Memories of Morgentaler

 

Doctor Morgentaler fought for reproductive rights in Canada.

Today I heard that SCOTUS have struck down Roe vs. Wade. This is quite disturbing as abortion rights are essentially about bodily autonomy, something that many Women in the United States are sorely lacking. 

I'm pro-choice and I always have been, ever since I started thinking for myself and not what organized religions were preaching. I have always deferred to the woman - it's her body & her decision after all.

Maslow

I've been thinking a lot about Maslow's hierarchy of needs lately, and how it seems to be a constant struggle for those who are disabled to achieve basic needs, much less self-actualization.

I recall my naivety while reviewing this model in college & thinking that society was constantly learning and improving and we were striving to meet the needs of all of our people. It's 30 years later and I'm still trying to get the first 4 cylinders of this thing to fire in unison.

Reform & Alliance

The current Conservative party in Canada were a merger of the former Reform & Alliance party.

So if it doesn't feel like today's conservatives have a heart, they don't. The Federal PCs are dead. These are US styled Republicans they snuck in through the back door.

Racism

Lack of empathy & compassion for those who are "different" is the culmination of indoctrination (or even worse) an upbringing fostered on misdirected rage: "If I can't have the things that make me happy, I'm going to take your happiness from you."

As long as people believe that they are "different" from "other people", there's potential for racism. The trick is to realize that different doesn't always mean something is better or worse - sometimes they're just different. That's how racism works - thinking you're better.