Posted on 03/08/2017 11:26:28 PM PST by 2ndDivisionVet
Solidarity struck home Wednesday as International Women’s Day was also dubbed "Day Without A Woman,” a general strike introduced by the organizers of the Women’s March on Washington. This action follows last month’s a Day Without Immigrants, where over 20 local businesses closed their storefronts.
According to the organization’s website, women were encouraged to participate by taking the day off from both paid and unpaid work; refrain from shopping with exceptions made of purchases from small, women – and minority-owned businesses; in addition to wearing red in a show of support.
As a self-employed business owner recovering from a recent injury, this reporter unfortunately cannot afford to skip a day of work. Had I not had an injured knee, I would’ve planned on attending at least one event tonight. However, I’m not the only one in Philadelphia conflicted about not participating in today’s international strike.
Melanie Bavaria, also a freelance journalist, explained, “If I worked in an office or a work environment where my lack of presence would make a difference, then I would totally be down to participate, but in my current situation it's [like losing] money.”
“I go to Chester County Prison to do medicaid applications for inmates that are being released and I won't be able to take off,” says Karla Martin, who works in community engagement at a health nonprofit but also organizes for the Party for Socialism and Liberation. “Nonetheless, I believe striking is a powerful tool we have to build grassroots movements and alternative power to the ruling class. International Women's Day was founded by socialists.”
Lindsay Patton-Carson, vice president of customer engagement at a small Center City startup, noted, “The company [I work for] is owned and run by women, so I feel conflicted about protesting.” For instance, back in January, her boss allowed her to take off to attend the Women’s March in Washington, DC.
Lindsey Nice, a digital project manager for a small business, expressed a similar sentiment.
“I'm not sure what to do about avoiding unpaid work, because my household consists of only women and genderqueer folks,” Nice added. “I don't think abstaining from unpaid work would accomplish anything for me personally.”
The Philadelphia Federation of Teachers (PFT) also expressed solidarity as the union plans to use the occasion to highlight the school district’s refusal to negotiate fair pay for educators.
Mind you, many of whom have gone five years or more without a raise.
In an editorial for the Notebook, PFT President Jerry Jordan explained disrespecting teachers is synonymous with disrespecting women.
“In a profession that is dominated by women, it should be appalling to us all that for five years, educators across the city (most of whom are women) and the students they serve have borne on their shoulders the burden of systemic disinvestment in our public schools,” Jordan wrote.
Many of these same women will take part in planned community events to voice their concerns. At 5:30 p.m., Philly Socialists plan to hold an International Women’s Day Protest beginning in Logan Square, stopping at several symbolic locations along the way, and ending at Thomas Paine Plaza with a speaker-led discussion.
Additionally, Underground Arts (1200 Callowhill St.) will host a benefit concert for Crossroads Women’s Center featuring Louie Louie, Queen of Jeans, Manic Pixie, and other musical acts later that night at 7:30 p.m.
They should try again next week. Maybe it will be better. And then, maybe try again. ???
They must have been beside themselves. I said 'beside themselves'!
Thank you very much!
She's the boss, by the way.
What is “genderqueer”? I’m guessing it is a man that thinks it’s a woman?
Found the definition. I think “genderconfused” would be more apt. :
A person who does not subscribe to conventional gender distinctions but identifies with neither, both, or a combination of male and female genders.
The other day I read an article that said something like “Mindy, a waitress that self identifies as an artist thinks that.....”
It sounds like buzzwords for reality tv. I imagine it involves lots of promiscuity, multiple boyfriends per week, “oh no, not another STD *cries*” coming from the other room, heavy drinking/drug use and then trying to talk each other out of suicide on a weekly basis.
IWD has been a Communist holiday for a hundred years.
Scratch the surface of a lib, find a pinko Commie useful idiot.
“I go to Chester County Prison to do medicaid applications for inmates that are being released and I won’t be able to take off,”
She works for the poverty industrial complex; of course she isn’t taking off - she’d be helping taxpayers...
Oh NO!!!!
They’re *conflicted*!!
Whatever are they going to do?
The fact that they are even thinking about this proves they are insane.
It was a flop. In New York a report said, “Hundreds were gathered” HUNDREDS? in NYC? Really? Are they sure it wasn’t an opening of a new nail salon the media was covering?
Wow, this reporter went all out. Two of her interview subjects were fellow journalists. What, did she lean back in her chair to the next desk and conduct an interview?
I self-identify as a billionaire and a young beauty queen. Oh, wait, that’s called fantasy.
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