Controlling Women: What We Must Do Now to Save Reproductive Freedom Book Review

I’ve been a feminist for nearly two decades. One of the things that has become apparent is that feminism is about women gaining control of our lives and our choices. Though who oppose this idea would rather that we remain the silent and dutiful helpmeets who do not dare to even consider speaking up for ourselves.

Controlling Women: What We Must Do Now to Save Reproductive Freedom, by Julie F. Kay and Kathryn Kolbert, was published last month. In the book, they talk about why Roe V. Wade is important and how after nearly fifty years, it is in serious danger of being gutted or destroyed completely. Speaking specifically about the Irish Abortion Referendum and the little ways the states are undermining it (i.e. the numerous fetal heartbeat bills), they talk about how important it is to save reproductive freedom.

I was reminded of two things while I read this book. The first is that if the anti-abortion activists get their way, the ones that will be most affected will be poor women and women of color. Historically, they have had the least amount of access to healthcare and specifically, women’s healthcare. Which leads to unsafe and deadly methods (i.e. coat hanger abortions) of ending pregnancies instead of doing so in a medically safe and healthy manner. The second is the call to action. We can talk all the talk we want, but until we walk the walk, a woman’s right to choose will always be on the verge of disappearing.

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Paxton Smith is My New Hero

When fighting against injustice, superheroes don’t always wear capes or use fantastic weaponry. Some are just brave enough to stand up and speak their truths.

Earlier this months, recent Texas high school graduate Paxton Smith stepped up the microphone to give her valedictorian speech. Instead of reading from the text that was approved by the administration, she used her platform to speak out against the heartbeat bill signed into law by Governor Greg Abbott.

The problem with this bill is that it goes into effect before pregnancy is detected, taking away the person’s right to make a decision about their body and their future. The problem with this bill and others like it is that is shortsighted. It does not take into account if the pregnancy comes about via rape, incest, or if it is medically necessary to abort the pregnancy. It also ignores the millions of already existing children who for a variety of reasons, are growing up in less than economically ideal circumstances. Where is the need to help those kids?

We need more young women like Paxton Smith. With future leaders like her, I see a bright future for this country.

Thoughts On Sex Ed for Senators

Logic states that when a major decision needs to be made, one completes research and gathers all of the facts before making said decision. Unfortunately, politics and logic don’t always go hand in hand.

In the wake of the Alabama abortion bill and the various fetal heartbeat bill that have passed in other states, I hope that the lawmakers consulted with anyone in the medical community or at least have someone on their staff check on the Internet before signing the bills into law. But hope often springs eternal.

The scary part of these bills is that these lawmakers are putting the lives of America’s women and girls in danger without blinking an eye. If they really cared about us, they would in the very least, speak to a medical professional or ask one of their staff to make sure that they have the right information. But they didn’t and because of that, who knows how many lives could be at stake?

Thank you, Samantha Bee for speaking the truth. If only we could all do the same.

Thoughts On the Fetal Heartbeat Bill

We all recognize that life is precious, especially the lives of our children. The problem is that we do not recognize or remember that our children grow within their mother’s bodies and it is the mother who is as important in the process as the fetus that is growing inside of her.

Yesterday, Governor Brian Kemp (R-Georgia), signed the Fetal Heartbeat Bill. In layman’s terms, abortion is allowed until a heartbeat of a fetus is detected. The problem is that that a heartbeat is detected within five to six weeks of pregnancy, when many women may not be aware that they are pregnant.

Without directly saying so, Governor Kemp has signed a law that bans all abortions.

I don’t know if the Governor or his team consulted with any doctors, but my heart of hearts tells me with that this is wrong. A woman’s right to choose is an unalienable right. The problem is that many still believe that a woman does not have the right to choose how to live her life (which extends to if and/or when she has a child).

While I understand the point of view of those who are pro-life, I disagree with them. If a woman has an abortion, for whatever reason she has it, that decision is between herself, her doctor, her G-d (if she belongs to a particular faith) and the father (if there is a father). Outside of that small circle, no one has the right to tell a woman what to do with her life or her future.