Reversal of Roe v. Wade & Us
It has been exactly one month since the Supreme Court overturned the 1973 decision of Jane Roe v. Henry Wade. This case outlined that the right to abortion, and privacy thereof, is defended by the U.S Constitution with leeway to States to provide their own restrictions and/or limitations. Now, of course, this right is no longer federally upheld, as we come to find in the outcome of the Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization. Let’s learn about this objectively, allow ourselves to be angry, then resurface and think of ways to protest and demonstrate activism. This will be through reviewing logical choices in taking care of our bodies and prioritizing our mental well-being at this time.
Recently, there have been discussions of the legalities of Roe v. Wade being undermined with anti-abortionist groups maintaining their stance on the ethics of the 'moral wrongdoings' that is abortion. It feels political alteration like this is hypothetical and we believe we can trust our nation and political representatives that we will continue advancing forward — as opposed to taking a giant step backward. It’s important to note that Roe v. Wade had been challenged by recent Supreme Court cases, in which the court persistently upheld its postulations despite cultural retaliation.
For instance, in the case of Planned Parenthood v. Casey (1992), the court established that abortion services should be kept available to those who were in medical need, further allowing state restrictions to impose after a certain point in a pregnancy.
Then again in 2016, in the case of Whole Woman’s Health v. Hellerstedt. The court highlighted that Texas had placed “substantial obstacles” for women seeking abortions, deeming this obscenely unconstitutional, requiring abortion clinics to be up-to-date surgically and technologically, as well as available geographically.
So the Supreme Court followed through. Until it didn’t. In Dobbs v. Jackson, the Court was explicitly asked to overturn both Roe v. Wade and Planned Parenthood v. Casey, all on the notion that state decisis (the individual state’s ability to decide for themselves and uphold laws and restrictions) is not applicable in this situation, as it’s a unique constitutional interpretation. And, of course, on June 24th, the court released their decision that abortion is no longer upheld by the constitution.
So what does this mean? It is up to the states to how they want to regulate abortion. And unfortunately for more than half the United States, abortion rights have been completely revoked or hang in a fragile state.
The Center for Reproductive Rights provides a visual of what abortion restrictions look like by state after the fall of Roe v. Wade in June 2022. For more information click here.
The largest concern is in the sociocultural response to such legislative alteration. Removing the constitutional protection of abortions will not stop women from getting one and doctors from performing them. All this has done is taken away access to safe abortions.
This means only privileged women will have access to these safe procedures — poorer socioeconomic status playing a critical role in reproductive health. Some may resort to unsafe measures through performing self-managed abortions outside of a safe healthcare setting. This poses extreme risk and unnecessary unsafety to the person’s body and health, and in most states, this is illegal - and punishable by jail time - causing these individuals’ futures to be ruined because they were unable to gain the reproductive healthcare attention they needed.
Where do we go from here? Let’s address this from an emotional perspective then highlight an action-driven agenda.
Identify what you're feeling. Are you angry? Scared? Sad? Overwhelmed? All of the above?
Talk about it. Chances are your friends, family, neighbors — even doctors — are feeling similar anxieties to you right now. Engage in a healthy conversation about this and let yourselves try and figure out safe options together. It is important to lean on one another in politically frustrating times like these. Knowing people are in your corner, and facing the same mental struggles as you, is emotionally empowering.
Neuropsychologist Sanam Hafeez, director of psychology practice Comprehend the Mind in New York City, says that emotions like "loss, betrayal, anguish," and a “sense of going backwards" are going to be commonly felt in reaction to the overturning of Roe v. Wade.
2. Look into how this affects you in regards to what area or state you are in. Are you living in a still protected state? Has it been or will these resources be completely banned? And if so, what can you do to be prepared for this? Do you know of any services near you that could be of mental and reproductive support?
Advocacy and Pushback Plans
We do not want this to be our future and we are aware that this country has not gotten anywhere without an overwhelming share of public resistance. So let's resist and let's support our friends who are struggling.
Many citizens do not have the access to or financial means to travel, domestically or internationally, to access the reproductive help they need. Consider visiting the National Network of Abortion Funds where you can find hundreds of causes to support monetarily and virtually.
Grow your support of Planned Parenthood. As many of you may know, Planned Parenthood offers a diverse range of reproductive services and sex education programs: contraceptives, HIV teaching and testing, and hormone treatment for gender transitioning. Read more about their services here. As a result of the Roe v. Wade overturning, Planned Parenthood facilities are receiving an overwhelming influx of out-of-state clients, and in order to support these individuals, they need your help. You can donate to Planned Parenthood here. Consider supporting your local fertility and reproductive clinics as well.
Support political candidates that support reproductive freedom. Advocate argues, "There’s a chance that Congress could pass legislation legalizing abortion nationwide — it’s a rather slim chance, but possible if Democrats have substantial majorities in both the U.S. House and Senate. And fighting for abortion rights and other bodily autonomy rights at the state level will now be more important than ever." To find people in power to support, look to communities like Voteprochoice, NARAL, and even the Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee. There is power in numbers.
Taking away the reversal of Roe v. Wade poses a threat to communities of historical inaccessibility. This is an attack on the decades of work done toward health equity, LGBTQ+ rights, and women's advancements.
But it does not have to stay this way. Hands off our bodies, today, tomorrow, and every day after that.
