NH’s Extreme Lawmakers Attempting to Control Women
Groping a woman is assault and we have laws to protect people from such actions. I wonder how Rep. Moore would react if he were walking on the beach and a woman grabbed his nipples?
OPINION
THE SOAPBOX
STAND UP. SPEAK UP. IT’S YOUR TURN
It is time to break the chains of our patriarchal bonds that have oppressed women for generations creating a vicious double standard between the sexes.
Take, for example, the appalling comment that my state representative, Josh Moore, wrote about women exposing their breasts for feeding or other reasons.
Representative Moore said, “If it’s a woman’s natural inclination to pull her nipple out in public and you support that, than [sic] you should have no problem with a mans inclantion [sic] to stare at it and grab it. After all… It’s ALL relative and natural, right?”
Groping a woman is assault and we have laws to protect people from such actions. I wonder how Rep. Moore would react if he were walking on the beach and a woman grabbed his nipples?
The medical community continues to tell mothers that breastfeeding, when possible, is the best option for babies. So why does society continue to shame mothers for breastfeeding in public?
Breastfeeding is the most natural thing in the world and women should never be ashamed of providing nourishment to their child. If the woman is comfortable breastfeeding her child in public, then it is not my place, nor Rep. Moore’s or anyone else’s, to tell her otherwise.
As Americans we live in a male dominated, patriarchal society that seeks to deny women’s bodily autonomy. Women are expected to look, dress, and behave in particular ways. Dresses should be worn, but they must be a certain length or it would be inappropriate. Clothes can’t be too tight or revealing for fear it will arouse their male peers.
Rep. Moore’s anti-women agenda runs deep – his belief that groping a woman is acceptable behavior is just the tip of the iceberg. He’s also worked to strip women of their right to make personal, private healthcare decisions.
In 2016, in addition to sponsoring this legislation to bar women from baring their breasts in public, Rep. Moore is also co-sponsoring two pieces of legislation seeking to defund Planned Parenthood and independent health centers that provide abortion care or referrals. His legislative voting record is peppered with support for abortion bans. Does a young man really think he knows more about a woman’s health care than she and her doctor do?
Representative Moore should apologize for his grossly inappropriate statement threatening physical assault against women.
The New Hampshire Legislature in turn should see this initiative to stop women from exposing their nipples for what it is – just another attempt by extreme lawmakers to control women.
Want to get up on your Soapbox? Beg to differ with someone else’s POV? Opinion-driven articles are welcome. Send submissions to Carol Robidoux at robidouxnews@gmail.com for consideration.
Matt Murray is the creator and managing editor of the NH Labor News. He is a proud husband and father, a dedicated union member, and a progressive activist working for social and economic justice from inside the labor movement. Follow him at @NHLabor_News or on Facebook at Facebook.com/NHLaborNews.
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