Let's make some sweeping generalizations for a moment:

People are like animals. Women are like dogs. Go ahead, make the connection. We're Bitches. Some are friendly, with happy eyes and wagging tails. Some are more yappy and like to bark just to hear their own voice. Others are aggressive, growly and unapproachable. And yet, some are loyal and dedicated watchers of those they care about. Amazingly, some are trained to help others (mostly humans) see and hear.

Not all dogs are alike, and certainly not all dogs get along with each other just because they too are canine. There is no dog-like bond that connects us all or helps us understand each other. No, we are isolated into our territories, packs, neighborhoods, and familiar spots. In fact, we are even socialized into thinking that other dogs, outsiders, are a threat.

Why do women act this way? Why is it that when I try to get along with a female, she sees me as a threat or something to destroy instead of a potential ally or friend? A woman would rather change her position on something rather than have another female agree with her or join forces. Why is the instinct in the female psyche to destroy other females? Is it competitive socializing? "There can only be ONE and I AM THE QUEEN". Is that true? Why can't women be a strong force as a collective when necessary? Why does it take something like a threat to our reproductive autonomy or the ability to vote in order to get us to see that we are indeed fighting for the same team and cause?

I suppose the lack of definition for that cause could be part of the problem. The cause is equality. The cause is showing the world that women are not as "catty" as our reputations preceed, and that if women ruled the world, it really would be a better place.

What is a matriarchy without nurturing and inclusiveness? What is the essence of being a woman if we are not peacemakers and community-builders? What is our future if we cannot grab the delicate hands of the woman next to us and walk forward, proudly, as Sisters?

The few female friends I have in my life are close friends because we are part of the same team. We are uplifting one another, not stomping on one another, to reach the mountainpeaks we aim for. There is room for each of us up there. The whole mountain belongs to us. I will lift my 'Sister' up so she can have her turn at the top of the mountain, along with the rest of us. And we're all going to get back down that mountain in one piece, as a solid sisterhood.

Last week, after I'd had a bad afternoon from a casual-but-failed attempt to get along with another female for who I dare say I hold pockets of respect and admiration, I went to CVS to pick up some medication for my tonsilities. After the pharmacy had made a mistake with my prescription, I stood outside for a few moments to wait for them to fix it. An old black woman was standing outside with her shopping cart, having her cigarette, so I smiled and pulled out my own pack. Before I could even search for my own lighter, she was offering me her matches to use. She explained that she wanted to be nice and do a small favor for a stranger because that's her philosophy on living. She went on to explain how she has difficulty walking, and that a bus driver once drove off because she was taking too long to get to the steps of the bus door. She also talked about a movie, I cannot recall the title, where Michael Douglas plays a business man who's trying to get to his son's baseball game or something of the like, but a series of small unkind events causes him to go mad and begin a killing spree. I've never seen the movie, but she declared that people ought to be polite and nice to one another because you never know what someone is going through. What you do out of selfishness or thoughtlessness or competitiveness may be the straw too heavy for the camel's back. Her point was loud and clear. I wished her a blissful Mother's Day and went on with my day.

Something as simple as being cordial to your fellow females when she is trying to get along with you, and not attacking them or humiliating them or whatever other form of aggressive behavior one might revert to could mean the difference between social progress or primitive degradation.

You would think that if you stay out of the other dog's food bowl and mind your own poop, a casual interaction in the dog park would go smoothly and playfully. Territory is a volatile concept. On one hand, it is a space to protect and defend. On another, it is ownership, power and exclusion.

I have a general idea of the type of Bitch I am, and strive to be. Not all Bitches are the same. Some Bitches are harder to get along with than others. Some will growl fiercely and bare her teeth, long after my tail is between my legs and my ears relaxed back to show that I am not a threat and I just want to play.

So somehow we must all navigate through this animal kingdom. But what I suggest is a democracy or a republic, not a hierarchy or class system or fiefdom.

I'm just trying to throw the ball around on a nice day. Please don't eat my frisbee.

Bethany Moore
Wiccans Seek Justice :: AU Wins Lawsuit for Wiccans (Part 3)
July 30, 2007

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Many people have found refuge from religious persecution within our nation's borders. History tells us of the many persecuted who fled from Europe to America where they were promised refuge, no matter what their religion. Religious freedom is a blessing, but many of the estimated 400,000 Wiccans and Pagans who call this country home still fear being publicly recognized as such because of prejudices and misunderstandings. Even in recent years, government officials have made disparaging remarks about Wiccans and Pagans, including comments made by James Towey, director of the White House Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives, in November 2003 when he suggested that "fringe" religious groups such as Pagans won't get funding through the Bush administration's "faith-based" initiative. Just a year earlier in December 2002, Cynthia Simpson was discriminated against by the Chesterfield County, Virginia Board of Supervisors when they refused to add her to the list of volunteer clergy to offer prayer invocations, and was told that because her beliefs are not consistent with Judeo-Christian traditions, she would not be added to the list of clergy. The discrimination that exists toward Pagans is rooted in unfortunate ignorance and bias, and it is an issue that will continue to be addressed for the sake of religious liberty for all.

Americans United for Separation of Church and State's lawsuit against the VA for refusing to approve the Pentacle on the list of symbols for deceased soldiers responded to the bias which threatened the religious freedoms of Wiccan and Pagan soldiers. The Pentacle, a five-pointed encircled star, is a sacred symbol to many Wiccans and Pagans because of its representation of the five elements; earth, air, fire, water, and spirit, joined in the circle of life. Although many other symbols hold sacred meaning for Pagans, (e.g., a triple-crescent moon, a spiral, etc) the Pentacle has become a controversial one because of its false association with Satan, or the Devil. It is also reversed in some of these cases to create the shape of a "horned goat-head" from the legs of the star. This is another distortion of the reality of the Pentacle, and an unfair portrayal of those who know it as a positive symbol of the Wiccan faith.

In the darkness of 15th, 16th, and 17th century medieval Europe, those who did not profess Christianity were labeled "Pagan," a derogatory term meant to exclude and insult. Today, some have reclaimed this word and proudly call themselves "Pagan" or "Neo-Pagan." Still, others refuse the term because of its negative historical stigma. The same is true about the word "Witch." To some it is an ancient word meaning "wise one," but to others is insulting. We can blame this false stigma perhaps on the media and Hollywood, who some think have turned the shaman-like "witch" or healer, into an evil, warty old woman, cackling and flying on a broomstick.

When you remove the misconceptions and falsehoods, all of these words, -- Witch, Wicca, Pagan, Druid, etc, -- indicate an indigenous and nature-oriented spirituality with varying pantheons, traditions, folklore and teachings. The traditions hail from many parts of the world, though all sharing common core practices and teachings. Numerous labels are used and are highly debated within those communities and networks. Although Wiccans, Pagans, Druids, and others on similar paths will not often adopt a single label, the fundamental right for them to worship freely and have equal recognition is not diminished.

As mentioned in part 1 of this Wiccans Seek Justice series, Wiccans or Pagans really have no central religious leader to represent us. This truth was used as an excuse by the VA for 10 years to deny Wiccan veterans their proper headstones. We are a collection of voices, each our own individuals. And if we choose to practice our faith with others, we choose circles, sanctuaries, covens and study groups that are right for us. Just as there are different denominations of Christianity, such as Baptist, Pentecostal, and Catholic, it is generally understood that "Pagan" is an umbrella term much like "Christianity" is, carrying a loose description that allows a multitude of teachings and traditions to be connected. Druid, Witch, Wiccan, Neo-Pagan, Shaman, Healer, and Priestess are just a few of the terms or "labels" individuals use now to describe their spiritual paths.

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