Roe vs. Wade

It’s been a hard week. I’m home from the hospital after uterine hemorrhaging. I am very weak. There is a lot to be said about a need for improved women’s healthcare, and I’ve had to take some space to not be triggered by the 8,000,000 online posts about it yesterday and today.

From what I understand, yesterday’s ruling was more about state vs federal rights than abortion rights. But that isn’t what the big cloud of debate in the U.S. is about. It’s not what the emotions are about.

As we take in or write content, please be reminded that there are nuances, dialectics, and still a bigger, grander truth and hope. Don’t let yourself be drawn into debates that see things as black and white, or forget the bigger picture. They offer false narratives.

On another note, I am happy to say I spoke with a Vietnamese woman yesterday who confirmed that line up from the bottom was indeed Vietnamese. It gave me a chance to have a connection with another human, which is one of the most important ways to begin changing the world.

Support Group

I am part of a support group for mamas who almost died in pregnancy. Some had their babies. Some didn’t. Some didn’t really have a choice.

I don’t judge any of them.

Not surprisingly, many are triggered by this last week’s events when it comes to politics.

Actually they’re not triggered as much about the politics as they are about you talking about them.

I was listening to a woman whose story was similar to mine. She wanted to keep hers, but didn’t really know she had a choice to try to keep her baby. I know her story is real, because I myself had to advocate for time to decide.

Just your friendly reminder that people have stories. When you’re talking about social issues they hear what you are saying through the context of their experience.

Be gentle. Ultimately, we don’t care whether you are pro-choice or pro-life. We want you to care about us.

The Question Doesn’t Change

Guess what? Roe vs. Wade was overturned and people have feelings!

  • Some are celebrating.
  • Others are outraged.
  • Many are happy for the unborn.
  • There are the concerned about perceived rights.
  • The ones who are grieving for women.
  • There are the women who were planning on getting an abortion today and now can’t.
  • Then there are those who are indifferent to the social issue of abortion, but have feelings about the legal proceedings.
  • A few people don’t care about any of it.

Regardless of stance, to live justly and love others today, the question I have for you won’t change:

How can YOU support women and girls with unplanned, unwanted, or risky pregnancies?

If you don’t have an answer to that question, I’m going to venture to say you don’t have the right to have feelings about Roe vs. Wade.