I am tired.
Tired of explaining why a woman should have the right to make medical decisions about her own body.
Tired of seeing women shamed, blamed, and belittled when they take up space and speak out.
Tired of seeing a small, cruel conservative minority ignore the wishes of more than 70% of the country.
I can only imagine how my older sisters, who protested these very same issues 50 years ago must feel. It’s hard to believe that girls born today could have fewer rights than those born in my mother’s generation.
But the call is clear: no one is coming to save us.
We must save ourselves.
On Monday May 2, 2022, a leak published by Politico informed us that The Supreme Court is poised to strike down Roe v Wade. While the leaked decision is devastating, it’s also completely out of touch with reality.
The truth is bans don’t stop abortions they only limit safe abortions. Women have always found ways to get abortions and will continue to do so if Roe is overturned. Wealthy men and women will continue to pay and travel for abortions when necessary. At its most insidious, a ban on abortion is a war on the most poor and vulnerable among us.
A party that bans abortion but refuses to provide support for pregnant women and the children they birth is not pro-life. We currently have the highest maternal mortality rate, no paid maternity leave, no universal, subsidized childcare or education, and no continued birth parent care.
The hypocrisy is blinding: this is a party that says they care about life, but then discard it once it’s birthed.
Unfortunately, their reign of terror will not stop with abortion. An expansion of state power will extend to voting rights, LGBTQ rights, and marriage equality. If they can roll back rights in one area, they will do so in others. It’s within the same line of case law.
While this is all horrifically bad news, don’t despair. Let this radicalize you. Let this awareness seep in and set you in motion. We need every woman in the arena. You are not helpless, and this is far from over.
Here’s what you need to know and what you can do:
VOTE
Check your voter registration status, get registered to vote and get election notifications at I am a voter.
DONATE
There are so many incredible organizations and campaigns involved in this fight. Here are a few to consider donating your funds:
Planned Parenthood
ACLU
National Women’s Law Center
Center for Reproductive Rights
NARAL Pro Choice America
National Network of Abortion Funds
AMPLIFY
Speak up, share and use your social channels to educate, connect and galvanize. Amplify others’ voice and stories, too. A few of the activists and advocates we follow include:
@supermajority
@jameelajamil
@jessicavalenti
@gloriasteinem
@feministabulous
@sarahsophief
@themeteor
@femalequotient
LEARN
Learn how to get a safe abortion and how to help others do the same. Visit www.abortiononourownterms.org to learn how to effectively manage an abortion. Follow @shoutyourabortion @plancpills and @heyjanehealth on Instagram for more information.
