Roe v Wade
The last blog was about Britain returning to the 70s, and for the most part, that still stands. However, America just made the biggest 70s move possible, except this time, women's rights have been reversed- Roe v Wade has been struck down.
Roe v Wade 1973 is the landmark case that allowed Americans access to abortion, a monumental decision in history. Recently, there had been rumours that the US Supreme Court was going to rule against it, changing the lives of Americans indefinitely. On Friday 24th June, the rumours were confirmed when the five Supreme Justices delivered their decision, overturning Roe v Wade and just under five decades of precedent. Americans are no longer entitled to an abortion as a federal constitutional right. Individual states can decide how strict the law needs to be, and 9 states have banned abortion outright, with Texas and Missouri seeing some of the harshest rules that ban abortion even in cases of rape or incest.
This ruling is one of the biggest attacks on women's bodily autonomy. For the first time in history, the daughters of today have fewer rights than their mothers and grandmothers. America prides itself on its reputation as the 'land of the free' and an upholder of democracy, but how can women be free if they can't choose what happens to their own bodies?
To support the ruling is to condemn millions of women, who will die trying to access abortion. Banning abortion does not work; it only increases the number of unsafe abortions available. To oppose the ruling is to stand with women who have been robbed of a basic human right: the right to choice.
You do not have to like abortion, or agree with it, or even have one yourself. But you cannot let your opinion stop other women from having the choice. This choice has now evaporated, and a regression in women's rights in one of the biggest superpower countries highlights what has always been there: the inherent sexism in a country that is so divided because of its educational gap. America has such a dichotomy of class and education in its people, particularly seen in the southern states and rural areas. It is in these areas with least education that we see the harshest abortion laws. This ruling comes at the same time as gun laws in America are expanded. Therefore, a gun is apportioned more worth than a woman. And with that, this has all come at a time when funding is non-existent. The Republican Party (GOP) is overjoyed at the ruling, but it is this very party that voted against child tax welfare benefits proposed by President Biden. At least ensure your opinion makes sense: how can you be anti-abortion and then not even care about the welfare of these potential children you are fighting for? Where is the funding for day care? Where is the funding for health care? Where is the protection of children from guns, the number one cause of child deaths in America?
Today, it is the regression of women's rights. Tomorrow, it is the regression of LGBTQ+ rights, with Supreme Justice Clarence Thomas' judgment outlining the re-evaluation of same-sex rights as well as access to contraception.
Roe v Wade is a warning: this is only the start of what is yet to come.
What do you think of the ruling?
Agree - abortion should not be an option
Disagree - it should be a woman's choice
Unsure
The poll is anonymous so feel free to vote!
#roevwade #abortion #supremecourtruling #supremecourt #gunlaws #america #1973 #humanrights #supremejustices #womensrights #autonomy
* Header photo is from:https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2022/jun/24/us-cities-protest-roe-v-wade-abortion-rights all rights reserved
* Poll photo is from: https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2019/02/27/new-poll-shows-spike-pro-life-sentiment-dont-panic-or-declare-victory/ all rights reserved
* Resources available online to support women in the US
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