Read about us! Yourself! Activistas! We submitted an article to the Mothers Movement Online for its April/May issue because the topic was the current status of this thing called the 'mothers movement.' It's called One City. One Blog. A Whole Lotta Mamas. And they published it. And added a subtitle: The Activistas are ready for the revolution. A compliment, to be sure. But are we? Really?
According to the MMO's founder and editor, Judith Stadtman Tucker, what is needed now is not more talk (though I do love that part!), but action, straight-up political organizing, real work toward concrete change. Like national paid leave that actually pays enough to keep mamas at home with their babies until their scars heal. Like truly flexible work. Like universal health care so the amount of time we have outside work to spend with our children isn't dictated by the need for health care. And I could go on, mamas, like all day.
Be sure to read Judith's piece, Power in a Movement, where she sounds the wake-up call. She's hard-hitting, but right-on, I think. In short, she says: Enough talk, already. It's time for the mothers' movement to get organized - or risk missing our window of opportunity. And here's a tidbit to lure you into her thoughts on how to shift from talk to action:
Reader, I must tell you that a change has come over me. I'm no longer satisfied with writing and talking about the mothers' movement and the values and policy priorities of a caring society (and what it will take to move the United States in that direction). I'm tired of dissecting the relationship between motherhood ideology, conflicts in feminism, and opportunities and barriers to organizing mothers for political action -- so tired of it that just writing this sentence makes my head hurt. I, for one, am ready to move on to the next phase. I want to get the job done. And I have some ideas about how we can get started.
But if you don't have time to get to the denouement on page 4 (though I highly recommend it), allow me:
I began this essay by insisting that it's time for the mothers' movement to make the transition from facilitating talk to organizing action -- and 4,000 words later, I've finally run out of things to say. There are no insurmountable obstacles to prevent the mothers' movement from making the leap to a full-fledged social movement -- but we have our work cut out for us, and we need all the help we can get.
Meanwhile, I'd like to propose that mothers and others who want to keep the conversation going start thinking and talking about this: What is one action you can take today, tomorrow, or next week that would force you to step out of your personal comfort zone? (Sorry, it has to be something related to change work, not signing up for pole dancing classes or taking sky diving lessons.) Extra points for trying something that involves face-to-face contact with other people, but whatever action you decide to take, aim for something that feels a little bit risky or challenging. Oh yeah, then you have to go out and do it (but you don't have to go it alone -- recruit a friend or two to join you). Did I happen to mention that this is an election year? If you've never volunteered for a voter registration drive or election campaign before, now might be a good time to give it a shot.
Waddya say, mamas? ARE we ready for the revolution? Are you? What will you do to step outside that comfort zone?
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