Lucas: Women have nothing to lose but their gains
In the evolving landscape of women’s rights, the call for a new slogan has emerged, challenging the established phrase “Women’s rights are human rights.” The article proposes a fresh rallying cry: “Women of the world, unite. You have nothing to lose but your gains.” This reimagined slogan, inspired by Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels’ famous quote, seeks to address the current complexities within the women’s movement, especially in light of recent developments in Massachusetts politics. The article highlights the controversy surrounding Governor Maura Healey’s appointment of Giselle Byrd, a transgender woman, to the Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Women. Critics argue that Byrd’s appointment undermines the commission’s original mission to advocate for biological women, especially as discussions about a separate commission for transgender issues arise.
The reaction to Byrd’s appointment has been mixed, with some women’s rights activists remaining silent, while others, like Republican state Rep. Alyson Sullivan-Almeida, have voiced their concerns. Sullivan-Almeida questions the decision to appoint Byrd when there are millions of qualified biological women in Massachusetts. The article notes that Byrd’s appointment is significant, as she is the first African American transgender person to serve on the commission, yet it has not garnered public endorsement from the Massachusetts Caucus of Women Legislators. This situation reflects a broader tension within the women’s movement, as it navigates the intersection of gender identity and the rights of biological women.
The author also points out the unique political landscape of Massachusetts, where women hold the majority of top statewide offices. With a female governor, attorney general, and other key positions occupied by women, the state is described as a “matriarchal state.” This dominance raises questions about the future of gender representation in politics and whether a separate commission for men might soon be proposed. Ultimately, the article emphasizes the need for the women’s movement to reassess its goals and slogans in a rapidly changing societal context, where the definitions of gender and rights are continuously evolving. As the discourse around women’s rights becomes increasingly complex, the movement may need to unite under a more inclusive and forward-thinking banner that addresses the diverse needs of all individuals who identify as women.
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
