feeling:  anger.  Underneath anger is fear, and what they fear is a world where kindness not power is the norm.  But it would be a more livable, nurturing world for both men and women.  Don't let politicians and CEOs and movies and TV tell you what you are.  Be the best you can be; your most complex, interesting, unique self.