During the 2016 presidential election, when my nephew and I were discussing the issues, he asked what was my number one political issue. Since the conversation had started on the subject of guns, and we both made passionate arguments about our opposing positions on the topic, I suspect he expected me to say that I was most concerned about governmental gun control in this country. And while I was and still am very concerned about the level of gun violence in my country, that was not my answer.
“A woman’s right to choose,” I said as though he had pushed a button and out spit an instant answer. His eyebrows shot up and he was clearly taken aback. Aside from a small snort through his nose, he had nothing to say on the subject and the conversation ended. It was obvious to me that the issue of women’s rights was simply irrelevant to him. Roe v. Wade had been the law of the land for his entire life—and sadly, he didn’t understand the dangerous stakes women faced during the 2016 election due to an aging SCOTUS, nor did he care to discuss the matter with his Auntie.
Just like so many others who IGNORED the certain devastating consequences for women, minorities and marginalized communities that were guaranteed with a Trump presidency, their single-issue votes—in this case 2nd Amendment protection, but also white supremacy, tax breaks for the wealthy, blind idol worship, hate for Hillary Clinton (and reasons I still can’t comprehend)—fucked us. It’s why we marched. And it’s why we cried when we lost RBG. And it’s why we dubbed Mitch McConnell the second most dangerous man in America.
All those fuckers in Washington D.C. who got us to this point of burning ROE and the autonomy of women are celebrating right now. Hypocrites, they lied and cheated and gaslit the American public for decades, and while we raised our voices against them, still we were ignored and betrayed. But I maintain, Hell hath no fury!!
Please raise your voices and fight for the rights of your sisters and your daughters.
P.S. It was my daughter who notified me of the Politico article about the leaked opinion on Roe. My daughter, who marched with me in Washington DC and has dedicated her life to environmental causes and the welfare and sustainability of her fellow human beings. She shows a TRUE respect for life. Willow and Camille both, my strong and enlightened daughters, appreciate the struggles of the women who came before them. I’m proud to report they will continue the fight for women’s rights and especially, a woman’s right to choose an abortion for an unwanted or a non-viable pregnancy. #voteprochoice
