Roger Passman-Fischel 
The Chicken-Shit War on Women’s Rights
Introduction to The Chicken-Shit War on Women’s Rights
Your body, my choice is a misogynistic, morally corrupt phrase that has taken on a sinister new life. Once a symbol of women’s empowerment during the 1960s fight for abortion rights, it’s now a mocking rallying cry for misogynistic extremists. In the wake of Donald Trump’s election, these words have
become weapons, emboldening a faction of right-wing influencers who seek to roll back women’s progress and reclaim control over their autonomy.
If this is true, then what can be said about the morals and ethics of the radical right represented by President-Elect Donald Trump? This rhetoric represents more than just words—it’s the beginning of a cultural and political campaign to drag society back to a time when women had little more status than property. If, as he claims, Mr. Trump intends to be president for ALL the people, he has a moral and ethical duty to use his bully pulpit to end this egregious blip in the radar of the far right wing of the Republican Party.
Your Body, My Choice: Misogyny’s Modern Rebranding
On college campuses, in online forums, and even in public protests, extremists now use “Your body, my choice” to mock and demean women. Sadie Perez, a 19-year-old political science student in Wisconsin, began carrying pepper spray after noticing this hostility escalating on her campus. Her mother, recognizing the danger, sent her and her sister self-defense kits with hidden knives and alarms.
“It’s not just words,” Sadie explained. “You feel it when you walk around. It’s a look, a comment, a threat that you can’t ignore.”
This is part of a broader strategy to normalize misogyny under the guise of humor or “free speech.” Men in the so-called manosphere—an online network of influencers promoting hyper-masculinity—share advice on how to dominate women, with some encouraging outright harassment. One influencer recently advised followers to attend pro-choice rallies, heckling women with signs that say, “Make me a sandwich.”
Your Body, My Choice: Turning Back the Clock
If left unchecked, these attitudes could have real consequences for women’s rights, both socially and legislatively. After Trump’s victory, some legislators already pushed to defund domestic violence
shelters, claiming they “discriminate against men.” Others propose returning women to “traditional roles,” a euphemism for subservience.
This attempt to erase decades of progress feels like a return to the era of the caveman—10,000 years ago when brute strength dictated power and women’s autonomy barely existed. The emboldened right-wing extremists now aim to enforce a similar power dynamic, cloaked in modern rhetoric.
The broader agenda includes curbing access to reproductive healthcare, reversing workplace protections, and undermining Title IX—a federal law that prevents gender discrimination in education. Recent moves to allow male students accused of sexual assault to sue their accusers highlight this effort to silence women and erode accountability.
Your Body, My Choice: A Climate of Fear
This resurgence of misogyny isn’t just ideological; it’s palpable. Women are taking self-defense classes in record numbers and buying personal safety tools like pepper spray, stun guns, and door alarms. Students report avoiding night classes or walking home alone, changes that drastically limit their freedom.
Online, the abuse is even worse. Female politicians, journalists, and activists face relentless harassment, from explicit death threats to coordinated smear campaigns. Many women opt to leave public platforms altogether, a chilling sign of how effective this intimidation can be.
“I’ve had to rethink everything I post,” said Sarah Kim, a journalist who writes about women’s issues. “I can’t write freely without fearing that someone will show up at my house or call my family.”
Combatting the Your Body, My Choice Agenda
This battle isn’t just about defending women’s rights; it’s about preventing society from regressing to a more oppressive, unequal era. Combating this wave of misogyny requires a multifaceted approach:
Legislative Protections are Not Enough
Support and expand laws that protect women’s rights, like the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA). Advocate for stronger anti-harassment laws that address both physical and digital threats.
Self-Protection from Wonton Violence and Egregious Misogyny
- Education and Awareness
Schools and workplaces must implement comprehensive anti-discrimination training that challenges harmful stereotypes about gender. Start early—teach children about consent, respect, and equality. - Technological Accountability
Tech companies must take responsibility for the hate speech on their platforms. Demand robust content moderation and harsher penalties for those who use social media to harass or threaten. - Community Action
Support local organizations that provide resources to women, from self-defense classes to legal aid for survivors of harassment and assault.
Your Body, My Choice: A Call to Action
These words, though twisted by misogynists, can still serve as a rallying cry. Women and allies must reclaim the phrase and fight for its original meaning: bodily autonomy and equal rights. The stakes couldn’t be higher. Allowing this rhetoric to flourish risks undoing a century of progress and setting the clock back to the darkest days of human history.
Descent Americans, men and women alike must not stand for such vitriol to dominate the next four years and even longer if we are not courageous enough to stand for morals, ethics, and just plain old common decency.
Sources Cited
Frances-Wright, I. (Year). Institute for Strategic Dialogue Report on Misogynistic Rhetoric.
Kim, S. (2024). Personal interview.
Additional resources are cited from legislative records and advocacy reports.
Suggestions for Further Reading
Solnit, Rebecca. Men Explain Things to Me: Insightful essays on how patriarchy thrives in everyday interactions.
Valenti, Jessica. Sex Object: A Memoir: A firsthand account of enduring sexism in modern America.
Criado Perez, Caroline. Invisible Women: Analyzes systemic inequalities in society’s design.
Banet-Weiser, Sarah. Empowered: Popular Feminism and Popular Misogyny. This book discusses the paradoxical coexistence of feminism and misogyny in popular culture.
Manne, Kate. Entitled: How Male Privilege Hurts Women: Explores male entitlement and its societal consequences.
Hooks, Bell. The Will to Change: Examines masculinity and its potential for transformation.
Hess, Amanda. The Internet of Garbage: Chronicles the harassment women face online and the fight for accountability.
Faludi, Susan. Backlash: The Undeclared War Against Women: A classic on the societal pushback against women’s rights.
Kendall, Mikki. Hood Feminism: Calls for a feminism that addresses marginalized voices.
Final Thought
Reclaiming equality demands vigilance and action. It is letting this rhetoric stand unchallenged risks taking us back to a time when strength, not justice, ruled. Don’t let that happen.
DISCLAIMER: This post’s images [and videos] are AI-generated creations intended purely for illustrative and conceptual purposes. They are NOT real-life representations and must not be interpreted as such. The singular purpose of the included images is to offer a visual means of exploring the ideas expressed in this post and nothing more.
