http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bfIxiMRlUgc
The above ABC News segment was broadcasted to America on January 22, 1973, marking a huge change in national legislature pertaining to women’s rights. This Tuesday, we celebrated the 40th anniversary of Roe v. Wade, the landmark decision by the United States Supreme Court to legalize abortion across the nation.
Jane Roe was allegedly a single, pregnant woman who brought a class action suit to challenge the constitutionality of the abortion laws in Texas, which made it a crime to obtain an abortion unless the mother’s life was in danger. Henry Wade was the District Attorney of Dallas County. In a 7-2 decision, the The Supreme Court ruled that a woman’s right to privacy includes her right to an abortion.
What is the significance of acknowledging this moment in history, one that occurred four decades ago? Should it be about celebration (after all, that is consistent with the connotation of ‘anniversary’), or should we consider its current relevance and the progress it catalyzed without attributing to it any emotion?
When it comes to celebration, Roe v. Wade is a very divisive topic. On the almost golden anniversary of this national milestone, several dozens of pro-choice and pro-life supporters thrust opinionated placards in the air and shouted slogans at each other in front of the Supreme Court, attesting to the dissenting nature of the abortion debate in the United States.
Pro-choice activist Sunsara Taylor shared, “We’re here today not to celebrate 40 years of Roe versus Wade. We’re here to recommit to the fight, to expand this right, to defend this right.”
In contrast, Mark Harrington, the pro-life executive director of an anti-abortion group, said, “We have not given up. We are going to continue to fight until Roe versus Wade is reversed and until abortion is made illegal across the United States, so that the Constitution is amended to enshrine the right to life.” Carol Tobias, president of National Right to Life, released her statement titled “40 years too many” on the anniversary, saying “The right-to-life movement remains more committed than ever to protecting unborn children and providing compassionate, life-affirming alternatives to their mothers.” To further this message, pro-life demonstrators scattered carnations along the Supreme Court steps to symbolize aborted fetuses, which they say represent the “55 million babies killed since 1973.”
Listen to the audio below to understand how states have become battlegrounds for America’s abortion divide:
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But this anniversary shouldn’t highlight politics and bitter clashes of opposing fundamental beliefs. Instead, it should be a day we recognize for the monumental impact it has had on women’s lives, including the independence and power to control their own bodies.
Speaking about progress, there have been some mixed signals. A recent January 2013 Pew study found that only 44% of Americans under 30 know that Roe v. Wade dealt with abortion. This Pew study also reported that 63% of Americans believe that the Roe v. Wade decision should not be overturned, so a majority of people stand firm with the original vote. Additionally, 53% of Americans think that the issue of abortion “is not that important, compared to other issues.” This is a surprisingly low number, one greater than even more surprising, past percentages of 48% (four years ago) and 32% (seven years ago).
Even more shocking, only 18% of Americans think abortion is a “critical issue facing the country.” Considering that a significant part of 2012 presidential election consisted of Romney and Obama debating over abortion, one might suspect a higher number. Throughout the year we have heard Obama claim that “we must stay united in our determination to prevent unintended pregnancies, support pregnant women and mothers [and] reduce the need for abortion.” Romney, on the other hand, chose to concentrate on abortion legislation, declaring, “the states, through the democratic process, should determine their own abortion laws and not have them dictated by judicial mandate.” Now, with Obama’s pro-choice stance still reigning, we see a huge gap in unity. As it is splitting such a huge hole in our society, abortion should in fact be classified as a “critical issue.”
Although our country should be reflecting upon this historic occasion by acknowledging why and how the Roe v. Wade decision was made, it now seems more important than ever to discuss the actual right that was legalized almost half a century ago. Right now, this topic is effectively working to abort our solidarity as a nation.
Listen to the audio clip below to hear a part of the real ABC News Broadcast from January 22, 1973, as NPR host Michel Martin discusses the case’s history and her ideas on where abortion laws might end up 40 years in the future (aka now).
UPDATE
There has recently been huge controversy over Jane Roe, the fictitious name of the case’s plaintiff whose real identity is Norma McCorvey. She believes very strongly AGAINST abortion and has never had an abortion herself. She has stated, “I think it’s safe to say that the entire abortion industry is based on a lie. I am dedicated to spending the rest of my life to undoing the law that bears my name.” The ad below, publicized just a few days ago, provides more information.
I think that this absolutely relates to the separation of the church and state, which obviously doesn’t seem to really exist in this country. A bunch of organic matter is NOT a fetus. It does not turn into a child until it has a CONCIOUSNESS; a heartbeat, even, perhaps.