Lucas: Women have nothing to lose but their gains
In a thought-provoking article, veteran political reporter Peter Lucas argues that the Women’s Movement requires a fresh slogan to reflect the evolving landscape of gender rights and representation. He suggests adopting a rallying cry inspired by Karl Marx’s famous line, “Women of the world, unite. You have nothing to lose but your gains.” This reimagining of the classic slogan underscores the need for women’s rights advocates to reassess their priorities in light of recent developments, particularly the appointment of Giselle Byrd, a transgender woman, to the Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Women by Governor Maura Healey. Lucas highlights the tension surrounding Byrd’s appointment, which has sparked debate within the women’s rights community about representation and the potential dilution of women’s achievements in the face of broader gender inclusivity.
The article delves into the reactions to Byrd’s appointment, which has not garnered unanimous support among women’s rights activists. Critics, including Republican state Rep. Alyson Sullivan-Almeida, question why a biological woman was not appointed to the commission, given that there are millions of qualified candidates in Massachusetts. This controversy is compounded by pending legislation that seeks to establish a separate commission focused on transgender issues, raising concerns that such a move could undermine the existing women’s commission and its mission. Lucas notes that while Byrd’s appointment is significant—being the first African American transgender person on the commission—it has yet to receive backing from the Massachusetts Caucus of Women Legislators, highlighting the complexities and divisions within the movement.
Furthermore, Lucas paints a picture of Massachusetts as a “matriarchal state,” where women hold a preeminent position in governance, with five out of six top statewide offices occupied by women. This dominance raises questions about the future of gender representation and whether there will soon be calls for a separate commission to address men’s issues. As the conversation continues, Lucas emphasizes that the Women’s Movement must evolve to address contemporary challenges, suggesting that a new slogan could encapsulate the need for unity and vigilance in protecting the hard-won gains of women while navigating the complexities of gender identity and representation. The article ultimately calls for a re-examination of priorities within the movement, urging activists to unite and advocate for all women, regardless of their backgrounds or identities.
The Women’s Movement needs a new slogan.
“Women’s rights are human rights” is all right as far as it goes. But in these changing times, does it go far enough?
With all deference to Karl Marx and his rabble-rousing buddy Friedrich Engels, a new slogan should go something like this: “Women of the world, unite. You have nothing to lose but your gains.”
The quote is a knock-off from their Communist Manifesto, which called for a worldwide communist revolution to free workers from the oppressive boot of capitalism.
The rallying cry came from a pair of guys who never had a real job between them. Marx was a sometime journalist, which, as everybody knows, is not a real job, and Engels was the son of a rich mill owner.
The actual quote, which in 1848 shook the capitalist world, was, “Workers of the world, unite. You have nothing to lose but your chains.”
But why quibble?
The issue is the local reaction — or lack thereof — among women’s rights activists over Gov. Maura Healey’s appointment of Giselle Byrd, a former man, to the state’s Commission on the Status of Women. Byrd is the executive director of a regional theater company.
The 19-member commission, created in 1998, is, according to its website, “dedicated to the advancing of women’s rights and opportunities, promoting equality and providing a voice for women and girls across the state.”
It does not say anything about people born as men, as Byrd was, transitioning into a woman.
The flap over the appointment, which was made in August, came to the forefront in view of pending legislation, filed by Sen. Patricia Jehlen of Somerville, that would create a separate commission on transgender people.
Some believe that such a commission would weaken the authority and the gains made by the existing women’s commission.
Others like Republican state Rep. Alyson Sullivan-Almeida of Plymouth told the Herald that Healey’s appointment of Byrd “makes no sense” in the first place.
She asked, “Out of nearly three and a half million biological girls and women in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Gov. Healey couldn’t identify a qualified biological woman to appoint to the Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Women?”
Of course she could, but she appointed Byrd anyway, pointing out that former Gov. Charlie Baker appointed a transgender woman to the commission in 2016.
Byrd, the second appointee, is, however, the first African American transgender person to be named to the commission.
While popular in some quarters, the Byrd appointment has yet to be publicly endorsed by the Massachusetts Caucus of Women Legislators, a bipartisan group made up of female members of the House and Senate.
All the talk of the appointment of Byrd to the women’s commission may be academic anyway.
Face it. We live in a one-party, matriarchal state to begin with — the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, now known as Massachusetts the Matriarchal State.
Women run the state.
Things are so one-sided that some solon will soon be filing legislation calling for the creation of a Commission on the Status of Men.
Consider that five of the six top statewide offices are held by women. They are Gov. Healey, the state’s first openly gay governor; Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll, Attorney General Andrea Campbell, state Treasurer Deborah Goldberg, and state Auditor Diana DiZoglio.
There is also Senate President Karen Spilka and Boston Mayor Michelle Wu.
The only guy hanging around is Secretary of State Billy Galvin, 74, and it is only a matter of time before a woman, transgender or not, takes him out.
Not that there is anything wrong with it.
Yeah, right.
Veteran political reporter Peter Lucas can be reached at: peter.lucas@bostonherald.com
