Scan barcode
Reviews
Bodies Under Siege: How the Far–Right Attack on Reproductive Rights Went Global by Sian Norris
youeatdogfood's review
challenging
emotional
informative
reflective
medium-paced
5.0
5 stars. What a book! I have so much to say about it, so to start: Sian Norris’s ‘Bodies Under Siege’ is a fucking terrifying and infuriating examination of the global far-right’s relentless attacks on reproductive rights. Norris navigates the intricate web of far-right extremism, bringing to light the disturbing and shocking realities that underlie this pervasive issue, fr lack of a better word.
Norris doesn’t at all shy away frm the deeply unsettling truths about the extent of hatred directed towards women, queer people, immigrants, and POC, as she paints us a vivid picture of the horrific landscape where reproductive rights are under attack. It’s beyond scary, and Norris’s narrative style not only informed but truly emotionally engaged me, making me - and I’m sure every other reader who isn’t a fascist and also who is marginalised in some way - absolutely and acutely aware of the stakes involved. It’s a stark wake-up call, urging those of us who might not be aware of the extent to which anti-choice (and anti-immigrant, anti-Black, misogynist, queerphobic, etc etc) views are proliferating globally to confront the harsh realities of a world where the far-right’s hostility towards many marginalised communities is not only real but intensifying and resurgent, if it never went away to begin w.
One thing this book unveiled that truly rotted my brain, though there were many moments of brain-rot, was the deep-rooted network of funding, primarily frm the US, sustaining anti-choice, queerphobic, and anti-immigrant activism in Europe. The revelation of over $81.3 million (US) in dark web money frm 2009 to 2018 reflects a concerted effort by various orgs, notably, according to Norris, the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, Alliance Defending Freedom, and the American Center for Law and Justice (which has European and Slavic branches) to reshape global views on reproductive rights, and women’s, LGBTIQ, and civil rights more broadly.
Norris discusses the opacity surrounding these financial flows and how it raises concerns about the extent of influence wielded by external actors. Fr instance, the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association’s substantial spending in Europe, coupled w a shift in tax status to evade reporting (like what the ruck !!!), highlights a deliberate effort to operate discreetly and to avoid scrutiny. The Alliance Defending Freedom, w a donation of £324,000 to AD International (UK) in 2020, exemplifies how foreign funds can significantly impact local initiatives, such as actions against abortion clinic buffer zones and research influencing government policies.
As well, the mention of anonymous donors to the National Christian Foundation further complicates the funding landscape, emphasising the myriad challenges in tracking and understanding the full scope of financial influence. The sizeable European spending footprint of $1.57 billion (US) by the National Christian Foundation between 2009 and 2018 also amplifies the scale and longevity of external contributions. This financial interconnectedness is not merely an economic exchange. Rather, it’s a strategic investment in shaping societal narratives and legal frameworks. The diverse range of recipients, frm religious-right orgs and even in some cases to radical feminist groups (aka terfs), and on to think tanks like the Federalist Society and the Cato Institute, indicates a very multifaceted approach to advancing specific and incredibly dangerous ideological agendas.
In essence, Norris underscores the intricate relationship between money and influence, revealing a complex maze of foreign funding shaping conversations around gender, culture, and laws not just in Europe and the US, but also across the globe. The implications go far beyond financial transactions, emphasising the imperative fr transparency and awareness in understanding how external forces impact the socio-political fabric of nations.
‘Bodies Under Siege’ has definitely earned my five-star rating through its chilling, plain fucking scary and enraging, and overall incredibly thoroughly researched exploration of a global crisis steadily getting worse and becoming mainstream. Norris’s unflinching commitment to shedding light on these issues makes this book a must-read that, to reiterate once again, urges us to acknowledge, understand, and galvanise against the challenges posed by far-right extremism to marginalised individual’s and communities’ rights on a global scale.
kolymaarasto's review against another edition
dark
informative
medium-paced
3.25
Reads a bit more like a manifesto, so while the information & message are important and somewhat frightening, the presentation did not work so well for me. Hardly any of the information provided was new for me.
kcarri's review
4.0
An accessible examination into the the far-right sphere in relation to abortion rights and misogyny as well as a call to arms for people to open their eyes, see how the world works and who for, and why we need to salvage the future from those who've ruined it. A vital read.
alfboyreads's review
4.0
here i was thinking the great replacement theory was just a fringe, 4chan message board thing...oh boy
More...