|
I woke up today to a very different world than yesterday. I am filled with anger, shock, and confusion regarding the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v Wade. There is not a woman in America that will not feel the impact of this monumental and radical decision. As a young woman, I am fearful of what this means for my future, and ultimately the future of our country.
But I am not the only one scared, angry, and feeling uncertain. I asked my friends what a world post-Roe v. Wade means to them in my effort to gain clarity on my feelings of helplessness and rage surrounding this decision.
Haley, 26 (San Diego, California): “I feel like I'm living in a world where society has allowed greedy and power-hungry men to have too loud of a voice. It makes me feel less than human and it makes me question the men in my life who aren’t speaking up about it.”
Brooke, 21 (Deerfield, Illinois): “I feel forced to comply with men and people's religious viewpoints and beliefs that I don’t follow or agree with. This isn't what I want for myself or my body or any other woman. I feel like we have no choice and are bodies are becoming restricted.”
Sarah, 21 (Newton, Massachusetts): “I fear for the women who cannot travel hundreds of miles to obtain the type of care they need if they live somewhere where abortion access is banned or restricted.”
Jessi, 21 (Highland Park, Illinois): “I am not in the position to raise or support a child on my own. It's hard to imagine not having access to abortion and having to bring a child into this world when we are facing formula shortages, school shootings, and a lack of separation between church and state in this country.”
As a woman born in the 21st century, I have had opportunities and access to rights my grandmother and her mother never had. We have obtained masters and Ph.D. degrees, and now we work as high-level executives in most industries. Women are on the Supreme Court, fill the seats in Congress and serve next to the President. We can easily obtain access to a wide range of contraceptives and reproductive health services.
My generation needs to understand that fighting for reproductive rights is more than reposting a pink, flowery, infographic about our rights being taken away. The fight is about the type of country we want to live in and the type of opportunities we want going forward.
This summer I have committed my time to activism. Working at JAC I have seen firsthand the importance of supporting and working to elect pro-choice candidates. To my friends I say: get involved. VOTE. Speak up, and have uncomfortable conversations with friends and family about the importance of fighting for women's reproductive rights.
It is now up to my generation to turn this defeat into energy for the fight for our future. This is our moment. We must deliver -- and we will.
ELECTIONS HAVE CONSEQUENCES
JAC directly donates to pro-choice candidates
| 
