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About Just out. (Portland, OR) 1983-2013 | View Entire Issue (Aug. 4, 2000)
august 4. 2000 - Let's get radical Feminist crusaders take on Injustice wherever they see it The beloved Portland Power during the heyday of the ABL o alcohol, no drugs, no lesbians.” was created by women for women—the world- The echo of these words from class athletes were paid $80,000 a year, and the a Penn State women’s basketball stands were packed for every game. coach still rings loud as the tight for Its success did not go unnoticed by the NBA, equality in athletics continues, even after Title which formed its own women’s league. The two IX. Though we have “come a long way, baby” seasons overlapped for one year, and the ABL since women were expected to wear corsets ultimately folded because of pixir Rinding and and high heels while playing sports, much work I support. The ABL players had the option to remains to be done about homophobia, objec take the new salary scale the WNBA offered for tive media portrayal, insufficient public support a much shorter season—between $26,500 and and low pay for female athletes. $32,500 annually—or quit U.S. basketball. These issues and many more were discussed “Working people are left to fight over the at last months meeting of Radical Women, an crumbs after the top officials get paid, and organization dedicated to exposing, resisting and women get the fewest crumbs,” Laverdure says. eliminating the inequities of womens existence. The meeting attracted a group of about 25 When they do receive media attention, women and men. They discussed the complexi- female athletes often are portrayed as decora ! ties of how to support these female athletes tive, not athletic, and reports from players while opposing the WNBA’s treatment of them. reveal their coaches tell them to decline inter “We live under capitalism, and we are views immediately after a game and wait until encouraging exploitation as spectators,” Laver they are more “presentable.” An unspoken rule dure says. “ ...1 think our role is to support requires players and coaches always to present them at this point so they can get their foot in themselves as heterosexual, as the six coaches the door.” who lost their jobs between 1994 and 1997 for The general consensus at the end of the being perceived as lesbians could attest, discus discussion was that the progress women can sion moderator Jennifer Laverdure explains. make in a capitalist society is limited and that things will remain the same until the system is “Athletes cannot be seen as lesbians or per ceived as lesbians,” a participant adds. “They changed. Radical Women believe the only way soci literally had to be posed with men on their arms while traveling.” ety can work as a team is to stop discriminating based on sexual orientation, race, gender, class, Another major issue under debate at the disability and age. The oldest organization of meeting was the demise of the ABL from • political socialist radicals in the United States, women’s professional basketball. The league Ju st out 3 ] ▼ it was formed in 1967 after a women’s studies as to why they should not support the O CA ," course at Seattle’s Free University brought to Sardo says. light for several students the injustices all During the past few months, Bigot Busters women face. struggled for the right to campaign wherever The civil rights movement in the ’60s the O C A collected signatures for its petitions. demonstrated to activists the undercurrents of The public malls and establishments where sexism throughout society as men filled leader voters were approached are considered private ship positions while women were shuffled into property, which forced the activists to receive back rooms to do paperwork and menial tasks. permission from the companies that own the They were ready to serve as leaders but needed sidewalk even to be there, Laverdure explains. an organization to show them how to step into “The big corporations aren’t concerned roles formerly denied them. about our rights,” Weller adds. “They founded Radical Women to serve Bigot Busters are gaining ground every day that need— to train women about what real and will continue hitting the streets with infor leadership is, to stand up and say what you mation until the Student Protection Act is think in a room filled with people who don’t defeated, Laverdure promises. agree with you,” says Adrienne Weller, an In addition, Radical Women are making executive committee member. headway for the rights of sexual minorities The group instantly distinguished itself from through an association with the Freedom other movements by battling not only sexism Socialist Party, which aims to inject the social but heterosexism, racism, ageism, poverty and ist movement with the revitalizing ideas of repression of all types. “That we were multi Trotskyism and feminism. “The teams that win issue way before anyone else...made us are the ones that work together," suggests Brian unique,” Weller adds. Barnett, a member of the political organization. Since the creation of Radical Women’s The Freedom Socialists are engaged in a law Portland branch in 1977, it has been at the suit with the secretary of state to get the party forefront of major political battles in on future ballots. Current law states no the United States and around the two political parties can share the world, working with other //(.. I . 1 same name, and because the chapters in Australia, Cana Working pooplo Socialist Parry already is on da, Washington, California, the ballot, the Freedom New York and New Jersey. Socialists cannot be. Members continually are “If left alternative par fighting for sexual minori ties can’t get on the bal ties, women’s reproductive lot, it holds back the rights, police accountabili rights of sexual minori ty, juvenile crime measures ties,” Weller says. and Cuban sovereignty and Both Radical Women — against the Oregon Citizens and the Freedom Socialist Alliance, the World Trade Party are composed of wom Organization and Ballot Measures en and feminist men, gay and 9, 11 and 13, to name just a few. straight, of all colors and nationali “We have always been active wherever the ties, old and young, working together for right wing raises its head. We’re there to tell freedom and respect of all peoples around them to get lost," says Jordana Sardo, a Radical the world. Women organizer. “Learning from Nazi Ger “Socialism is a transformation process,” many, you need to stop them immediately.” Sardo says. “As you transform, from there you In yet another example of history repeating can go forward. And as people work together, itself, Radical Women are battling the O CA they become a very powerful force.” once again. In 1992, they helped defeat Ballot Measure 9, an initiative to prevent sexual ■ R adical W omen study groups meet minorities from receiving “special rights.” 10 to 11 :3 0 a.m . Suruiays in Room 359 at Port - Today, Radical Women are fighting the land State University’s C ram er Hall, 1721 S.W . OCA’s latest anti-gay measure, the Student Broadway. M m thly discussion groups are held at Protection Act. Through a campaign called the Northwest Neighborhood Cidtural Center, Bigot Busters, supporters are taking grassroots 1819 N .W . Everett St. C all (5 0 3 ) 2 2 8 -3 0 9 0 for action by meeting with voters and educating more information. them on the facts and repercussions of the ini tiative, which is designed to keep any mention MEGHAN G arrity is a free-lance uriter who of homosexuality out of schools. recently relocated to Portland. She can he reached “We are winning the right to educate voters at meghangamty@yah(H>.com . are left to fiah over the crumbs after the top officials get paid, and women get the fewest crumbs." Jennifer Laverdure SUBARU The Nation's #1 Subaru dealer, Carr Subaru NW is |\ now at your fingertips. 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