Katha Pollitt
Katha Pollitt
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Full Name and Common Aliases
Katha Pollitt is a renowned American journalist, author, and columnist known for her incisive commentary on politics, social issues, and feminist matters. She is often referred to as Katha Pollitt or Kathy Pollitt.
Birth and Death Dates
Born on October 17, 1949, in Brooklyn, New York, Pollitt has been a prominent voice in American journalism for over four decades.
Nationality and Profession(s)
Pollitt holds dual citizenship of the United States and France. She is a journalist by profession, having worked as an editor, writer, and columnist for various publications, including _The Nation_, where she remains a contributing editor to this day.
Early Life and Background
Growing up in Brooklyn's Park Slope neighborhood, Pollitt developed a passion for writing at an early age. Her interest in politics and social justice was nurtured by her parents, who were both active in the civil rights movement of the 1960s. Pollitt attended the University of Michigan, where she became involved with the feminist movement and began to develop her own voice as a writer.
Major Accomplishments
Pollitt's career is marked by numerous achievements, including:
Serving as the poetry editor for _The New Yorker_ from 1976 to 1980
Holding various positions at _The Nation_, including columnist and contributing editor
Writing several books, including _Reasonable Creatures: Essays on Women and Feminism_ (1994) and _Pro: Reclaiming Abortion Rights_ (2014)
Being awarded the National Magazine Award for General Excellence in 2006
Notable Works or Actions
Pollitt's work has been widely recognized for its thought-provoking analysis of social issues. Some notable works include:
Her 1994 book _Reasonable Creatures: Essays on Women and Feminism_, which explores feminist politics, culture, and identity
Her 2003 essay "Why We Had to March," in which she reflects on the importance of protest and activism in shaping social change
Her advocacy for reproductive rights, including her support for abortion access and her critique of anti-choice legislationImpact and Legacy
Pollitt's writing has had a profound impact on feminist discourse and social justice movements. Her commitment to challenging dominant narratives and amplifying marginalized voices has inspired generations of writers and activists.
Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered
Katha Pollitt is widely quoted and remembered for her:
Insightful commentary: Her essays and articles offer nuanced analysis of complex issues, making her a go-to source for context and perspective.
Passion for social justice: Pollitt's commitment to fighting for reproductive rights, feminist causes, and human rights has made her an iconic figure in American journalism.
Unwavering dedication to truth-telling: Her refusal to shy away from controversy or compromise on principle has earned her respect and admiration from readers around the world.
As a testament to her enduring influence, Pollitt continues to contribute to _The Nation_ and other publications, inspiring new generations of writers, activists, and thinkers.
Quotes by Katha Pollitt
Katha Pollitt's insights on:
We do not have the idea that all children are valuable parts of society. We only have the idea that our own children are.
Coming out was crucial to changing attitudes about gays and lesbians: will people feel differently about abortion if they know their mother, their aunt, or their friend had one?
If you have been vaccinated for polio, mumps, measles, chicken pox, hepatitis, or rabies, it may be too late for you to stand your ethical ground: You have already benefited from fetal-tissue research. This is, after all, a practice that's been legal since the 1930s.
We want to make sure that women have a way to use all their gifts in society, to get educated, to be all they can be in the workforce, to really develop as people in all the ways that they can. We want this for men too! And we want this for children. Well this can't happen if this can be sandbagged by an ill-timed and unwanted pregnancy.
I put out a call on Twitter and Facebook and email for women to tell me their stories about their abortions. And many women said, 'I told my boyfriend I was pregnant, and that was the last I ever heard of them.'
Women who have abortions are people you know. Because that is the truth! One in three American women will have an abortion by menopause.
Women have to control their fertility for 30 years. Thirty years is a long time not to make mistakes.
My mother had an illegal abortion in 1960, which was the year the birth control pill came out, but I guess a little late for her, but - and I never knew. I found out when my father, after her death, got her FBI file.
We have an idea that the man should help pay for the child. But we don't have a law that says a man has to support any woman he gets pregnant. Why is that? Because she doesn't have the baby yet. But if we're going to say it's a human being, then he should be supporting her during pregnancy.
I think there are a very few pro-lifers who would say that a zygote in a petri dish is the equivalent of you or me; it's just younger. If you can say that without laughing, maybe you are a true pro-lifer. But I think most people are able or willing to make distinctions that show they maybe don't quite believe that.