Reflections from the Los Angeles Community Dialogue On the D.C. March for Women's Lives
By
Adriene Bausley, ATP Graduate

On April 29, 2004 at 7:00 p.m., CABWHP collaborated with KPFK (90.7 FM) to present to the Los Angeles community a Live Broadcast and Community Dialogue/Town Hall Meeting about the historic March for Women's Lives that took place on April 25, 2004 in Washington, D.C.

As I walked into the Village Theatre in Leimert Park (the venue for the Community Dialogue/Town Hall Meeting), I heard an earthy voice filled with wisdom, eloquence and power fill the room. It was the voice of one of L.A.'s finest spoken word artists Jaha. She was just one the gifted poets and speakers who shared words of wisdom and inspiration throughout the evening.

Thandi Chimurenga (Co-founder of "Some of Us Are Brave") skillfully moderated the two hour live broadcast. Sister Chimurenga navigated the evening by asking insightful questions of the panelists, introducing poetic interludes from Black women artists and, finally, opening the floor for questions and comments from the audience.

The panelists were: Latonya Slack (Executive Director of CABWHP), Vanessa Shaw (a UCLA student and graduate of CABWHP's Advocate Training Program), and international human rights leader Loretta Ross (March Organizer and Director of the National Center for Human Rights Education). Among other things, Ms. Slack addressed the need for women of color to unite. She informed the audience about the work of the Sister Song Women of Color Reproductive Health Collective, which is a vehicle for united strategizing and action. She also spoke about the importance of educating ourselves and our children about issues that impact our well-being.

As the student representative on the panel, Vanessa Shaw encouraged the audience (especially other young women) to be aware of the policies that negatively affect our quality of life. She emphasized the importance of voting, especially to young people who feel a passion for being engaged in the struggle for justice. Ms. Shaw stated that attending the March for Women's Lives further inspired her to being actively involved in the fight for reproductive and social justice.

Loretta Ross spoke eloquently and candidly about the process of organizing the March and her insights from working as a women's rights activist for more than 20 years. She addressed the history of oppression in this country, including government involvement in the sterilization of poor women. Ms. Ross also discussed the fact the abortion is a sensitive issue for the Black community. Therefore, the struggle for reproductive justice must be placed in the context of the struggle for social justice, including housing, family planning, child care and access to quality health care.

Following the presentations by the panelists, the audience engaged in thoughtful dialogue about the issues presented. I truly enjoyed the evening. I was inspired by the panelists, poets and those of us in the audience who gathered to gain insight on the March for Women's Lives. I was reminded that the liberties and rights I enjoy today were fought for by others. Therefore, in order to ensure the liberty of future generations, I must continue to challenge the forces that threaten these precious rights. There is much work to be done. However, if we work together nothing is impossible.