What is missing from the Roe v. Wade Debate
Women throughout the United States collectively screamed, “What the hell!!??,” on June 24, 2022. On that day, Roe V. Wade was overturned. This act left women unprotected against states moving toward creating laws to ban abortion, setting back women’s health rights by 50 years.
I was naïve enough to believe a member of the U.S. Supreme Court couldn’t overturn a nearly 50-year-old law. It is clear other laws are in danger of the same demise. In fact, Judge Clarence Thomas has already exposed his intent to overturn the 2015 U.S. Supreme Court ruling that legalized same sex marriage. If we are not careful, a form of slavery can return for Black Americans. All that we know is at stake.
When the media broke the news on the Roe V. Wade ruling, I saw misogyny and white privilege on full display. First, men in power once again telling women what to do with their bodies. Second, I saw another way our country dismantles laws which disenfranchise those with limited resources and people of color.
I am a woman of faith and pro-choice.
I understand the faith issue when it comes to abortion. But, if our faith doesn’t challenge how we make decisions, how good is it? I believe some people use faith as a reason to be “pro-life” - as it refers to abortions, rather than to have conversations with actual women who exercised their right to choose based on what would be best for them.
According to the Kaiser Family Foundation, more than half of the abortions in 2019 were performed on black women. Statistics reveal overall, Black, Hispanic, American Indian, and other non-white women have more limited access to contraception. These women are also more likely to receive dismissive treatment from their primary care physician.
In addition, 43% of women between ages 18-49 living in states where abortion has become or will likely become illegal, are women of color. For women living in states where abortion is illegal, black women are less likely to have access to funds to travel to get an abortion.
KFF (Kaiser Family Foundation), a nonprofit organization, is a top source of trusted information on national health issues. Click here to learn more about this and other health issues
Maybe the conversation needs to be focused on equality in our health care system. We all know it exists but where is the major act by the Supreme Court to make sure quality health care is received by all and not relegated only to those with quality insurance or financial means.
Maybe the conversation can be around how to support new mothers by not labeling them and creating systems that support them and their child up to 18 years of age, by providing affordable and competent health care, child-care, full- time employment with a decent wage, and health coverage. In addition, make sure the child has access to a quality education through the public school system. And we see in the City of Columbus, access to quality education for all in the public school system is still being fought for.
Am I being naïve? I don’t think so.
So, you’re pro-life?
I continue to hear the term pro-life when it comes to the issue of abortion. “Killing a child is just wrong,” I’ve heard.
However, let’s think of the following: Freddy Gray, Sandra Bland, George Floyd, Eric Garner, Michael Brown, Tamir Rice, Alton Sterling, Philando Castile, Breonna Taylor, Daunte Wright, Jayland Walker. I can go on, but won’t. If you must ask, just Google their names.
Where was the outrage among lawmakers as these Black Americans died at the hands of officers who appointed themselves judge and jury to kill these citizens, often in the name of “fearing for their life.” When outraged Americans protested with marches in response to these crimes, our government was offended. Where was the pro-life conversation as one black body after another died for no reason?
Women’s rights for sure will impact the outcomes of elections this Fall, specifically, their right to choose. Become educated on the issues and the candidates. Be aware of what candidates stand for before checking their name on the ballot to represent you. Have conversations with friends on both sides of all the issues. The right to choose goes beyond one act and one individual. The impact of protecting or not protecting a woman’s right to choose goes beyond our individual beliefs. The impact can affect the health and growth of communities in our future.
