NOW Stumbles on Issues of Racism and Misogyny

In recent months, the National Organization for Women has been branching out to address issues such as militarism and racism. This is a welcome step in as much as such issues have significant impacts on women’s lives.

It was however discouraging to see a recent article in the NOW Times by Deborah Peterson Small, “Perspectives on Katrina”, that while ably addressing issues of race and class, did not make the connection as to how these effect women in times of natural disasters.

I am copying below the letter that I wrote to NOW President Kim Gandy. As you will note, several authors (including myself) have been working to address these issues. It is crucial that women’s organizations not only take ownership of their voice on these issues but also stand firm in insisting on addressing how they impact the lives of women. While quesitons of race, class, militarism, etc. are important in and of themselves, there is no greater good that justifies invisibilizing the lives of women.
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Dear Ms. Gandy,

I am very pleased to see NOW taking an active stance on peace and racism issues. It is critical that women recognize the impact these matters have on the lives of women. I was however disturbed to see the choice of Deborah Small’s “Perspectives on Katrina in your most recent newsletter. While it is an excellent piece, it does not address the impact Katrina and other natural disasters have had on women’s lives.

Feminist Peace Network now has a page on our website that lists resources for helping women impacted by natural disasters throughout the world, http://www.feministpeacenetwork.org/NaturalDisasters.htm. It also lists a number of excellent articles on the subject:

Surviving Domestic Violence and Disasters by Elaine Enarson

Natural Disaster Exposes Gender Divides by Joni Seager

Katrina and her Gendering of Class and Race by Zillah Eisenstein

Were Women Raped in New Orleans? Addressing the Human Rights of Women in Times of Crisis by Lucinda Marshall

A Feminist Perspective on Katrina by Loretta J. Ross

New Orleans and Women of Color: Connecting the Personal and Political by Janelle L. White

It is crucial that women’s organizations not only take a stand on racism, classism, etc. but also make clear the impact that these issues have on women’s lives, otherwise women will continue to be marginalized in favor of addressing the ‘big issues’.

Sincerely,

Lucinda Marshall, Founder
Feminist Peace Network