Over the past week, we have watched Texas unravel into chaos. From banning mask mandates to abortions, Texas’ politicians have officially reached a whole new level of idiocy. And while I would normally say ignorance, ignorance more often than not is a choice, especially when discussing rich, white, cisgender men, who have access to every learning tool imaginable. So, in this instance, it is very much idiocy.
It’s not even the humorous kind. It’s dangerous. It will quite literally end lives or cause life-long emotional and/or physical trauma. It is incredibly important we not only understand why, but that we Rayze awareness and demand equitable action.
Although Texas has introduced or proposed a plethora of new and harmful laws, one that is at the forefront of every news station is the ban on abortion after 6 weeks. There are hundreds of reasons why this is problematic, but let’s start with the very basic: individuals no longer have control over their bodies.
Regardless of the situation or how the pregnancy occurred, it is women, trans men, genderqueer, and non-binary individuals whose bodies are impacted. Therefore, it is only these people who should have a say in what happens to their bodies. There is no place for religion, politics, or the opinions of others in this. This is about body autonomy. And this is something ALL HUMAN BEINGS are entitled to.
We need to stop addressing this issue as if it is as simple as pro or anti-abortion. Agreeing that individuals should have the right to choose what they do with their bodies, does not mean you need to pursue an abortion or agree with the concept. All it means is that you are a decent human being who cares about the well-being of others.
Secondly, abortion is not only valid in certain circumstances. A lot of people understand the concept of abortion if it is regarding specific instances, such as rape, being too young, or incest. The reality is, though, all abortions are valid. Whether some one chooses to have an abortion due to rape, or because they are not mentally or financially stable, or simply because they do not want a child and our foster system is shit, their reasoning is valid. And guess what? What another person chooses to do with their body is their business. No one is entitled to ask questions or receive answers.
Lastly, banning abortions does not stop people from accessing them. Individuals seeking an abortion will still have an abortion, except this time, it may not be in a safe environment. It may not be done properly or by a medical professional. And it will most likely lead to some degree of emotional or physical trauma.
