Our bodies our choice.
This past Wednesday Gov. Greg Abbott signed one of the nation's most deplorable bills illegalizing abortion in Texas which prohibits abortions as early as 6 weeks or once a heartbeat can be detected. This allows women only 2 weeks after a missed cycle, meaning that some women may not even know that they are pregnant, to have an adequate window of time in which to act on behalf of their body or weigh options and prioritize their first life, themselves. This tactic aims to subjugate especially black and brown women who will be impacted the most. Texas is backward in how they attempt to “serve” the people they claim to care and fight for. Texas is rooted in segregationist policies and behaviors that aim to divide and conquer. How about we try to understand each other, hear each other out, and put ourselves in the other's shoes? When black people speak of the injustices that we've faced since the beginning of time, and even now, we are “pulling the race card” or speaking of fallacies. That simply isn't true. Our experiences are valid and black and brown women deserve reproductive rights and body sovereignty.
Last night I went to Target and I was able to find the cutest baby doll with the skin of the warmest brown shade. She was adorned in an airy yellow dress that was so dainty and beautiful. I quickly grabbed her for my daughter and watched her face light up with glee. Something so simple is still new to people of color. Representation and racial equity are still something we are fighting for. Instead of acknowledging our truths and lived experiences, people would rather entertain lies to maintain their comfort. Bible toters like Gov. Greg Abbott, who said at the the bill signing “ceremony”: “Our creator endowed us with the right to life and yet millions of children lose their right to life every year because of abortion[…]”. How dare a man incapable of conception have the right and audacity to sign such a bill. What kind of world are we living in? Texas is wrong and needs to shift its agenda before we all lose our choice to live as we choose.
