by L. Bryant

Anger doesn’t even begin to describe how I feel as a woman. My body, my choice. That’s something many women have heard before, and many men as well. What it means to me is that no one—no politician, not even my spouse—has the ability to make decisions for me when it comes to what I want done with or to my body, especially when it comes to abortion. I, as a woman, have to carry a baby to term for nine months—go through the morning sickness, the emotions, and the worry, the planning. I’m not trying to sound like a man-basher or hater here at all, but a man is not obligated to stay and help me take care of this unborn child, or to help me prepare. I’m stuck with it, whatever the outcome, whether it be married, unmarried with a boyfriend, or a single mother. What the Texas Legislature is proposing for an upcoming bill that will be signed into law by Rick Perry is not only repulsive, it’s taking away yet another right that women should all have: it is my choice whether or not to have an abortion, and no one ought to be able to tell me otherwise. What is the bill proposing, you ask? What three other states have enforced already: that a woman must have an ultrasound (forced) 24 hours before she has an abortion performed, and she must look at the fetus. I for one do not want anyone invading my space, telling me I have to look at something I have already decided to give up. It’s hard enough, making that decision. A quote from the Houston Chronicle article on the subject: “The doctor is also required to describe what the sonogram shows, to include the existence of legs, arms and internal organs.” You don’t have a choice, ladies. You must look, listen, and have to be embarrassed and shamed into either accepting your baby because it’s the “right” thing to do, or have people look down on you because THEY believe you are making the wrong decision. It isn’t about what is right in the Bible, or what the right wing believes. It is my body, and you can’t tell me what to do with it! Baby or not, if it grows in me, it is part of me. It is my decision to make, and no one but myself should be involved. Now, the bill does have a stipulation: women who are raped, victims of incest, or have fetuses with abnormalities are exempt. The question must be asked: for how long? How long before they are guilted into keeping instead of aborting?
Women, we need to rise up and defend ourselves! If we won’t, who else will? In the 1970’s the ERA (Equal Rights Amendment) was not passed as a law. Its purpose? To guarantee women the same rights as men under the law. If our own country won’t take us seriously, why should anyone else have to? If that had been passed 40 years ago, we might not be facing this problem today.

By James Thompson

HOUSTON – Our CPUSA Houston club attended the May Day march in honor of Tim O’Brien, a local labor activist and member of the CPUSA Houston club who died last week after a long battle with cancer.

The march to support immigrant’s rights attracted many local activists from a wide variety of progressive organizations to include TSEU, SEIU, FIEL, CRECEN, Houston Peace and Justice Center and many others. About 2000 marched and rallied to support immigrant rights and celebrate May Day.

Participants were from a diverse background to include African American, Latino, Anglo, Asian American and many others.

Speakers and participants demanded rights for immigrants as well as justice, dignity and respect in the workplace. Participants were lively and very vocal and enthusiastic in their participation. Chants included “No to deportation! Yes to education!” One woman carried a sign which read “Do I look illegal?”

There was a tribute to Tim O’Brien and a plaque of appreciation was presented to his family. Here are some words written in honor of Tim by one of our club members:

“I will always remember Tim as a brave, outstanding leader and fighter for the underprivileged working class. He didn’t hesitate to get right in the middle of many fights against large parasitic organizations and corporations feeding off the labor of working people here and around the world. He was an internationalist who understood that injustice against workers in other countries is used to oppress workers in this country. He fought tirelessly against sweat-shop labor and stood up for the voiceless. He joined several of us when we went to Austin with the AFL-CIO to fight for health care and was a powerful presence at countless rallies and protests.

He was also a marvelous historian and completed his Ph.D. in African American studies from the University of Houston. I attended his oral examination for his Ph.D. candidacy and was impressed by his writing and research abilities. His dissertation was on Lightnin’ Hopkins, a famed Houston musician. He completed his manuscript for publication of a biography of Lightnin’ Hopkins on March 24. Visit his website at http://lightninghopkins.org/

Many injustices were done to him and he fought against them fearlessly and prevailed in many cases. However, the injustices of our medical system and his difficulty in accessing healthcare clearly shortened his exemplary life. He should be remembered as a martyr of our broken health care system.

He was a family man and clearly loved his wife and child. He even brought his child to some rallies to teach her about democracy and the beauty of standing up to injustices committed against our brothers and sisters.

We extend our deepest condolences to Tim’s family and friends and mourn the passing of this beautiful, wonderful man who can be an example to all of us who champion worker’s rights and the interests of working people.”

At the presentation and throughout the march a sign proclaiming “Jobs with Justice” was displayed prominently. It was a sign made by Tim.

The sign was offered to his family, but his sister asked that we keep the sign and use it to promote progressive causes. She felt that would be the best way to honor Tim and carry out his vision. I assured her that we will do just that.

It should be remembered that May Day is a holiday celebrated throughout the world, but is largely ignored in this country. It is a holiday to commemorate the Haymarket uprising which eventually resulted in the establishment of the 40 hour work week. Two Texans, Albert and Lucy Parsons, were the leaders of that uprising. Albert Parson and other Haymarket martyrs were hanged in Chicago in 1887. Lucy Parsons lived until 1942 and was a member of the Communist Party USA during the last years of her life. 

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