I just don’t get the feminists

Katha Pollitt uses the opportunity of Terri Schiavo’s misfortune to criticize the “religious right,” even to the point of putting Jessie Jackson into that category because he chose to try and save Terri’s life.

What I don’t get is this. Here is a young 26-year old woman, who of course left no living will. Her husband wins a huge malpractice settlement supposedly for her care and rehabilitation and then as soon as the money hits his bank account decides not only is he not going to rehabilitate her, but he is not going to do anything to prolong her life either, including not treating UTIs, or brushing her teeth (Terri had 5 teeth pulled because of neglect) and eventually starving her to death.

If Terri had been rich, if she had been prettier, if she had been a well known, outspoken pro-choice advocate, if she hadn’t been Catholic, if she had been any of those things, I can’t imagine that the feminists would stand for her being abused and neglected by a group of men, starting with her husband, going through a Republican Judge, and a “gosh she looks pretty while she’s dying” death-loving attorney!

What Terri had going against her is she was physically and mentally disabled. And worse, she had been a practicing Catholic whose parents still followed the faith. So not only could she never be used as a spokesperson or mascot for any of the favorite feminist planks (abortion, contraception, etc etc.) but she would never look good in a business suit or a bathing suit, certainly not in a wheelchair with her hands and legs twisted and convulsed. In fact, I think most of the feminist movement took a big step or two backward from Terri Schiavo because, as Ms. Pollitt reminds us, that could be any of us!! Perish the thought.

And I think from there we can see how culture of death got a toehold on this case and was unable to move or stir many on the left side of the aisle. Disability is a reminder that we are mortal. That our bodies will fail. That life will end. It takes the focus off of having a good time and being happy now and I think for many folks that’s just something they don’t want to deal with. Terri Schiavo was the reminder. Michael Schiavo was the saint for trying to get rid of her.

Maybe I do get it.

Please feel free to leave a comment under the posting, or sign my Spiritbook (guestbook). You can chat with me on the tag board to the right!