[Peace-discuss] Re: [UCprogressives] Re: Pro-choice [wasRe: letter to my former comrades]

[Carl Estabrook]

You may well be right, Jen, that I have no understanding of how it feels
to be a woman -- despite wife, daughters, female relatives, students, and
close friends.  The same may be true of being black, despite similar
evidence.  But I think a certain solipsism is involved in the identity
politics' position that one cannot speak unless one is appropriately
female, black, a soldier -- or rich or poor.  And I reject that.

I contend that one of the best ways of being respectful of others is to
take their opinions seriously enough to disagree with them when you think
they're wrong.  Not to do so is patronizing.

Regards, Carl

On Tue, 16 Nov 2004, Jen Tayabji wrote:

> Carl--
>
> You obviously have no understanding of how it feels to be a woman and
> have some like you trying to force their opinion on others. It's one
> thing to voice your opinion while being respectful of others and
> allowing others to have an opinion. It's another, like how you've been
> doing, to attack every person who differs from you on this issue.
>
> The continuation of this argument over abortion in the manner that it
> has been raised and will continue to be raised TRULY alienates others
> who may agree with AWARE's mission of anti-war and anti-racism effort.
> And it will hinder individuals and organizations from working with AWARE
> in the future. I know I personally am less inclined to be involved after
> reading all the hostile attacks against those who support a women's
> right to choose.
>
> All this energy could be put to doing good work in our community and NOT
> into attacking those with differing views on birth control and abortion.
> It's a shame to see this energy being wasted.
>
> Sincerely, Jen Tayabji IDF Executive Director
>