Wandering Along the Path: Right Speech

We did get rain yesterday, and the mountains got snow, so every bit helps. I am reading a book "Hood Feminism" which is very bracing and passionate, and totally convincing. It takes white feminists to task who have not examined how their assumptions indicate their priviledge not reality. I ran into this when I worked in safehouses for battered women. A counselor would criticize the nutrition of the client's kids, not realizing that poor people do not have the luxury of salads and fresh fruit. I had to explain that our job was to support women, not lecture them. Not fix them either, because they were in life and death situations, and the last thing a battered woman needs is more judgement heaped upon her. And when we received donations of clothes, many donations had see through negligees and dress up heels and other useless items. What were they thinking? I cannot tell you how many middle class women have told me they'd be "outta there" the first time they were hit. Outta there to where? Where is the housing, the job, the support? Nobody leaves after one incident, not even rich women. We have to face what these women are facing with compassion, encouragement and tons of support. So this book I'm reading is a breath of fresh air, and if women really strive for solidarity, they will have to face class and race issues, and wake up.