Service Learning Post #1

Service Learning Week 1

Activism: On Thursday night I participated in the Vote No on 6-phone bank. This event was sponsored by Planned Parenthood and the Vote No on 6 Campaign. Along with several other volunteers we were shown how to actively and positively call registered voters and advise them on the dangers of Amendment 6. This amendment has to do with political intrusion between a women, her doctor, and her family. Before I began calling I was nervous and anxious, but I was surprised to immediately feel comfortable with what I was doing. I must have called 60 homes in one night, and by the end I felt incredibly accomplished. Some people refused the call and were rude; but surprisingly most of the people I called responded positively to the information they were receiving. I was also surprised to hear men who were interested in the amendment for the sake of the women that they cared about. Next time I phone bank for Amendment 6, I think I will add to my dialogue that this campaign is non-partisan. I think that is an important piece of information that should be communicated to callers so they are not automatically turned off by my call.

Reflection: This weeks service learning activity was directly associated to women’s reproductive health and health in general.  This weeks reading discusses the fight for women’s liberation, which has been associated with control over reproductive rights. Reproductive Justice was introduced in the reading which discusses a broader analysis for reproductive rights. Amendment 6 attempts to place politicians in the examining room with the female patient. Based on economic, social, and institutional status politicians can influence which women are suitable to reproduce. “Reproduction is not just a matter of individual choice. Reproductive health policy affects the status of entire groups. It reflects which people are valued in our society, who is deemed worthy to bear children, and capable of making decisions for themselves. Reproductive decisions are made within a social context, including inequalities of wealth and power.”  This amendment is a dangerous form of sexism, which could limit the reproductive health possibilities for women who are in a lower socioeconomic class. Reproduction should have nothing to do with status, wealth, or race.

Reciprocity: On Thursday night I was really excited about the work I was doing with Amendment 6. I feel as though I can have a direct impact on voters and Amendment 6. However, I also received a lot in return. I gained an education about Amendment 6, the voting process, and met many other volunteers who are great activists. Through the education that I received about Amendment 6 I became more knowledgeable about the topic, and in turn educated voters who needed some more information. It was personally a beneficial experience, as well as hopefully being beneficial for other voters.

VOTE NO ON 6!

Works Cited

http://www.votenoon6.com/. In BY VOTE NO ON 6 COMMITTEE.

Reproductive justice: Vision, analysis, and action for a stronger movement. In (2005). Women's Lives Multicultural Perspective. McGraw Hill.