I want to start this post by giving a disclaimer. The themes discussed in this blog post may be difficult or triggering to read such as violence against women, sexual assault, bodily autonomy, mentions of miscarriages, and abortion. This blog post will also not be as researched as previous posts as I am too exhausted to read 100 articles about my rights being taken away. Next week’s post will include a detailed history of Roe vs. Wade, other legislation meant to protect women, and what you can do as an activist and as a person negatively affected by the inaction of our elected officials. For now, I am going to complain in a hopefully insightful and eloquent manner despite wanting to be anything but eloquent at this time.
I am so exhausted. I am at my breaking point. I did my civic duty. I voted for the people who promised to keep me safe, keep my friends safe, and keep my sisters safe. What now?
How am I supposed to pick up and keep going while my rights are being taken from under my nose? How am I supposed to write my paper, go to work, show up at meetings, apply for jobs, and get ready to graduate? How do I laugh at funny memes when they’re sandwiched between posts debating my bodily autonomy? How do I show up to family gatherings and listen to people who “love” me rejoice that “we’re finally saving the babies”? How do I even consider my familial pressure to start a family when if something goes wrong I’m left to choose between my life or jail time?
How am I supposed to be a proud American when the near future is one where women who miscarry or get abortions have a heavier sentence than violent sexual predators?
In a country where 60% of the people agree that abortion should be legal a handful of people get to pull the strings that hurt everyone else. Upperclass women will not suffer from Roe vs. Wade being overturned. They can catch a bus or a plane to get to some swanky secret doctor that will perform any procedure hush-hush. Poor women, women of color, abused and battered women, trans people, and children will suffer. Not the women writing their John Hancock on a bill.
What I can say that hasn’t been said a million times before? What metaphor can I make that makes any difference?
It’s not lost on me that while I complain women in other countries are struggling for the crumbs of protection we get in the United States. I am exhausted outside of Roe vs. Wade being overturned. Women all over the world are made to walk so many tightropes, how could we not act like heinous bitches all the time?
Be sexy but don’t be a slut but don’t be a tease but did you lead him on but don’t be a bitch but why don’t you give him a chance but why didn’t you say no but you’re young you should flaunt what you have before you’re old but what were you expecting dressed like that? Be sexy but don’t wear makeup but put some effort into your appearance but you should love your body but you could lose weight but be curvy but don’t be fat but plastic surgery could make you hotter but natural women are sexier but you should get rid of your wrinkles and gray hair.
So now do I tell you to go vote? What’s the point? Democrats had 49 years to codify Roe v. Wade, and 99 years to ratify the Equal Rights Amendment. There is no conclusion to this post. Sorry for being cynical but there is no happy ending. Real women will die because of this. Protest if you can. Call your senators. Support the women you love.
Stay tuned for an upcoming blog post about what you can do.
