If the reversal of Roe v. Wade was really about the babies, why does the United States have the highest infant mortality rate in the developed world? If it was really about the babies, why does the United States have the highest maternal mortality rate in the developed world?
If it was really about the babies, we would guarantee women at least three months of paid maternity leave.
If it was really about the babies, we wouldn't pay working parents $7.25 an hour.
If it was really about the babies, we would provide quality, affordable childcare.
If it was really about the babies, no child in our country would ever go hungry.
If it was really about the babies everyone would know this fact: making abortion illegal does NOT reduce the number of abortions. If anything the rate of abortion decreases in countries where it is legal.
If it was really about the babies, the topic of abortion might not even be debated because all of us would be too busy taking care of the babies.
But it isn't about the babies at all. It is about the oppression of women, especially poor women of color. The decision to overturn Roe v. Wade is nothing more than a political power play to keep white privileged people in power, particularly men.
When I first learned about the reversal of Roe v. Wade, I couldn't even find words to express my rage or to offer a word of comfort to anyone. My daughter took a screenshot of a few of AOC's tweets today. The following words inspired and challenged me to work for a better world instead of giving into despair.
Someone asked Rep. AOC, "Are we screwed?" Her response made me all the more grateful for my faith community in Austin, TX, Central Presbyterian Church. The third paragraph particularly reminded me of our congregation. This is why we gather for worship, serve our neighbors, and work for justice.
Any typos are mine, not AOC's. I had to retype this because the screenshot was hard to read.
“My honest view is that things are likely going to get harder before they get better, and we will need to stick together.
“What is important in moments like these is to not think in binaries. Good/bad, screwed/not-screwed. There is no doubt that things are bad. Some things, really bad. And they may likely get worse. But that does not preclude the fact that slowly, but surely some good can be growing as other things fall apart. This is not some syrupy sweet silver lining case for optimism. Rather it is really about a choice all of us will have to make in life, either consciously or unconsciously: Will I be a person who is safe and creates good for others. Will I be person who stands up? Will I be a person who primarily minds my business and serves myself or try to be part of something bigger? Or will I just be a passive, “neutral” observer of it all?
“What I sometimes tell my staff is that the world we are fighting for is already here. It exists in small spaces, places and communities. We don’t have to deal with the insurmountable burdens of coming up with novel solutions to all the world’s problems. Much of our work is about scaling existing solutions, many created by small committed groups of people that others haven’t seen or don’t even know are around the corner. So while we can’t change the world in a day, we CAN and do have the power to make our own world within our four walls, or our own blocks. We can grow from there with the faith that somewhere out there, everywhere, others are doing the same. And we will come together. That’s why if your are a parent, how you parent matters. If you’re a neighbor, how you are a neighbor matters. Many of our biggest problems are results of massively scaled up isolation from others. That means many of our solutions can be found in creating community.
“Ultimately we live in this world and in this time. We have no choice but to engage in it while we’re here. Even running away is a form of engagement. So will your engagement hurt or heal? Build or bring down? There is no neutral choice so we can at least do our best to make good ones and learn and do better the next day.
“You are allowed to be scared. To grieve. To be angry. But you are also allowed to create good, to be soft, and enjoy the small reprieves. Struggle lasts as long as we do.”
Sources:
USA Infant Mortality Rate
USA Maternal Death Rate
