Roe v. Wade protects our essential reproductive rights
The right to a safe and destigmatized abortion is essential. It is not a matter of religious or political values, but rather a personal choice. This right that protects our population is in danger of being overturned, putting babies and adults in danger all around America.
Access to safe and legal abortion was made a constitutional right after much controversy and deliberation through the 1973 Supreme Court case, Roe v. Wade. However, the recent nomination of Amy Coney Barrett to fill Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s spot on the Supreme Court has presented a dangerous situation. Barrett’s strictly conservative record could have serious consequences on the fight for reproductive rights.
Roe v. Wade is essential to maintaining the individual’s right to bodily autonomy. Healthcare should not be a politicized issue, and the right to a safe and legal abortion is healthcare.
Accessibility of legalized abortions quite literally means life or death: according to Planned Parenthood, illegal abortions were the cause of at least one in six pregnancy-related deaths prior to legalization. What those against abortion fail to realize is that abortions will continue to happen regardless of legal status. Instead, individuals will return to the unsafe methods rampant before regulation, putting the health of many at risk.
While anti-abortion opinions range from strengthening restrictions to banning abortion entirely, arguments often depend on declaring it sinful and murderous, with their reasoning in morality and religion. However, whether your political or moral values align with abortion is irrelevant in the discussion about reproductive rights.
The fight for legalized abortion should not be about religion or ethical justification. You do not need to “agree” with abortion to be pro-choice. The pro-choice movement is about giving individuals the right to make choices for their own bodies, whatever they deem best for them (and their child, should they choose to continue to pregnancy.)
If an individual is not financially, physically or mentally prepared to have a baby, there is no justifiable reason to force them to carry to full-term. No matter the reason, the choice of abortion should be their choice alone.
In our current climate, the possibility of Roe v. Wade being overturned should scare you. Now is the time to speak up. We cannot sit silently as these decisions are being made in our government without our input.
Even if you are not somebody who is capable of receiving an abortion, there are many in your life who are. Fight to give them control to make this life-changing decision for themselves. Reproductive rights are so much more than just a pawn to further a sick political agenda.
