Your Voice Matters
I wasn’t planning to write a post for today. Last thing I wanted was to have to write this post. But … as a woman, as a mother, as a daughter, as a deeply saddened–and angry–citizen of this country … here it is. A post that says “Your Voice Matters.” I sincerely hope we all use our voices now.
I have no shiny pearls of wisdom to offer. Nothing to say that has not been said.
Yet, I must share that I have pain in my heart for all who will be directly affected by last Friday’s Supreme Court decision. Pain for women in states that will, or already have, banned women’s right to choose. Women, without the means (these are always the women who carry the heaviest burdens) to travel to states where abortions are still legal. Women who will feel compelled to make the choice to have unsafe, illegal abortions. Women whose miscarriages will now become suspect.
And I have pain in my heart for all of us. We are all impacted by this clear message. The message that our highest court does not value or respect women but, instead, believes women need to be contained, controlled, and cannot be trusted to make decisions that dramatically affect their own lives.
It Will Not End Here
We are quickly sliding down a slippery slope.
It will not end here. Not when such arrogance and hubris go unchecked.
Thursday, it was guns. (I cannot even begin today to share my horror on that SCOTUS decision.)
Friday, Roe.
Marriage equality, contraception … Buckle up. We will soon see which rights this court (and anti-abortion legislators) will try to overturn next.
I am far from a doom and gloom person.
And still, I fear an avalanche has begun—a quick and thorough tumbling of rights.
It is unbelievable—truly—yet we MUST believe.
It is overwhelming—truly—yet we CANNOT turn away.
It is my hope—and I still have hope—that we will all take at least one action this week to regain and protect our freedoms.
Whether it’s a donation, a march, a call(s) to representatives, a commitment to vote. Whether it’s sharing your own abortion or gun violence story.
Please, take at least one action this week.
Below are links to a variety of ways you can make your voice heard.
How to Support Women’s Choice:
https://money.com/abortion-access-where-to-donate/
https://www.aclu.org/news/reproductive-freedom/six-ways-join-fight-for-abortion-rights-roe-v-wade
https://www.marieclaire.com/politics/abortion-rights-organizations-to-donate-to/
https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/skbaer/how-help-abortion-rights-after-roe
How to Support Gun Control Efforts:
I am grateful for the bipartisan gun bill that President Biden signed into law on Saturday, but there is much more that needs to be done. Here are some ways you can help:
https://www.rd.com/article/how-to-help-with-gun-control/
https://www.sandyhookpromise.org
YOUR VOICE MATTERS
I have always been an advocate for making space for all voices. I have always believed in the power of voice.
Now is the time to make yours heard. Exercise the rights you still have.
Thank you for listening.
I’d love to hear your thoughts. Please send a comment or an email.
With love,
Diane
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We have a voice and no one cares!!!!!I have been sick too . I always believe that there will be a change and it doesn’t happen. We have to keep on fighting and stay united❤️
I hear you Joann!! That’s why we have to keep giving each other strength and keep marching forward (even when the country is marching back). We have to keep the our hope–even in the dark!
Thank you for this post and the idea to do one thing every week. I appreciate the links.
Thank you, Nicky–glad you’re finding the links helpful!
Wow 😳 once again I am a lone voice here! I think the comparisons to Germany & Taliban are vitriolic. I am saddened by the way #rageaholic voices have taken to violence across America yet again. It’s not going to move the needle, sonograms have changed the hearts and minds of many. Also many think abortion rights outrage is quite tone deaf. When thousands of people were unable to work, open business, go to public places because they didn’t have a vaccine passport, not many worried about the loss of rights/freedoms. We are splitting this country into two, calmer heads must prevail “shine on your brother” everyone has the right to their own values. Many fellow Americans/Corporations are stepping up to fund & help women who might be effected by returning Roe to the states and their voters. Diane you know I am a adoptive mother and probably have a difference of heart on life.
Dorothy, first I want to say thank you for engaging in this discussion–it is not easy to be a lone voice, and I so appreciate your willingness to share your thoughts and feelings.
I truly believe that women should have the right to make the decision of whether or not to carry a baby to term. Many states are now taking that right away. I also agree that everyone has the “right to their own values.” I can certainly accept–and respect–anyone who feels that ending a pregnancy in her own body is not inline with her values or beliefs. I think it is incredibly dangerous, though, when we let states make that determination for all women.
I do not toss around the comparison to Nazi Germany lightly. I do not say it out of anger (although I am angry) but out of–which I think–is a justified fear. I believe in my heart that our country is moving in that direction and it terrifies me. I worry what will be next. Justice Thomas, for example, has stated that he believes the Court should reexamine marriage equality and contraception. Removing one right can lead to another and another.
I know you are an adoptive mother and this issue is very close to your heart. That makes me appreciate your sharing even more. As long as we can have these discussions, as deeply as we disagree, there is hope for a less divisive future. Thank you–I will always welcome and value your voice in this space.
Thankful Diane for your response ❤️
XOXO
Thanks for this Diane. My plan for the week is to put together the list of democrats who need to get voted in in the next election (many of whom are climbing in the polls ever so slightly) and share with some kind of call to action. I believe we all need to do what we can to get them elected – donations, postcard writing, volunteering, etc. Without voting these hate mongers out were in big trouble I fear.
I LOVE that idea, Julie!! And yes … we NEED to vote them out!!
Thank you, Diane for writing this post and for attaching links. Where we are as a country is so scary on so many levels. To take away woman’s rights is truly horrific. Our voice must count!!.
Horrifying, Sue! I’m hopeful our voices will be heard!
Thank you, Diane. I too keep thinking about the Taliban (didn’t these same anti-women officials excoriate them for their treatment of women) and Nazi Germany (where the othering of Jewish people led to genocide). This is a great list of resources. As I texted my children Friday morning: “I send this with love and rage and a vow to keep doing what I can, forever.”
Thank you, Alison. I love the text you sent your children. “Love and rage.” Thats what keeps us in it for the long haul.
Thank you Diane. We, women and caring/supportive/responsible men need to continue listening all the voices, even when repeating the message, every day. We cannot forget. We cannot go back. We need to vote out this November the fundamentalist cancer.
BTW, in my mind I’m comparing this SCOTUS to the Taliban minus the burqa imposition.
Stay well
Thank you, Isabel. Yes to continue to listening, to remembering, to not going back. Yes to voting in November. I am reminded of Nazi Germany. Little steps over the line … then bigger and bigger ones …