Lucas: Women have nothing to lose but their gains
The ongoing evolution of the women’s rights movement has sparked a call for a fresh slogan that resonates with the complexities of contemporary gender issues. The phrase “Women’s rights are human rights” has served as a foundational tenet, but as society grapples with nuanced discussions surrounding gender identity, some argue that this slogan may no longer suffice. Drawing inspiration from Karl Marx’s rallying cry in the Communist Manifesto, the proposed new slogan—“Women of the world, unite. You have nothing to lose but your gains”—aims to encapsulate the urgency and stakes involved in the current discourse. This adaptation highlights the need for women to unite in the face of potential threats to their rights and advancements, particularly as discussions around transgender rights intersect with those of biological women.
The recent appointment of Giselle Byrd, a transgender woman, to the Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Women has ignited controversy and debate within the women’s rights community. Critics, including Republican state Rep. Alyson Sullivan-Almeida, have questioned the decision, suggesting that with millions of biological women in Massachusetts, the governor could have chosen a qualified cisgender woman instead. This appointment comes at a time when there is proposed legislation to create a separate commission focused on transgender issues, raising concerns among some activists that this could dilute the focus and achievements of the existing women’s commission. Byrd’s appointment is significant as she is the first African American transgender individual to hold a position on the commission, yet it has not received unanimous support from the Massachusetts Caucus of Women Legislators, indicating a divide in perspectives on gender representation and rights.
Massachusetts has emerged as a matriarchal state, with women holding key leadership positions across government, including the governor and several statewide offices. This dominance of female leadership raises questions about the future dynamics of gender politics and representation. As the state navigates these complicated waters, the discourse around the rights of women and transgender individuals continues to evolve. The discussion around Byrd’s appointment and the potential establishment of a separate commission for transgender individuals underscores the need for a cohesive and inclusive approach to advocacy that honors the achievements of women while recognizing the rights of all gender identities. As the women’s movement seeks to redefine its messaging, it must balance the progress made with the ongoing struggle for equality in a rapidly changing social landscape.
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
