If you pay attention to the news or have spent any time on Instagram recently, you have probably heard talk of what is happening down in Texas. This is obviously a serious issue, but why would a school newspaper be writing about it from 1,500 miles away? Surely it does not affect OA and it’s students, or does it? I talked to two of our own students to pick their brain on this topic.
In case you are not aware of what is happening, here’s a quick run down. In May of 2021, Texas Governor Greg Abbott, a 63 year old white Republican man, signed a law banning abortions after six weeks. The law prohibits abortions after cardiac activity can be detected by medical professionals, which usually occurs around the six week mark. Unfortunately, most people do not even know they are pregnant until or around the six week mark. Therefore, pregnancy resources such as Your Loving Choices are very important. Although this law was signed by the governor, the Supreme Court still had to vote on it. There was a massive outcry, with people pleading online and in the streets to shut it down. Even with all of the backlash, the Supreme Court ruled in favor of the law, allowing it to be put into place.
Just a day later, a 17 year old girl died in Texas trying to give herself an at home abortion. What these Texas lawmakers do not understand is that people get abortions for a myriad of reasons, mostly for their own personal safety and well-being as well as that of the child’s. Making this choice for a mom can be difficult, meaning that it is being made for a reason. Because of this, people who have decided this is what they need to do will terminate no matter what. The law just makes it more dangerous to have an abortion, meaning it is doing more to take lives rather than to save them.
In order to see how students at OA are feeling about the news of the enforcement of this law, I asked a few seniors who have openly spoken about this issue. Molly Skinner believes that the passing of this law in Texas opens the door to it being passed in other states. She also says that this is not just an issue pertaining to women, but to anyone who is partaking in the activities that result in pregnancy. It should not just be the woman’s responsibility to deal with the consequences. What infuriates her is that the consequences for aborting a child who is the result of rape is now more severe than the punishment for the rapist, in what world should that be true? Molly then went on to inform me that a march will be taking place in Boston on October 2nd and if you can not attend, you can donate to the movement through the Global Women’s March website.
I also talked to Evan Hilliard, another senior here at OA. I thought it was important to get the perspective of a male student because this issue affects everyone. When asked why it is important that not just women care about this issue Evan stated “Any and all injustices require attention. I believe it is part of our duties as Americans to stand alongside each other.” Evan believes that the passing of these laws are sexist because it is just another example of men controlling women’s bodies, which has been happening for “centuries”. He is concerned for all of the women who are now being forced to have these children whether or not they are financially, mentally and physically ready. Evan believes that it is about time that women receive the right to make laws about their own bodies and I could not agree more. Just because this law does not exactly apply to him, he says it is important for men to stay up to date and put themselves in the shoes of women. He recognizes that as a white man in this country he never has to worry about his reproductive rights being “up for grabs” and sees that it is the opposite for women who have these fears every day. I asked him what we as high school students can do to help and he reminded me that “the smallest spark has the potential to start the biggest, brightest fires.” Meaning get out there to protest, research, or even post on social media.