What is this country coming to?

After finding out about the Texas Abortion Law that has recently gone into place, I was speechless. On one hand, I was absolutely shocked that something like this could happen, but I sadly was not all that surprised after giving it some thought. This nation is plagued by men in power who think they can decide what a woman should do with her body.

Right now, I feel awful for women not only in Texas, but nationwide. This law directly undermines Roe v. Wade, which protects a woman’s right to choose whether or not to have an abortion. As I sit here writing this article, I cannot believe this is the reality of America. 

To all of the women who are alarmed by this new law, I am so sorry. I’m sorry our conservative lawmakers care more about their own selfish agendas than basic women’s rights. I’m sorry our country’s legal system has been built to decide what we, as citizens, can and cannot do, and we have little to no say in response. I’m sorry that women in Texas–– and across the United States–– must live in fear due to men in power. 

What truly surprised me about this law was the way it was written and how hard it is to challenge in court. After six weeks of pregnancy, women cannot have an abortion, but many women do not know they are pregnant at this point. There is also no exception to abortions for pregnancy due to rape or incest, and this is what angers me the most. I truly cannot believe this is reality and that the law was intentionally created to make it difficult to challenge in courts.

What happens next? President Joe Biden has said that he will soon “launch a whole-of-government effort” in response to the law. 

“Complete strangers will now be empowered to inject themselves in the most private and personal health decisions faced by women,” Biden said last Thursday. 

But, what if this government effort fails? Will Biden try to intervene directly? I also fear that if this law remains, it will be utilized as a tool for other lawmakers across the nation to follow and get through certain legal loopholes. Roe v. Wade is the law of the land, and it should remain that way.

If someone in Texas sues a woman trying to get an abortion and wins, they will be awarded $10,000. Uber drivers, healthcare workers and family members are all at risk if they aid in breaking this abortion law. Additionally, to help enforce the Texas Heartbeat Act, a website has been set up where one can submit anonymous tips if someone has violated the new law. This control and intimidation is unprecedented and must immediately be stopped.

As a man, I will say that I am ashamed of this law and embarrassed that it was even passed. I strongly believe that women should have the right to choose what they want with their bodies. Women should be able to have access to a safe abortion, no questions asked. Why? It does not matter. Honestly, men should have no say in this matter, because it is a woman’s choice, so to see these male lawmakers try to control women is sickening.

I will end with a Tweet that I saw circulating around social media in the midst of this crisis, that effectively sums up what this law means:

“When the penalty for aborting after rape is more severe than the penalty for rape, that’s when you know it’s a war on women.” (–@mhdksafa)