In Focus

Recently documents were leaked that the Supreme Court may overturn Row vs Wade (the U.S. Supreme Court’s landmark decision to protect a woman’s right to choose to have an abortion). This has created a firestorm, as it should.

To me, this has never been about abortion. This is about a woman’s right to do what she wishes with her body. I have no right to tell you what to do with your body, as you have no right to tell me what to do with mine. And a bunch of old white guys definitely have no right to govern my bodily autonomy.

Many of you out there have said: “my body, my choice” concerning the COVID vaccines. This same phrase has been used for decades by pro-choice advocates. I call this hypocrisy if you say it’s wrong to be forced to get a vaccine but governing what a woman can do with her body is right?

Abortion will always be a hotly contested topic with many views and opinions on what’s right and what’s wrong. If the government is allowed to control my body, what’s to stop them from controlling yours? Don’t want that vaccine? What if you end up hearing “too bad”?

Do you want to tell a 13-year-old girl who got pregnant because she was sexually assaulted...too bad...you just have to deal with it? Yes, I realize there is adoption. But what if the mother’s life is at stake? There are many situations that don’t fit one standard ruling. As a sexual assault victim myself, had I been impregnated, I would have opted for an abortion.

There are parents with kids “living off the system” and you maybe don’t like that they “live off your taxes”. There is child abuse and neglect. And many unwanted pregnancies.

I’ve begun to view “pro-life” as those that focus on only the unborn. What about the well-being of the mother? So...damned if you do, damned if you don’t.

Here’s a thought...there are potential babies lost daily. Are they going to outlaw periods and masturbation? What about birth control, vasectomies, and getting your tubes tied?

Why do people continue to attack women and continue to treat them as the lesser sex? What happened to equality? There was a time when doctors would only talk to the husband if the wife was sick, and she would never know what was wrong with her. And treatment options were left up to the husband. Is that what we are going back to?

Here is a fun fact for you. Mammals and human embryos begin as females. It takes about six weeks before hormones determine if you are going to be a male or remain a female.

Don’t get me wrong, a young life is precious. I’m not saying otherwise. We don’t know the situations other people are in, and it’s not our place to judge. Those decisions and the repercussions of those decisions should be left to that other person and their healthcare provider and whomever. That decision is that person’s alone...not mine, not yours, and definitely not the government’s.

I will fight to protect our rights and beliefs but will you fight for others?