I am writing this with tears in my eyes, frustrated and defeated for people with uterus’ everywhere, especially in America. Yesterday the Supreme Court made the decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, which for nearly 50 years has protected the right to abortion. Since this only 16 out of 50 states are protecting the right to an abortion.
Yesterday the Supreme Court ruled guns safe and abortion murder, despite the fact that less than a month ago 19 children and 2 teachers were murdered at the hands of a gun. Claiming to care about a foetus over actual living children with rights, yet not willing to change the one thing that would save so many lives. Around 1300 children under the age of 18 die from shootings every year. They care about an unborn child but not the 400,000 children that are in foster care in America, which will now only increase. They say they are ‘pro-life’ until the baby is poor, sick, gay, an immigrant, of colour, transgender or mentally ill.
This isn’t about caring for children; it’s about controlling women.
People with wombs will now suffer mentally, physically, and financially because they have had their choice stolen from them. America is one of the largest countries in the west, yet one of the least progressive. We have woken up today 50 years in the past where women were told what they can and can’t do. America: land of the free, but this of course only applies straight white men.
And this has been proven time and time again, and with Roe v. Wade being overturned, it will show itself in brighter light. And already has, the penalty for aborting after rape is more severe than the penalty for rape. A rapist and their families can sue the victim for having an abortion. Women in America are being convicted of manslaughter after having miscarriages, something heart-breaking for most and out of control for everyone.
It doesn’t stop there; Roe v. Wade could have a domino effect on further issues outside of abortion. It was used in many life changing cases in the US, including legalising: gay marriage, sodomy, and homosexuality, interracial or bi-racial marriages, the ability for married couples to buy contraception and so many more. Justice Clarence Thomas wasted no time in proposing that the Supreme Court reconsider the past ruling which protects same sex relationships and marriages.
Abortions won’t stop just because they become illegal, the only thing that will change is the number of people who will die trying to get one. From 2010 to 2014, the number of abortions in countries where they are illegal was nearly the same as the countries where they are legal. Banning abortions only makes them unsafe, back alleys and bleach will be used again. Whoopi Goldberg shared her experience: “Getting an abortion is not easy, making that decision is not easy. It’s not something people do lightly! It’s not something you can just do! It is a hard, awful decision that people make.” She also said that when people make decisions for women, they will take it into their own hands.
Increased deaths from at-home abortions won’t be the only rise, women dying during pregnancy will significantly increase because of this ban. Abortions can be medically necessary to save the woman’s life, complications happen all the time during pregnancy where terminating is the only option. Ectopic pregnancy, miscarriage, placental abruption, and infection are just a few where an abortion is the safest option.
Minorities, like people of colour, disabled people and people with low incomes will be affected by this change disproportionately. Research found that black women faced a maternal death rate 3.5 times that of white women. And it is expected that there will be a 33% rise in pregnancy-related deaths for black women. 90% of all people with developmental disabilities will experience sexual assault, and for a large majority of people with disabilities, kids mean life or death. These restrictions also harm trans men and nonbinary people who already struggle to get the access to health care they need.
This is only the beginning, and it will only get worse from here.
If you aren’t angry, you aren’t listening.
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