By Barbara Smith,
Blogger and Social Justice Activist,
https://www.facebook.com/HWdemocrats/
The Stepford Wives Bake-off!
I came across the above event link on the Hamilton Wenham community face book page.
SUNDAY, JULY 24, 2022 AT 10 AM – 2 PM
BAKE BACK YOUR RIGHTS! Reproductive Rights Bake Sale
151 Main Street, Wenham
Event by Hamilton-Wenham Human Rights Coalition
151 Main Street, Wenham
Duration: 4 hours
BAKE BACK YOUR RIGHTS!! In partnership with Bakers Against Racism, the HWHRC is hosting a Reproductive Rights Bake Sale. All proceeds will be donated to the Women’s Reproductive Rights Assistance Project.(WRRAP). #ReproductiveRightsAreHumanRights#HWHumanRights
First of all- It’s too hot to bake, so why have a baking event, why now?
While I’ve been donating money for decades to Planned Parenthood and NARAL- I have never heard of the Women’s Reproductive Rights Assistance Project which is located in LA. Bakers against Racism is located in Washington, DC so why not donate to the local North Shore NAACP, instead?
so here is what I learned….
The Women’s Reproductive Rights Assistance Project (WRRAP) is in California and they meet Anna Siedzik’s demands to honor native Americans.
“Our office is located in Los Angeles, California, the traditional lands of the Gabrielino/Tongva peoples. We acknowledge with gratitude the Traditional Custodians of this land and pay our respects to their Elders, past and present.“
They seem to be a legitimate Pro-Choice, Outfit that assists women in finding funding, a clinic etc. But wouldn’t Massachusetts women be better served by Massachusetts Planned Parenthood since this event is in Massachusetts?
However, how can the WRRAP service “women” if the term “women” is taboo?
Hamilton Wenham Human Rights coalition leader, Anna Siedzik explained to me that the term “women” is insulting to Trans people. In fact, she called me a TERF because I support “WOMEN” and want them included as a protected class in the Hamilton Human Rights Commission policy . Maybe we should eliminate that bad word and call the WRRAP the Born Cisgender female and Trans Men’s Reproductive Rights Assistance Project.
Just to clarify, “women” are not like broccoli or carrots. Women and Trans men have vaginas that make them vulnerable to rape and forced birth. There is a War against Women’s rights in America and the Coalition appears to be part of it….. Atheism is not a religion and the faith-based HWHRC denies my need as a woman and an atheist for human rights protection. http://hamiltonwenhamliberals.com/hamilton-democratic-committee/protecting-atheists-and-human-rights/
It’s hypocritical to use the term “women” when it suits the HWHRC and call me a TERF when I use that word “woman” when they want to shut me down.
Here’s what I think is happening…
- The faith based, political lobby, Hamilton Wenham Human Rights Coalition leaders know that Pro-Choice values are extremely popular in Massachusetts and therefore, they need to take some type of stance, especially since I keep questioning their silence. The Coalition controls almost all elected officials , as well as the Hamilton and Wenham Democratic Town Committees and are thrilled that their people are pushing religious flags and the waste of time discussions about them in our public sphere. If you don’t believe me- just watch the Select Board video on this post. http://hamiltonwenhamliberals.com/hamilton-democratic-committee/hamilton-select-board-wants-religious-flags/
2. The Coalition pledging, state representative Jamie Belsito was just shocked that Roe was overturned, especially since she was born the same year that Roe was passed…
However, it is no surprise to any aware and thinking American, especially women, that there has been a War Against Women (this includes Trans men with vaginas) and their bodily autonomy FOREVER. Maybe Belsito didn’t notice this because she was a Republican until she realized that she could more easily win office in Massachusetts if she became a Democrat. After Belsito pledged loyalty to the Coalition, she won Anna Siedzik’s endorsement on behalf of the Coalition, enabling her to receive “dark money” donations for her campaign. http://hamiltonwenhamliberals.com/hamilton-democratic-committee/what-is-a-501-c-4-and-its-impact-on-hamilton-ma/
3. The faith based Coalition doesn’t want to offend their many Anti-Reproductive choice members, so rather than come right out loud and clear saying WE NEED TO ELECT PRO CHOICE CANDIDATES , OR DONATE MONEY TO THE LOCAL AND EFFECTIVE Massachusetts Pro-Choice Organizations such as Planned Parenthood, they will donate whatever meager profits results from a summer bake sale…. They put the focus on baking because it looks like FUN!
4. So why is the Hamilton Wenham Human Rights Coalition and both the Hamilton and Wenham Democratic Town Committees silent when it comes to supporting Hamilton resident PRO-CHOICE candidate for state representative Kristin Kassner???? The Democratic committees exist for one purpose and that is to elect DEMOCRATS, not push the Coalition’s agenda.
5. While Jamie Belsito claims to be concerned about the religious right, WE SHOULD be terrified of the extremist, religious cult controlling Hamilton and Wenham.
So…. to bake or not to bake?
Gloria Steinem approves of WRRAP…
“A freedom is no freedom unless it can be exercised. WRRAP is often the one link between women and a choice that would otherwise remain only on paper. I’m proud to support WRRAP — and you will be, too.”
— GLORIA STEINEM,WOMEN’S RIGHTS ADVOCATE& EPIC FEMINIST
If Gloria Steinem approves of WRRAP, then its probably a legit organization out there in LA. I you want to bake with the other Stepford wives go right ahead. But Gloria would tell Anna that women deserve human rights policy protected class status. Please listen to her…..
Baking with girlfriends sounds fun, BUT……
Consider Donating Locally without baking (we don’t really know where the political lobby will use that money, anyway!)
Here are just a few local organizations to support.
https://www.plannedparenthood.org/planned-parenthood-massachusetts
https://www.prochoiceamerica.org/fight-back-for-our-freedom/
https://www.voteprochoice.us/endorsed-candidates-2022