Thursday, March 04, 2004
Girl Scouts Victim to the Conservative Revolution
So, Sara brought this to my attention. I put the title on it. But I thought I would break my blogging silence with a scream against all of the forces of oppression that are being elevated in the US. Here is a link to the article:
Some Texans Boycott Girl Scout Cookies
READ THE ARTICLE FIRST and then read a letter that Sara wrote in response. I think what she has to say is very relevant and eloquently expressed. It is time for people to understand that the relative morality preached by conservative Christians is not equipped to deal with the very complex, diverse, and troubled social reality. Let's end the witchhunt. And now, without further adieu, Sara's letter (which is much more diplomatic than my own rants.):
I just read the US National AP article from March 3rd about the "Texans Boycott Girl Scout Cookies" issue. As a socio-politically minded woman who sees herself as a feminist, and a former girlscout of five years, I want to say that I commend the Texas troups for attempting to provide a healthy, positive, safe environment for girls to learn about sexual health and their bodies. That age is where questions arise, and often the only safe source for discussion is a community of equally ignorant peers.
This is a women's issue - women need access to this information, and to be able to feel guiltless and unashamed with the discussion of it. The quote from parent Shannon Donaldson, "It embarrassed me to look at it with my husband", made me wish that someone had reached out to her earlier -
how sad to feel embarassed to discuss sex openly with your own husband!!
It is unfortunate that a specific group was able to disband a girl scout troop for political issues. I can understand that these discussions are not the choice for every family, and I respect that. But what
Pro-Life Waco director John Pisciotta and his followers did was teach these young women an unfortunate lesson early on. In my experience, girl scouts was the forum where we learned to organize, work as a team, share triumphs and setbacks, face adversity and come to believe in ourselves when so many other things in our life at that time had the ability to make us feel awkward and incapable. These single minded adults have succesfully broken a team, used the media to create shame, and worse of all, censored the distribution of valuable information.
I'm writing this, as someone who rarely writes letters in response to news or media, but as someone who's been truly upset to hear such a story. Besides the cookies and costumes, I do associate the Girl Scouts with positive images of female empowerment, bonding and fun. I'm writing this to show my support for the creative programming that the leaders of Troops 7527 and 7087 had devised and to support the Planned Parenthood organization which has helped so many people through the most difficult of times in their lives.
If there is a need for a public response to the actions taken in Waco, Texas, I will be happy to add my voice and comments in opposition to this oppression.
Thank you for taking the time to read my letter. I wish you all the best.
Some Texans Boycott Girl Scout Cookies
READ THE ARTICLE FIRST and then read a letter that Sara wrote in response. I think what she has to say is very relevant and eloquently expressed. It is time for people to understand that the relative morality preached by conservative Christians is not equipped to deal with the very complex, diverse, and troubled social reality. Let's end the witchhunt. And now, without further adieu, Sara's letter (which is much more diplomatic than my own rants.):
I just read the US National AP article from March 3rd about the "Texans Boycott Girl Scout Cookies" issue. As a socio-politically minded woman who sees herself as a feminist, and a former girlscout of five years, I want to say that I commend the Texas troups for attempting to provide a healthy, positive, safe environment for girls to learn about sexual health and their bodies. That age is where questions arise, and often the only safe source for discussion is a community of equally ignorant peers.
This is a women's issue - women need access to this information, and to be able to feel guiltless and unashamed with the discussion of it. The quote from parent Shannon Donaldson, "It embarrassed me to look at it with my husband", made me wish that someone had reached out to her earlier -
how sad to feel embarassed to discuss sex openly with your own husband!!
It is unfortunate that a specific group was able to disband a girl scout troop for political issues. I can understand that these discussions are not the choice for every family, and I respect that. But what
Pro-Life Waco director John Pisciotta and his followers did was teach these young women an unfortunate lesson early on. In my experience, girl scouts was the forum where we learned to organize, work as a team, share triumphs and setbacks, face adversity and come to believe in ourselves when so many other things in our life at that time had the ability to make us feel awkward and incapable. These single minded adults have succesfully broken a team, used the media to create shame, and worse of all, censored the distribution of valuable information.
I'm writing this, as someone who rarely writes letters in response to news or media, but as someone who's been truly upset to hear such a story. Besides the cookies and costumes, I do associate the Girl Scouts with positive images of female empowerment, bonding and fun. I'm writing this to show my support for the creative programming that the leaders of Troops 7527 and 7087 had devised and to support the Planned Parenthood organization which has helped so many people through the most difficult of times in their lives.
If there is a need for a public response to the actions taken in Waco, Texas, I will be happy to add my voice and comments in opposition to this oppression.
Thank you for taking the time to read my letter. I wish you all the best.
