Reproductive Justice and New Jersey

This blog will focus on reproductive justice issues in the state of New Jersey, and beyond. The term reproductive justice was coined by women of color, specifically the amazing women from SisterSong. The term is meant to be an expansion of the reproductive rights paradigm which focuses on the issues of birth control and abortion rights.
Reproductive Justice uses the experiences of women of color as the point of entry to discuss issues of reproductive rights and health. This shift in center more clearly puts into focus the ways that the interrelated systems of race, class, gender, and sexual orientation work to limit women's ability to gain and maintain control of their reproductive lives.
The reproductive justice framework facilitates a more nuanced discussion of issues such as access to abortion, health care, birthing, the right to reproductive health, eugenics, population control, and the many reproductive technologies that exist. I have great respect for the women who claimed the term Reproductive Justice and use it with care, especially as a white woman who has worked hard to understand the ways white privilege has affected her life and choices.

I look forward to an open dialogue about important issues in our community, and welcome comments both critical and affirming.


Saturday, August 14, 2010

New Jersians do their Organizing in Diners.



Diners are quintessintial New Jersey.  Open 24 hours with vast menus as big as bibles. The ability to eat anything from breakfast to seafood at any time of the day.  Some of them even serve alchol.


The Tic Toc Diner on Route 3 was the location of our first Roe v. Wade Anniverserary Celebration Committee Meeting.  There were 6 of us present, three from the New Jersey Relegious Colalition for Reproductive Choice and three from the fledgling New Jersey Abortion Access Fund.


There are a few things you should know about this group:


* We are a lot of fun!  Most people hold a stereotype of feminists and abortion rights activists as angry, man-hating, barren women...NOT TRUE!  This was a wonderful time with a group of great women.


*Three of us are named "Carol." This tells you something about the age of the women in the group. Most of the women I know in the reproductive rights and reproductive justice movements no longer have functioning uteruses.. meaning, they are past the age where they would be reproducing. But they fight this fight because they remeber a time women abotion wasn't legal, and because they understand that even today, quality reprodictive health care is out of reach for many. 


* We are serious.  I am more than confident that this small group of women will pull off a major event!


Our tentative date is January 22, a Saturday and the actual anniversary of Roe V. Wade. We are in the process of figuring out what the playoff (football) schedule will be so as not to interfere with people's game watching extravaganzas.  We are also trying to identify key note speakers, as well as reproducitive justice champions to give awards to.  Please post your ideas and thoughts, and save the weekend of January 22, for either a Saturday or Sunday late afternoon/early evening celebration in honor of Roe V. Wade, one piece of the reproductive justice puzzle!
Posted by Mandy Restivo at 8:16 AM

2 comments:

  1. AnonymousAugust 20, 2010 at 9:04 AM

    I will definitely mark my calendar! That sounds great. I also love that you celebrated at Tick Tock! Nothing like honoring a historically significant event with disco fries! :)

    ReplyDelete
  2. Mandy RestivoAugust 25, 2010 at 6:34 PM

    Thanks Mel, the food is great and we are meeting again on Tuesday. Hopefully we will have a solid date shortly!

    ReplyDelete

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