Taking Our Country Back- Kyla Korpics

 

                              Women's march documented by the University of California Press

After the overturn of Roe v Wade on June 24, 2022, “freedom and justice for all” now feel more like “freedom and justice for those the government deems worthy”. According to the New York Times, “most abortions are now banned in at least 13 states restricting the procedure take effect following the Supreme Court's decision to overturn Roe V. Wade”. In a country that pushes the “American dream” and freedom in the land of opportunity, women should be guaranteed access to reproductive health and abortion services if they are not, the country is headed down a dark unruly path. Americans cannot allow their country to be stolen from them at the hand of radical government officials. 

The government should not make medical decisions for the American people. Women everywhere have spent decades fighting for their rights, so why would the country go back in time. In 1913 women marched for the right to vote and now women are marching for the right to their own bodies. Women's suffrage is not over. The minute Americans start to allow the government to take control of one thing they will only continue to take it. Reproductive and abortion rights should not be the starting point of a revolution against women. 

Even religious groups are contributing to the reproductive rights movement. One organization, in particular, is The Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice, "RCRC values and promotes religious liberty which upholds the human and constitutional rights of all people to exercise their conscience to make their own reproductive health decisions without shame and stigma". Reproductive rights are human rights, everyone should have equal access to medical assistance no matter their faith. Preach love not hate, and love thy neighbor. 

Americans must continue to fight and uphold the beliefs of the constitution. Reproductiverights.org notes, "The supreme court recognized that the right to an abortion is a fundamental liberty protected by the fourteenth amendment of the constitution" (reproductiverights.org). Communities are upheld by strong individuals with high involvement in their communities which is no different for this situation. The American Journal of Public Health notes, “Reproductive well-being and equity require systems working together to develop trust and authentic, power-sharing relationships with communities, particularly those that have been historically marginalized.” If the community is well structured today as in previous years, America will slowly return to its once-great state. 

Another common stigma in terms of abortion access is the role played by planned parenthood. Often times protesters are seen outside of planned parenthood establishments that are against abortion, but their company does much more. Planned Parenthood provides countless other services to aid in reproductive and sexual wellness outside of abortion. If we abolish abortion and close down Planned Parenthood locations, people everywhere will lose access to affordable STD and STI testing. Those who are carrying a baby and plan to carry it to term will lose Planned Parenthood as a resource throughout their pregnancy.

In order to properly prepare new mothers to be effective parents the government should focus on keeping the resources such as planned parenthood open and available to mothers rather than striking them down for access to abortions. Having a child is a huge responsibility with a lot of different aspects to consider. If someone, who under any circumstance, becomes pregnant decides they cannot handle that responsibility, they should have the right to choose what is best for them and their body. It is not the government's job to regulate what the general population decides to do for their own health. It is their job to make sure those seeking care have the access to make those decisions.

To promote change Americans need to express their natural born right to free speech and work towards a brighter tomorrow. Women are at risk, and not enough is being done to help the cause. It is up to the American people to fight for what is right and continue to march forward for the abolishment of women's suffrage. If America continues to oppress women, all the work done to get to this point will be undone. All of the marches, protests, and laws passed will mean nothing if we allow the government to regulate what women do with their bodies.

In addition, restricting abortion access does not deter abortions it instead prevents safe abortion care and puts the health of the pregnant woman at risk. The World Health Organization states, “23,000 women die from unsafe abortions each year and tens of thousands more experience significant health complications globally”. Women experiencing complications may be discouraged to reach out for help for fear of a fine, especially if abortive access is restricted in their state.  These restrictions do regularly deter specialists to provide help as well even in situations that could be fatal for the fetus or for the mother. If the government really wants to help women it would provide the care they need rather than put them at risk. Americans need to maintain their power, not give it away to radical government figures.