A young girl becomes pregnant in Texas where the state bans abortion
A young girl becomes pregnant in Texas where the state bans abortion
On the morning of June 24, I woke up to my sun-filled room with a desire to dress up in a hot girl summer outfit and go out shopping with my family. I got out of bed, slipped into my black Nike slippers and walked into my parents’ room where I found my mom sitting up on top of her bed in her pajamas with the TV remote in hand. Before I could say anything, she turned on the TV and the news was already on. Just as the picture illuminated on-screen, a news reporter said that the Supreme Court had just overturned Roe v. Wade. My mom and I were both in shock.
I found myself pondering on a few questions. Why can’t everyone respect a woman’s choice and their right to privacy? Are states prioritizing securing laws for gun control but not laws supporting women’s rights? Why does it feel like America is fighting these battles again? For the rest of that morning and onward, my mom and I discussed our own viewpoints on the overturning of Roe v. Wade.
It’s our right as women to make choices and to have control over our own body. The option of choosing abortion belongs to a woman because it's her business – not anyone else's. The choice of abortion gives women permission to make choices suitable for their own body. Every woman seeking an abortion has her own story. One might have a history of reproductive complications or be in other situations where abortion is the best option. With many states banning abortion, they are hindering women’s right to choose, which frightens me. As a young woman of color, I’m concerned about the repercussions for Black women and for women of color’s reproductive health. It’s important to consider that there’s a long history of health care harming marginalized communities at disproportionate rates.
Women of color need to be in control of their own bodies and their own lives. For decades, women fought and persevered for women today to have a right to choose. I’m appalled to witness a setback on women’s rights. It almost seems as though states where abortion is banned are forcing motherhood upon these women, especially young girls in cases of rape, abuse and incest. Traveling out-of-state is not an option for some women seeking abortion when the highest percentage of women with unintended pregnancies are below the poverty line. It’s likely that most women from low-income backgrounds can’t take time off work or school, find a caretaker and afford both the trip and abortion expenses, which doesn’t leave much of a choice.
After the overturning of Roe v. Wade, it’s unsettling for me to observe a generation of women stripped of their reproductive rights, but most importantly, a women’s right to choose for her own body. Instead of being pro-life or pro-choice, I identify most with the words of Margaret Sanger, an activist for women’s reproductive rights and founder of the birth control movement.
“No woman can call herself free who does not control her own body.”
This is the opinion of Courtney Hollins, a senior journalism major from Chino Hills, Calif. Email comments to editor@theloyolan.com. Follow and tweet comments to @LALoyolan on Twitter, and like the Loyolan on Facebook.
Courtney Rose Hollins ('22) is a journalism major from Chino Hills, Calif. She loves watching all kinds of movies, listening to music and is passionate about storytelling.
Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items.
Your comment has been submitted.
There was a problem reporting this.
As you are an African American woman, I would encourage you to research just how Margaret Sanger felt about your fellow African Americans. When you do you might not be so keen on quoting her in future columns.
Also, no opinion on the rights of the unborn child? Or are they just clumps of cells? Zygotes? Parasites? Or whatever the new catch phrase is to dehumanize them?
Keep it Clean. Please avoid obscene, vulgar, lewd, racist or sexually-oriented language. PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR CAPS LOCK. Don't Threaten. Threats of harming another person will not be tolerated. Be Truthful. Don't knowingly lie about anyone or anything. Be Nice. No racism, sexism or any sort of -ism that is degrading to another person. Be Proactive. Use the 'Report' link on each comment to let us know of abusive posts. Share with Us. We'd love to hear eyewitness accounts, the history behind an article.
Success! An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup.
Error! There was an error processing your request.
A post shared by The Los Angeles Loyolan (@laloyolan)
laloyolan.com 1 LMU Dr. #8470 Los Angeles, CA 90045 Phone: 310-338 2700 Email: editor@theloyolan.com
© Copyright 2021 Los Angeles Loyolan, 1 LMU Dr. #8470 Los Angeles, CA
Powered by BLOX Content Management System from TownNews.com
Please disable your ad blocker, whitelist our site, or purchase a subscription