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IN FOCUS: ARTICLE |
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Standing Up for Choice
by Susan Yudt, 01.18.05
The right to choose — a right that is only 32 years old! — has literally saved thousands of lives since then. |
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On January 22, 1973, the U.S. Supreme Court legalized abortion nationwide in the landmark case known as Roe v. Wade. With Roe, the Supreme Court recognized that our constitutional right to privacy includes a woman's right to choose whether or not to end her pregnancy. Today, abortion is legal in every state, although many states have laws that restrict women's access to this health care service.
Then and Now
Before Roe, abortion was illegal in all but 16 states, except when the woman's health was in danger, if she became pregnant because of rape or incest, or if the fetus had very serious health problems.
Before Roe, women often resorted to unsafe, illegal abortions to end unwanted pregnancies. According to one study, in 1965, 17 percent of all deaths due to pregnancy and childbirth were the result of illegal abortions. The right to choose — a right that is only 32 years old! — has literally saved thousands of lives since then.
Today, women have the right to choose. They have the right to a safe, legal abortion. But some states restrict this right. Some ban funding for abortion services, making it difficult for poor women and teens to obtain abortions. Others require parental consent or parental notification before teens can have abortions.
And here's the scary part — after 32 years, the Supreme Court is only one vote away from overturning Roe v. Wade. That means if one pro-choice Supreme Court justice retires, and one anti-choice justice is appointed in that justice's place, abortion could be made illegal once again.
Taking Action
So what can you do to protect a woman's right to choose? Here are some ideas from Vox®: Voices for Planned Parenthood:
Get visible. Organize a flash mob to draw attention to the pro-choice cause. A flash mob is a group of people who suddenly appear in a public place and do something unusual — like dress in the same colors, hold the same signs, and chant messages — and then disappear quickly. People gather in a flash mob at a pre-determined time and place, perform an action, and then go off in different directions just as suddenly as they've appeared.
Chalk the walks. (Check with your school first to see if they allow this!) The night before the anniversary of Roe v. Wade, chalk sidewalks in well-traveled areas outside of your school. Messages could be facts about Roe, statistics about unplanned pregnancies, or short, positive messages like "Stand Up for ChoiceSM!" Find possible message content about pregnancy and abortion on plannedparenthood.orgSM.
Rent a movie. But not just any old movie — one that speaks out about reproductive rights and sexual health. Gather some friends together and watch The Cider House Rules, If These Walls Could Talk, Saved, or Vera Drake. It's a good way to get informed and involved without going out in the cold!
Accessorize. Download a pro-choice flag, stencil, or IM buddy icon at SaveROE.com, or buy a pro-choice T-shirt from the Planned Parenthood store.
Volunteer. Volunteer to work at a local Planned Parenthood health center as a peer educator or health center escort. To find a Planned Parenthood health center near you, check out our list of affiliates.
Or join a Vox group at a college or university near you. Vox groups energize and mobilize pro-choice students who can educate others about the fight for reproductive freedom.
Even if you're too young to vote, you're not too young to stand up for choice — and that's true all year long! |
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