Famous Speeches: Because We're Women by Joyce Stevens

Because women's work is never done and is underpaid or unpaid or boring or repetitious ... and we're the first to get the sack ... and what we look like is more important than what we do ... and if we get raped it's our fault ... and if we get bashed we must have provoked it ... and if we raise our voices we're nagging bitches ... and if we enjoy sex we're nymphos ... and if we don't we're frigid ... and if we love women it's because we can't get a 'real' man ... and if we ask our doctor too many questions we're neurotic and/or pushy ... and if we expect community care for children we're selfish ... and if we stand up for our rights we're aggressive and 'unfeminine' ... and if we don't we're typical weak females ... and if we want to get married we're out to trap a man ... and if we don't we're unnatural ... and because we still can't get an adequate safe contraceptive but men can walk on the moon ... and if we can't cope or don't want a pregnancy we're made to feel guilty about abortion ... and … for lots and lots of other reasons we are part of the women's liberation movement.

~ Joyce Stevens, 1975

Joyce Stevens is an Australian author, feminist and communist. I'm not sure how much I agree or disagree with her political views and much has changed since 1975, but her words are difficult to ignore. No matter who you are or what you do, there is always going to be someone out there trying to label you and condemn you for it. So stand up for what you believe in, stand up for the rights of others and don't let others label you or push you around.

Comments

Andrew Leon said…
Did you see Joss Whedon's "feminist" thing that's been all over the place the last few days?
9 November 2013 at 16:25
Kathryn White said…
No, it didn't make much impact this side of the equator.

From what I can gather, Whedon hates the label "feminist"?
9 November 2013 at 16:44
Andrew Leon said…
I'll see if I can a link for you. What he says is interesting in how it deals with labeling.
9 November 2013 at 16:45
Kathryn White said…
Wonderful, I'd be quite interested to see what he says.
9 November 2013 at 17:01
Andrew Leon said…
You can check it out here:
http://jezebel.com/watch-joss-whedon-make-the-perfect-speech-about-the-wor-1460080685
13 November 2013 at 05:15
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