“With Liberty and Justice for All”

It’s 4:23 in the morning on June 25th. I am sick to my stomach and cannot sleep. Since it was announced, I’ve been fixating on the SCOTUS decision to overturn Roe v Wade, as have many people across the country.

I've been looking through instagram stories for the past hour. Although I am seeing the same post repeatedly, just as when any other drastic event occurs in the United States, I feel comforted knowing that I’m not alone in this devastation. So many people are experiencing the same fear as myself.

However, the silence of others speaks volumes. Human rights were taken away yesterday, yet people are proceeding as normal, posting their sports updates or nothing at all. I’m not saying that a simple post is going to make a difference in this movement. However, it provides comfort knowing that others, especially men, stand in solidarity with all those that are grieving their rights and are worried for what the future may hold. It does not make you weak or “feminine” (if there is even a solid definition to that word anymore) to speak out against this insanity, rather it makes you a decent human being for having empathy for those who are directly affected, though you may not have to worry about the consequences of this ruling yourself (although, contrary to popular belief, everyone is affected by this decision),

To those who are “celebrating” this ruling, please listen to yourself. You are rejoicing in the stripping of basic human rights. This decision will result in the loss of countless women’s bodily autonomy, and more importantly, their lives. This is a somber time, not a time to be pointing and laughing at those who are being forced to come to terms with the fact that their country no longer protects their right to choose.

This decision is the result of Christian religious ideals being forced upon the country. As a Christian myself, I find it so incredibly immoral that a country which proudly boasts the freedom of religion can be so blatantly contradictory of its own values. For those who believe you cannot be a true Christian while being pro-choice, I invite you to study the Ten Commandments. Read them over and tell me that you are not guilty of violating a single one. Moreover, that your beloved former president or the Supreme Court justices that voted in favor of this decision are not guilty either. After reviewing these commandments, let me know if you believe it remains advantageous to interpret the Bible and other Christian values in their literal forms during the year 2022, a time in which social norms are constantly evolving and becoming more progressive.

I practice my Christian faith by having compassion for others and advocating for their well-being. I take the time to truly recognize the consequences of my decisions and the people they will affect, not just the aesthetic of a declaration and the self righteousness which comes from power. Can those conservative, “Christian” judges say the same? In my opinion, the definition of a Christian has become lost in justifications that are made for horrible actiond based on Christian values themselves.

To put it into economic terms, for those who value the effects this will have on their money above all else, you will be supporting those unwanted pregnancies, paying increased taxes as a result. Furthermore, women experiencing economic struggle that desire an abortion will sink even lower beneath the line of poverty and will birth the child into a cycle of economic hardship that creates more of a “burden” on a society that neglects to aid the already living children that struggle in impoverished households.

If you still believe that this decision is just, then I simply have nothing more to say to you, other than I hope you take the time to educate yourself on the toll that this decision will take on so many aspects of our country.

I cannot begin to illustrate how backwards the beliefs are of this country. The past few years alone are evident of discrimination towards race, gender, sexual orientation, and religion. Not to mention the issue of gun violence which has taken the lives of countless innocent Americans and continues to do so as decisions are made further protecting firearm laws. Change must come, and it must begin with the structure of our so called “democracy”.

To those who are feeling scared, disgusted, heartbroken, confused, betrayed, helpless, I am with you and I feel all of the emotions alongside you. We will get through this together.

All my love now more than ever,

Ava Jean