This years' question disappoints me however. I received an email from the organizers of Blog for Choice day, and was asked to reflect on this question in my post
What will you do to help elect pro-choice candidates in 2012?
First of all, Blog for Choice day is the anniversary of the American Roe vs. Wade court decision, so it makes sense that it is a very US-centric day, but, in light of the American election in 2012, this question becomes especially important to many American pro-choice activists and much less relevant to those of us who do not live in a country that has a major election of any kind coming up (yes, I know we can continue to lobby and whatnot after an election, but that isn't helping candidates).
Anyway, the question becomes even more frustrating and problematic for people who do not support the supposedly democratic political system. I, personally, think that the electoral system is a joke... I believe that by giving us two (or three or even five) candidates, and calling a select group of people citizens and allowing them to vote, it presents the illusion that we actually have a choice. But if you look at the candidates, we are basically selecting from A, A or A.... maybe NDP or Green party candidates can sometimes make up something that almost represents choice B in Canada, but in very limited ways. The way politics is currently organized upholds heterosexist, racist, patriarchal capitalist social relations. Anyway, this critique is not new, so I won't go into any more detail on it right now.
But to answer the question, what will I do to help pro-choice candidates (or members of parliament) in 2012? Absolutely nothing. I will, however, continue to write letters to newspapers and giving presentations as well as helping to organize and attend rallies when I believe it is useful to do so (such as on this and this occasion). I will continue to blog about the importance of choice. I will also continue to call out Harper (here and here) when he makes asshole decisions that affect women's ability to access abortion all the while saying that he will not bring up the abortion debate in parliament. But I will not help political candidates because I refuse to participate and further legitimize what I think is an illegitimate system.
Also, here is a cute failbook picture because it makes me happy.
Do you vote?
ReplyDeleteI have voted. I have also shown up to be told I couldn't vote because I had 'no fixed address'. Last provoncial election, I rejected my ballot. At the federal I voted strategically for NDP (afraid of Harper majority). I guess I take it case by case. I feel like by refusing the ballot, they get the message that I am not apathetic, but don't like the choices, but I'm not sure it sends the same message as vote with your feet does. I guess I'm afraid to vote but afraid not to!
ReplyDeleteI don't know much about Canadian politics (being from Germany), but I get where you're coming from. Refusing the ballot is definitely better than not going at all. I guess I was just looking for an opportunity to share this article I read some days ago ;)
ReplyDeletehttp://meloukhia.net/2012/01/vote_in_local_elections_it_matters.html
It was V.I. Lenin who once wrote that the essence of capitalist democracy is that "the oppressed are allowed once every few years to decide which particular representatives of the oppressing class shall represent and repress them in parliament." This seems to fit here, although I'm sure that-- despite their myopia-- we all wish our U.S. sisters well in their fight to control their own reproductive systems..these are frightening times to be a sane progressive in America.
ReplyDelete