Service Learning Activism Log, Entry Four.

1) I was finally able to volunteer for VOX last Saturday. Cristina taught me how to phone-bank with PPGO's automated system, and we bounced between calling people on their c4 list about Alex Sink, Kelly Skidmore, and Amendments 5 and 6, and standing outside with the volunteers who were assisting in the clinic escort process. It was the last day of Forty Days of Life, so there was quite a bit of yelling. The primary refrain was that "abortion kills babies," but while their message was clear and very abrasive, I was very glad that at the very least, they didn't use any particularly gruesome images on their posters. However, one poster asked the passing cars to "honk for babies," and while I'm sure that most of the people knew that it was an anti-choice group picketing a clinic, there were nearly as many honkers as non-honkers, which really shocked me, as I naturally assumed that most people were either ambivalent to the issue or supportive, unless it was undermined by their religious beliefs. Regardless, I didn't think that a lack of support would be conflated with the belief that being pro-choice is somehow anti-baby, as this poster clearly implied. Beyond that rather presumptuous implication, we had a great day phone-banking. Cristina said it was her most successful day phone-banking ever, and while I had no prior experience to which I could compare it, I had an incredibly positive experience. Generally speaking, even though people on their lists signed up and chose to be able to be surveyed, often, they tell us that they have no interest in doing so, or that their politics are not in line with our mission, or worse. However, every person that agreed to speak with me told me they were going to vote for Alex Sink, and nearly all of them said they would vote in favor of the fair redistricting amendments that Planned Parenthood supported. Most were older women who were very happy that young people were getting involved in the political process, and quite a few had some choice words about how unfit Rick Scott was for the position. I left on Saturday feeling very hopeful for the future of my state, though as we're all aware by now, the outcome was less than favorable.

2) This exercise demonstrates yet again that Planned Parenthood and feminist politics in general extend far beyond pro-choice politics and activism, though that is a huge part of it, obviously. The amendments were much more concerned with making sure that politicians don't hold too much power in districting to gain reelection. While that can be linked directly to the support of progressive social positions, its most immediate goal is just political accountability and ethics. Additionally, I had never been to this particular clinic, Planned Parenthood of Greater Orlando's westside office, and therefore was unaware of the area to which it catered. It's built in a very low-income neighborhood by Jones High School, and is considered a safe place by the nearby residents. The protestors tried to conflate its location and clientele with the existence of a "black genocide" by white people, but I highly doubt that the accessibility of free birth control or an option in a tough situation is perceived that way by the community. Women's Lives does, however, mention that because choice is only meaningful to those with resources, then "a pro-choice framework creates a hierarchy among women based on resources which are linked to race and class" (Kirk and Okazawa-Rey 214). In this case, though, Planned Parenthood offers affordable options, possibly even free, depending on the circumstances, for women, regardless of their background.

3) The phone-banking was a very enjoyable experience. I hate talking on the phone, especially with strangers, but in time, it became comfortable and I was able to have some very interesting conversations with quite a few people. The entire experience, while jarring in terms of the kind of opinions I encountered, was rewarding. Being involved in any cause that raises awareness about issues I care about, in addition to contributing to the options granted to women in what could be the worst period of their life, is very personally empowering for me, and I'm excited to work at the clinic in the future.

Works Cited

Kirk, Gwyn, and Okazawa-Rey, Margo. Women’s Lives: Multicultural Perspectives. 5th ed. New York: McGraw-Hill, 2010.

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