As you can see from the “About” section here on my website, I am a life-long pro-choice supporter and dedicated women’s health advocate. Although I, like many other activists, have been expecting a direct attack on Roe V. Wade for years, this week’s events still come as terrible news.
During my time as a pro-choice activist I have observed that lack of safe abortion care overwhelmingly affects low-income women of color, who often lack the resources to travel to states where abortions are more readily available. The Reproductive Justice Movement recognizes this disparity and seeks to remedy it.
We must also recognize that forcing ANY woman to give birth is a direct assault on all of our freedom, and our personal destiny. That includes the right to shape our careers according to whether or not we want to become parents, and the exact timing of such a momentous decision. The late RBG said that, “Women belong in all places where decisions are being made.” Women also belong in all places where work is being done, including tech, law, finance, science, engineering, construction and politics. Forcing women to give birth would remove a significant percentage of us from these places, and keep us from fully engaging with the economy and securing our own economic future, and that of our families as well.
Our collective outrage about this issue CAN be leveraged to make lasting change. But although we may be tempted to rush right in, it’s important to let those who have already been fighting at the forefront for years lead the way, especially at this critical time.
Donate, join, and support these orgs as they lead the fight:
Latina Institute for Reproductive Justice
Here are some upcoming local and national events:
Rise Up for Abortion Rights events May 8-14th
Sign the petition and find a local rally at Bans Off Our Bodies
Finally, call your representatives and let them know we won’t accept having our rights taken away: Congresspeople HERE and Senators HERE