Victor and all,
I can not help but respond to this. Some of you will see my response as negative, others as offensive, and a very few, as honest, authentic, and right on.
I'd like to try to soften all and any reactions for what is worth by sharing that I have spent fourteen years in offices, assemblies, workshops, courts, and other places, as a mediator listening (in many venues) to people "explain" themselves and their reason for their behaviors.
I for one am tired of the labels minority, protected class, gender oppressed and a host of others that I am not going to waste yours, mine or anyone else's time listing.
In today's world, where more is spent on defense than on homelessness, and even more is spent on political campaigns than on those who don't have food to eat, one doesn't have to look far to see the worlds priorities are somewhat misaligned.
That said, I would no more supports an advocacy group that would call itself "The Ovarian Psychos" or "Plan B Ladies, Trans and Sissies". Those very names are offensive to me, let alone millions (I'd bet) that are theoretically described by those names or labels as they would be properly called.
Perhaps the one label I wear proudly is that of cyclist. I ride with many, of all genders, races, cultures, and sexual preferences, as well as life style choices. Really, I could give a rats ass in you know where what anyone's choices are with regards to those labels. I care only that they like me, enjoy a ride, and off we go. This attitude has brought me new experiences, new friends, and best of all, new knowledge. Knowledge that reinforces my stance here.
If we are to label one another in terms of gender preference, sexual preference or racial character, then we acknowledge that we have a bias...to that label or we would not accept it. If we do that, then we fan the fires of bias and conversely indicate our prejudice. If you are one, than you are the other, and then you become part of the problem, not part of the solution.
I do not thing this matter belongs as a subset of cycling. Perhaps blended populations should be. Perhaps world peace should be. Perhaps feeding the world population should be. Perhaps exposing one or another group that seem underrepresented in cycling should be, but it should not be the other way around as you are advocating for.
Cycling is for just about everyone, and at some point in time, if we can create the accessibility that we need to be focused on, if we can create the motivational messages that we should be focused on, if we can create the understanding that we should be focused on, then one day is might be everyone, rather than just about everyone.
I can support or ask anyone to advocate or support what you are suggesting here, nor do I thing the subject line is fitting. This is not supportive of women, its supportive of a very unique and niche group of women, whom do not and should not enjoy the support of the majority of women. By adopting the label, name if you will they have, they demean the larger population of females in the world.
Again, this is my thoughts based on a life time of promoting understanding and communication between all people of the planet and just hopefully, beyond.
Happy New Year Everyone.
Sincerely,
Matt Fenichel
-----Original Message-----_______________________________________________
From: mustafaa ali <ali.mustafaa@gmail.com>
To: The Think Tank <thethinktank@lists.bikecollectives.org>
Sent: Thu, Jan 3, 2013 6:40 pm
Subject: Re: [TheThinkTank] Support women.
On Dec 17, 2012 6:04 PM, "Plan B" <nolabikeproject@gmail.com> wrote:Hey Y'all,As you may be aware, one of the overriding characteristics of Plan B, The New Orleans Community Bike Project is our belief and constant practice of “practical radicalism”. We believe that one of the most efficient and practicable ways to espouse culture shift is by performing outreach and enacting mutual social aid. We've learned this in a concise manner during our history.We made the original call for Bike!Bike! in 2004, a tradition that has progressed into an enormous gathering that crosses borders and causes global impact. We're proud to host Bike!Bike! X, the tenth gathering and conference and hope to introduce new traditions by expanding programming and offering more than ever before.The Chainbreaker book, written by Shelley Jackson and Ethan Clark is another one of Plan B's babies and it's publishing was a definite push for DIY culture.Due to the generosity of Working Bikes in Chicago, we have a regular supply of raw materials and used bikes that we use to teach classes and further our outreach. We have shared the bikes with new community bike projects in Mississippi and Alabama and are eager to distribute more regionally. We also use the sale of bikes to fund the space and special projects like our recent trip to present at 5th Annual National Urban Cycling Congress in Oaxaca, Mexico. We co-presented with representatives from several other community bike initiatives from across the US in an attempt to espouse more like-minded initiatives as a force of economic and social justice throughout all of the Americas. Our presentation garnered a lot of interest and we are working with several new initiatives throughout Mexico in a support and advisory role. We know that outreach is working and we expect a strong presence of Mexican allies at Bike!Bike! X.One of the more exciting things that happened at Bike!Bike! 2012 was that race was finally a real topic. Contributing factors were a combination of workshops and the presence of more people of color at Bike!Bike! than ever before. The Ovarian Psychos ( http://ovarianpsycos.com/about/ ) were an impressive presence at the gathering and for the first time ever, an organized group by and for women with a strong base of people of color unified many within our group. These sisters don't mess around and they are now committed to launching their own community bike space. Plan B Ladies, Trans and Sissies night ( http://bikeproject.org/programs/ladies-trans-queer ) has committed to help them accomplish this[ and ]that's why we're asking for your support.Our latest initiative is a little different and for the first time ever, we're crowd-sourcing the funding. Our Ladies, Trans, and Sissies night coordinators, Tracey and Alisha, are going from LA to L.A. to support the OP's and bring them resources and materials. The reason I'm sending this out to the ThinkTank and distributing this appeal far and wide (and hoping you all do the same) is that I think for many of us this is an excellent opportunity to contribute to a cause that is greater than any of us and something that's always been prevalent in our discussions of social equity within our milieu. Specifically, the topic is gender and gender oppression, and no matter how much we discuss it at a conference or try to resolve it, the bluntest truth is that the core of the hard work in achieving gender equity is done by women, for women and while males can certainly be allies and supporters, the best situation is to allow women to be self-determined and invest in their own communities devoid of patriarchy and male voices.
Won't you join us in supporting gender equity and social justice within the realm of community bike projects? Even if it's $5, anything helps for this important work to be done. The goal of $1000 is on the low side. We'd love to be able to support them fiscally and provide several tools and plant the seeds for this very important space to flourish and cause real change.
Here's the link to the indiegogo page where you can read more about it.
I'll be happy to answer any questions in this thread. Please support if you can and help spread the word.Can't wait to see you all in October, 2013!
All the best,
-- Victor Pizarro Project Organizer Plan B, The New Orleans Community Bike Project
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