My Country, My Choice

Throughout the election season, some politicians have made it very clear how they feel about women and our bodies. We’ve heard talk of “legitimate rape,” “forcible rape,” and magical pussies that can shut down to prevent a pregnancy caused by rape. Incredible. Other politicians believe that “some girls rape easy” and that rape pregnancies are a gift from God. It sounds like a Daily Show skit gone wrong but this is our unfortunate reality. And I haven’t even touched contraceptive access.

To counteract some of this malarkey, the Opportunity Agenda created this video, “My Country, My Choice” which gathers 27 women from New York City and asks the question: ”If you don’t trust me with my body, why should I trust you with my country?” It’s a non-partisan video and does not tell you who to vote for but asks women to think deeper about who they are voting for and how their platform will affect the decisions they will be able to legally make with their (our) bodies. Self disclosure: I’m in the video. My point is not to self-promote but to share something that not only I believe in but that is a critical question that us courted women voters must consider.

This video makes for great discussion (depending on your definition of “great”) but nonetheless it will stimulate thought and debate, so please share with both women and men. Also, make sure you’re educated about your candidates beyond the president. Often our state and local politicians make decisions that have a more notable impact on our daily lives. Check out this excellent non-partisan guide at Project Vote Smart.