Pussy

Calls for inclusivity usually resonate with me. I am normally the one making the calls. But claims that the various women's marches are "problematic" because of the mass utilization of "Pussy" hats and signage referring to genitalia, have me wondering what the fuck women CAN do without being told we need to do more.

First off, I make no claims to understand the hardships and unique life experiences of someone navigating our world as trans, gender-queer or anyone who identifies as a woman but does not have a vagina and vulva. So I expect to support by listening, learning, taking cues and showing up. When I do show up, I do not expect to be able to relate to everything and will have to work with whatever feelings of otherness come up. I understand this is not the same, given the power dynamics and social constructs that dominate the popular narrative. I know there are levels of disenfranchisement. I know there is space in the universe to honor ourselves and others. So it feels all too convenient to appeal to women, the sex that probably gives the most shits about being inclusive, with shame and guilt about their own pride in their own damn body parts.

What arenas are there to talk about Pussy if not at a womxn's march? Do you have to have a pussy to commiserate with a sign or a sentiment? Can we womxn have pussies even if we don't anatomically have pussies? Can we all get behind the Pussy as a powerful force and thus an awesome symbol for radical revolution?

Which brings me to the "Pussy" hat. In quotes because it is a gross misrepresentation of her power. I am jumping in with the haters on this one but not because it is too genitalia based and thus exclusive, but because it does not go far enough. If you want to drive home the power of womxn, a sea of 3D pussies would do it. Especially if each woman crafted her hat after her own. All the variations, colors they really come in, surgical scars, mentrual blood. A pussy hat is not exclusive to womxn with this specific genitalia. Don a hat with what you have going on and come to the march. Or don a vagina/vulva in tribute to her power even if you don't have one. Or even don one of these stupid pink kitty hats to say you down with the vagay in whatever way you wanna be.

Do the questioning and make the calls for difficult conversations. But your inclusivity does not come from me shutting up again about my pussy. She has been silenced and called "down there" for way too long. She has been the receiver of assault and carelessness masquerading as devotion. She breeds bacteria and dis-ease specific only to her. She carries unique pain and pleasure pathways. She is the portal through which I experience the world. And as I come into my Power, my Pussy talk is only going to get louder.