Tennessee just passed–and the governor signed into law–one of the most restrictive abortion laws in the country. It is natural that those who are anti-choice are delighted. It is equally natural that those who are either pro-choice or pro human rights for women are appalled. It will be swiftly challenged (the ACLU is already putting together a case). We watch as Roe is stripped of any meaningful usefulness, little by little, and can do little about it. Below is a little bit of how I feel toward those who believe this is progress.
The silliest (and intentional) part here is almost no women know they’re pregnant at 6 weeks. Thus by the time they find out, it is already too late. Again, this is totally intentional.
They claim to believe Black lives matter, but don’t support public education, community outreach programs, and justice- and police reform.
They claim to feel compassion for those in other countries who are being jailed, tortured, executed, but don’t want these victims in our country, with or without following “the legal process”.
They claim to believe in democracy, but show they neither understand nor respect democracy, by supporting an authoritarian president who uses the military, the Justice Department, and SCOTUS as his own political weapons, uses his political power of the White House to go after enemies, and who is doing his best to destroy the free press, peaceful protests, and other symbols of the very fabric of democracy.
They claim to believe in equal rights for women, but refuse to reconsider the ERA, equal pay for equal work, family advocacy, good access to women’s healthcare and family planning, and a strong network for victims of abuse.
They claim unborn children’s lives matter, yet their track record once the child is born is a giant human rights catastrophe. They don’t support strong public education. Don’t support family wellness programs. Don’t support the types of social welfare often needed for the poorest members of society to exist while raising their kids. (And remember, most abortions come from the lower strata, economically.) They don’t offer strong community outreach for abused children, for parents fighting drug or alcohol addiction. They don’t support a living wage that helps poorer families raise a child.
Wouldn’t it be better to make abortions something of last resort, by making it harder to get pregnant or making it far more desirable to keep the child?
What more can I say?