The leaked document about Roe v. Wade was shocking but at the same time not! Abortion has always been a hot topic in America and very polarizing, either you are totally for it or totally against it. You hear a lot of the time that illegalizing abortion is part of the Republican agenda, but I don’t think that is completely true. Yes, the majority of Republicans and red states are against abortion, but political party is not the only thing that dictates this opinion. Religion, moral beliefs, and misinformation are big factors that affect people’s opinions on abortion as well.
More recently after Trump’s election into office, the republican party became extremely illiberal and extremist. Corrupt, racist, sexist, and misogynistic views and opinions were overwhelmingly forced into politics and media. Heightening these shared views and making the discussion about abortion hostile again. We’ve gone through this before with the feminist movement and the passing of Roe v. Wade. The current social and political climate is causing many issues to be brought up, re-opening the wounds in our country and government. (*Also, not all republicans support Trump or are against abortion, I wanted to mention Trump because his run in office kick-started this re-discussion of Roe v. Wade)
As this week’s reading and Professor Waychoff’s announcement pointed to, the main issue that is being overshadowed in the Roe v. Wade debate is that abortion is a right. The argument should not be about whether it is morally right or not, the only focus should be on whether or not it is a right the government should be able to strip away from people. We have to keep in mind: abortion being illegalized will not stop abortions from happening. Abortion being legal ensures people will be able to safely get the procedure done. The reversal of Roe v. Wade is absolutely oppressive. The government knows this would put many people’s lives at risk but is continuing the discussion to cater to the corrupt and sexist people in office. There is no law that holds power over a man’s body so why should it not be the same for women.
This current Roe v. Wade issue makes me think – why do women have to fight so hard for rights, safety, and respect. Roe v. Wade is meant to protect women and those who need access to a safe medical procedure, so why is the government trying to reverse it. Things like this make it clear and remind us of how oppressive our government is. Its current structure was built to oppress and the efforts to reverse Roe v. Wade show how hard this system is trying to stop progress and liberation.
Hello Aleah,
Most definitely there seems to be this fine line between what the government says is constitutionally correct but when it really comes down to our basic human rights, is where that line should be drawn. Understanding that a woman would only consider an abortion for fair reason is definitely a perspective that may not be widely agreed on but that still doesn’t establish the removal of said right.
Hey Aleah,
I let out a huge sigh at your first sentence, because i feel just the same. Somehow it is simultaneously shocking and not shocking. When we take a second and think about it we do see how oppressive the American government has been since the START of this country. It was not meant to serve those who aren’t cisgender heterosexual white (wealthy) men. It was built to keep everyone else controlled.
Criminalizing abortion will only stop safe abortions. People with money will still be able to get them.
I question why women have to fight so hard too. When the law and amendment was set … it seems like there was no real equal rights for women. If there was they wouldn’t have to fight for so much equality for the beginning. ROE VS WADE Is just a perfect example of how the government can all of a sudden try and make things worse for women.
I truly agree that abortion has always been ab hot topic in our country.