“My Job Is to Remind You of the Struggle”
Diane Balser, International Liberation Reference Person for Women
I just got removed from my teaching job at Boston University (in Massachusetts, USA). One of the reasons was the extent to which I focused on sexism. It was the main thing I taught. After I left, almost all my classes were eliminated—or changed so that the word “sexism” was taken out of them. I did protest. And other people protested. I’m telling you this to get you up in arms [ready to rebel], to get you angry, as we should be.
But women are also moving more than ever before. When I came into Co-Counseling in the early 1970s, even some of the RC books used the word “men” instead of “people.” That changed with the women’s movement. Also, look at the leadership of Re-evaluation Counseling. There are wonderful men here. But look at the women! These are Amazon women! When we get into Co-Counseling, whether we are young or old, timid or strong, we can become Amazon women.
In the wide world, women are the resistance to Donald Trump. We have the contradiction of women speaking up for themselves.
We have done a lot—in teaching RC and supporting magnificent women globally. And a key piece of our work is on climate change and sexism, male domination, and sexual exploitation.
But my main job is to remind you of the struggle. Shout the word “sexism” every day (audience shouts). Most women and most men forget the term.
Jamaica Plain, Massachusetts, USA