It’s been a hard week to be a woman in America. Enjoy the pretty picture, then read on.
(You might have noted that this isn’t a Sunday Serenity post, because I’m definitely not serene after Friday.)
I’m well aware that most of my rights as a female person in American have been hard-fought battles and most have been won just within my own lifetime:
- Voting (1920, 19th Amendment, unless you were a Black woman and then it was the 1965 Voting Rights Act)
- Equal pay (1963, Equal Pay Act, although in private industry, there is still serious pay inequality)
- Contraception (1965, Griswold v Connecticut for married people; 1972 Eisenstadt v. Baird for unmarried persons)
- Equal education (1972, Title IX for education; 1997 for education-based athletics)
- Credit without a male cosigner (1974, Equal Credit Opportunity Act)
- Serve on a jury (1975, Taylor v. Louisiana)
The Equal Rights Act was never ratified, so women still aren’t equal under the Constitution. Just what did the ERA say that was so freaking controversial that a majority of states would not ratify it?
Equality of rights under the law shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of sex.
Last Friday, six people in black robes sitting in a building in Washington, D.C., decided that their belief about the Constitution means that I have no right to decide what happens to my own body. They are wrong. This text states the reality of the situation way better than I could.
A man can’t be forced to donate a kidney (a life-altering decision for the donor) to a dying person but a woman can be forced to carry a pregnancy to term. That mass of cells at six weeks in Texas has more “right to life” than a person dying of kidney disease. Thing about that for a while.
And if you think the Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization decision doesn’t affect you, think again. One member of the Court has already called for re-examining the right to contraception (Griswold v. Connecticut), the right to love whom you choose (Lawrence v. Texas), and the right to marry someone if they happen to be the same gender as you (Obergefell v. Hodges). That judge’s exact words in his concurring opinion to the Dobbs decision: “Because any substantive due process decision is ‘demonstrably erroneous,’ we have a duty to ‘correct the error’ established in those precedents.”
Think about that sentence. A Supreme Court Justices is itching to “correct the error” that expanded our liberty and equality, case by case by case.
I keep thinking of this quotation…
First they came for the socialists, and I did not speak out—because I was not a socialist.
Then they came for the trade unionists, and I did not speak out— because I was not a trade unionist.
Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out—because I was not a Jew.
Then they came for me—and there was no one left to speak for me.
Who will you speak out for? And when?
I’m fine if you don’t believe what I do. You can believe whatever you want, as long as you don’t try to make your beliefs take away my human rights. If you choose to stop reading my blog because of this post, that will make me sad, but it won’t change my beliefs.
Hi Annie,
I fully support your post and I am so impressed with your character, integrity, passion, and genuineness. I am a retired social work educator and university department head. More importantly, I am the son of a wonderful mother, the husband of an amazing wife, and the father of two exceptional daughters. I spent my career working with social workers (female dominated profession) and nurses (female dominated profession) as well as teaching social work students for over 30 years (female dominated university major). Ethically, I must support women’s rights (including control over their bodies) and I do! I appreciate you taking time from your wonderful camping/travel blog to make this statement.
Thank you again,
Dean
Thank you, Daniel. I think the decision was very much trying to limit the power of the Constitution, rather than the Catholics pushing their agenda. The judges seem to want to say that if the words like “abortion” or “women’s rights” aren’t in the Constitution, then there is no constitutional guarantee of that right. They do not see that the world has changed in 200+ years since that document was written, and their job is to interpret it for today’s questions. It’s a very sad situation, and very dangerous as well.
Totally agree with you, Jenny. I donated a chunk of my last paycheck to a consortium of abortion providers, The National Network of Abortion Funds. And will do so again and again. I’m doing that rather than sending money to politicians because I don’t feel like the ones in office now as Democrats are doing anything substantial, even after the Friday decision. It seemed more like an excuse to send out fundraising emails. I’m furious at all of them right now.
You’ve raised those boys well, Cindy, and I am encouraged by the men who have responded to my post in solidarity. It is a raw feeling, and I ache at what might come next and next and next in our fractured country. It has me thinking of a Mass residence in the next few years, just to be in a state that won’t be trying to take away my freedoms one by one.
Irene, it was your blog posts that inspired me to speak out on my own platform. And I meant to leave a comment that the black and white graphic said exactly what I believe, so I borrowed that from you and didn’t thank you for it (yet). So THANK YOU. Your courage in sharing your raw emotions has emboldened me, so thank you for that too. We’re in this fight together.
I am honored and humbled by this, Jack. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. Having men speak up really, really matters, because we are all in this fight for our rights together.
If Judge Thomas wants to “correct errors”, is he going to push to invalidate his own marriage? They are willing to take away the rights of others, but don’t touch ones that affect them.
I posted this blog to my Facebook page, with the following introductions, “I’ve followed Annie Wynn’s (WynnWorlds.com) solo camping/trailering adventures for a couple of years now. Her photography and blog posts provide a much appreciated respite from my usual day-to-day, often inspiring my own camping trips and adventure plans. Today, she addresses the recent Supreme Court decision with her usual clear thinking, resolve and candor, to which I clearly resonate. Thank you, Annie.
You’re absolutely right, Annie. We are lesser today than we were on Friday. My emotions are still raw and I’ve been thinking a lot of how much this affects me personally, since I had an abortion in 1984. Now, women like me in many states, no longer have their bodily autonomy.
My mother, who is almost 75, still pays cash for most things. She got her first store credit card from Sears in the early 80s, but was never “good enough” to get a credit card until the 1990s. She struggled because of it and was never able to build enough credit to own her own home because of it.
Not long after Taylor v. Louisiana, my grandmother began serving on juries and loved every moment of it even when she was sequestered.
We have to fight for everything we’ve ever gotten because rich, old, white men decided we weren’t as capable as them. Now, we have to keep fighting. I’m not looking forward to my state (Nebraska) calling a special session so they can ban abortion all together. It’s already difficult enough in the state, but they want to ban it all.
It seems we’re never done fighting.
Bravo, Annie! I’ve felt raw and like I am now considered less of a human since last Friday and it really sucks. I appreciate you pulling it all together and creating a post that says what I feel. And I’ve told my boys, “Pay attention, be aware! This decision is not just about women. This affects you, your future. It’s just the start of many possible freedoms being taken away from people. YOU, my boys, are those people!” We’ve talked about it and they are incensed that this has happened. My husband (native of the Netherlands) is beside himself at the stupidity of this. I’m lucky to live in Massachusetts where abortion rights are supported, but I too am looking for ways to fight. This is just so wrong!
Thank you Annie for this post. I don’t think I can be any more articulate than you and your subscribers here have already been. The direction our country has been taking, on so many fronts, is so disheartening, devastating, so unbelievable. What to do? Regarding the overturning of Roe v. Wade, if we are not in a position to actually volunteer for organizations that are out there supporting women, we can send them money. They need it! Find out who your local “she-roes” are in your community running and volunteering for these organizations and send them money. They run 24/7 volunteer phone lines to help women who need and likely can’t afford abortions. They arrange rides. They make appointments. They offer emotional support. They offer financial assistance. They are there for women and their families. And in addition, we either need to run for our local and state offices or support those who will to carry out real justice and equality for all. We have to raise our voices!
Glad to know (even if I suspected) where you stand. Being a quebecois Catholic, I can’t imagine that my co-religion US citizens are solely, entirely responsable for this catastrophe. I share your views. It is plain common sense. I will keep reading your post.
I live in Canada. Our protection of equal rights and women’s rights are being defended by our politicians at all levels. But be careful to assume that things are better elsewhere. Canadians are influenced by you, our big neighbour. Libertarian and misogynistic ideas and rhetoric cross the border. I too wonder what I can do to safeguard the right to choose an abortion, a right but not available equally across urban and rural areas.
Full support. Not only have we lost the right to our bodies but also any lingering belief that the Supreme Court is not just another political group. And they are not even elected.
If they had passed the Equal Rights Amendment, then there might have been a legal path to try to block the reversal of Roe. And don’t think those women-fearing men never thought about that. How powerful it would have made women to be truly equal.
I still can’t wrap my head around this!
I fully support you and thank you for setting it out so clearly. The direction the SC seems to be headed is extremely worrisome.
Thank you Annie for this. It is so well said and so true.
You are right. I’ve been reading the arguments from the other side and they don’t hold water. It sure is frustrating…more than frustrating, there actually isn’t a word that expresses my fear and anger and disdain for the decision Friday.
I feel for the women now, like your daughter, who have to face school shooters, renewed misogyny, and now, other people passing laws about their own bodies. It’s a horrible situation.
Their arguments about what is and isn’t in the Constitution are BS. Hey, ACB, women didn’t have the right to vote in the Constitution back in the 1780s, so get of the SC and go home. It’s infuriating how logic and common sense have gotten twisted into what we see happening now.
I won’t leave for good, but I am thinking how to spend 2-3 months out of the country next year. If the 2022 midterm primaries are an indication, the dumpster fire that is the American experiment is only going to get bigger.
I was just thinking today how mass shootings are mostly men. And don’t forget the “smile, honey” – how many times have we been told to smile, as if our life is to just look happy and pretty. Ugh.
Oh, to have three daughters and be a parent right now, that is a really hard situation. We have to fight back, I’m just don’t know how yet, other than donating money to abortion funds and voting (although I currently vote in FL, so my vote is useless). Thanks for the offer of a safe haven, I’ll keep that handy as you just never know these days what might happen.
Thank you for writing this piece. You are totally correct. Things have been insane in this country for a while but this decision (although expected) is truly appalling.
Thank you for your eloquent and powerful post. The Supreme Court is no longer worthy of our respect, they are no longer a champion of freedom and fairness. My wife and I have three daughters and all of us are confronted with a future we want no part of. We will have to gather ourselves and find some way to push back, to force a reckoning for those who are willing to take away the freedom and rights of others. This is not the America we want to live in. Thank you for being willing to express yourself so openly and vulnerably. We have been following your posts for over a year now after stumbling upon them while searching for review on about the Safari Alto. (You are welcome to drop by for a visit anytime you pass through our neck of the woods – Salem, Va. We are just off 81S and have a large enough driveway for your truck and trailer… so don’t hesitate if you are in need of a place to stay.)
I’ve started posting on my FB about my feelings on this SCOTUS decision. Waiting to see how many family and friends I have to block. I’ve joined the Twitter-verse in full force this past two months. Rage tweeting is certainly somewhat medicinal.
Women have been fighting for their rights their whole lives. It’s the big things, like overruling the right to an abortion that we hear about, but it’s the everyday insults that wear us down.
i couldn’t wear pants to school until my last year of high school? It had to be a dress. This was public school.
I couldn’t get a credit card in my name.
I still can’t walk outside without my shirt off.
And the daily expectations that I must be polite, subservient, and calm zap my energy.
I don’t think the American public realizes how angry women are, probably because our protests are laughably civil. (Pink pussy hat, anyone?) I mean, we aren’t the ones committing mass public shootings. For the most part, we aren’t resolving our conflicts with violence like another sex I could name.
Excuse me while I go rage tweet.
Love this, Annie, so well, said, every last word. I am with you 1000%. I honestly cannot believe we are here and I fear what is next. But I will find a way to stand up and fight.
Yes!!! Shared many times already—thank you, Annie. <3
Thank you for the well thought out post. I have not seen it better put. I shared on Facebook.
You won’t lose me as a subscriber as I fully support everything you said Annie. My heart is sad for the women in America.
Thank you for this.
I’ve had two sleepless, rage filled nights and spent large portions of the last two days ranting into the notes section of my phone, trying to put into words all the things I’m feeling about this.
Sadly, I think the worst is yet to come and that is a large reason we are leaving the U.S. I can imagine a lot of scenarios where things get much worse, but not many where things get better. I hope I’m wrong, but I truly believe we’re witnessing the last days of the American experiment. This is simply unsustainable.
So well stated. Thank you!
I find it hard to understand or comprehend how anyone that has a women in their life that they care about cannot be appalled with the actions from the current SC. A FB post on Friday was so right when it stated ” When you wake up tomorrow remember to set your clock back 50 years”.
Thomas is an angry. MF who has harbored resentment since the hearing for his nomination to the USSC. For him it is “payback” time for all the slights real and imagined that he and his wife has experienced. The USSC is now controlled by a catholic majority who will attempt to impose what they believe to be the will of the Catholic Church. I got engaged the year that it was first legal to buy birth control products in MA. Before that one had to abstain from sex to avoid becoming pregnant or find a back ally abortionist and risk one’s life to avoid bearing a child. Perhaps one the the SC rulings that the self-righteous right wing members of the court should abolish is interracial marriage. Then he could toss Ginny out with the garbage. But I suspect this dangerous court is eagerly awaiting cases that will permits them to abolish gay marriage, make birth control illegal, and permit religious instruction in public schools, and mandate open carry of guns in all states.
You have put it into words that I have not been able to articulate. Thank you!
Well said, Annie. My heart goes out to you south of the border who are being pushed back to a 1920’s existence. I weep with you; I personally do not like the idea of abortion, but to impose that on other people is beyond awful.
I so agree with you Annie. How can my daughter have less rights to her body and her autonomy than I had? How can my generation go so far backwards? How do we get back what we’ve lost this week? It seems hopeless in the face of the corruption and hypocrisy so rampant in American life right now.
Well said–I’ll be doing my part in November. I’m in a deeply red state, so it will be hard to make a difference locally but they need to see how many of us voted against them.