When I started this blog about a year ago, I promised myself that I would rarely, if at all, post political pieces. I personally have strong political beliefs but did not want to alienate any of my readers that did not share these beliefs. My opinions in regard to politics were irrelevant for this blog because the theme is Southern Life not Southern Politics. However, Initiative 26 is now Southern Life and I want my voice to accompany the many other strong voices that I have been quoting on Facebook these last few weeks. Sadly, I am truly afraid that it is a possibility for the first time in my life that I might not have a voice about my body after tomorrow.
In complete transparency, I am a Catholic and identify myself as a Democrat. I do not support abortion as a means of birth control. I am thankful for my rights and respect the women and men before me that fought to give me those rights. I am proud to be from Mississippi but tomorrow I may be scared to live in my state especially if I ever have health related issues regarding my fertility. I am speaking to you as a woman who is concerned about women's health and our rights. I am also pleading to the men of our state to think about the women in your life who you love and may have limited health care options in the coming months.
Vague Language
Notice I am careful to use the word "may" and word choice is at the core of my argument. No one knows the consequences of passing 26. The language is vague, leaving the doors open for interpretation. Therefore it does not immediately make abortion illegal nor does it immediately take away other rights from us...but it could, especially in the wrong hands. Words matter. Attorneys use them to find loopholes to help their clients. Entire cases have been won on the improper wording of a statement. Obviously words count, the reason behind 26 is to change the definition. Are we so trusting of our elected officials that we do not demand that an amendment be clearly outlined for the citizens? I would hope not. And I pray that our citizens, on whatever side of the issue, demand that 26 be better worded so we clearly understand the consequences. The only way we can demand clear language is to vote NO.
From the ballot summary: Initiative #26 would amend the Mississippi Constitution to define the word “person” or “persons”, as those terms are used in Article III of the state constitution, to include every human being from the moment of fertilization, cloning, or the functional equivalent thereof.
Creating Life, Not Destroying It
Very simplistic biology lesson: fertilization can happen in a test tube. Therefore, in vitro fertilization may be considered illegal. In vitro is used to create, not destroy, life. The supporters of 26 have overlooked that by voting yes, they potentially take away the option to create life for couples struggling to have families. Yes, the implications of 26 can take away life.
The Health of Women
A woman can be pregnant with a baby that will never be born alive. I will not bore you with medical terms but we all know that pregnancy is a high risk time in a woman's life. Regardless of what stage of fertilization or conception a woman is in, she could lose the baby and have health problems that could put her own life at risk. Of course, we all hope this never happens to us or anyone we know. Due to excellent medical advancements and care, doctors are able to make quick, life saving decisions to reduce risks associated with pregnancy. Will these decisions be hindered because of 26? The possibility is definitely there. So much there in fact, that the Mississippi State Medical Association and the Mississippi Nurses Association do not support 26. I can't understand why so many people are refusing to listen to medical experts. They are worried that this will hinder our care at best and could prevent lives from being saved at worst. I thought the supporters of 26 want lives to be saved, then why aren't they worried about the lives of the mothers as well? The supporters' lack of thought on this objection alone is extremely frightening. Yes, the implications of 26 can take away life.
Abortions Will Occur
Roe v. Wade occurred before I was born but I still know about the act of back alley abortions. Have we, as a society, forgot about those? Again, I do not support abortion as birth control but I am also not oblivious to human nature and circumstances. Supporters need to remember that many people in our state do not live in a perfect, safe little world. More people in our state than not are living in poverty with very little education. But think for a moment of a teenager, regardless of socioeconomic level, finds herself pregnant and scared. Would you want a teenager you know going to a random back alley abortion practitioner or a clinic that could guide her? In the first scenario, the teenager not only may lose the baby but stands a chance of losing her life as well. I am not using dramatics to make a point, back alley abortions were a real thing of the past and we cannot afford to be so ignorant to the fact that the past can occur again. Even more likely, there will be other ways to get abortions if 26 passes. Mainly, those who want an abortion will travel. Those that want abortions will still have the option but women who may need immediate life saving medical care may not receive the needed treatment. Yes, the implications of 26 can take away life.
We Move BACK
When juries are picked, attorneys like to pick people that can be swayed to support their respective sides. Makes sense, right? Pick the people that will vote for you. The attorney may not get the jury he or she wants but ideally they would like to pick the people they can persuade. Mississippi just got picked for this jury. Personhood USA is a Colorado based organization. They were outvoted by a majority in Colorado. So the organization steps back and regroups to try to accomplish their mission. They pick a state they believe they can manipulate the majority of the voters. Or so they think. They pick a state in the Bible Belt and appeal to the Christian values. They pick a state that lags behind in education in most communities because the undereducated are the most easily manipulated. They pick a state of people that want to do the right thing but do not take all the time to research the right thing. All good things for an organization who wants to win. They picked Mississippi.
We, especially women, move backward tomorrow if the vote is yes to 26. We are in essence voting against the right to make choices for our bodies. To all the women before us that fought to give us that right, we will hand it back to them by Mississippi saying, "Thanks but no thanks." All because so many in our state were led to believe it was simply about abortion.
If you have made it to this point in my blog and are still reading, you will see clearly that my fight is not for abortion at all. It is a determined fight for my future health and the women of our state. I pray that if you vote yes tomorrow that you will never find yourself regretting it when you need, but can't have, in vitro fertilization. I pray that you never find yourself in a situation where a doctor is waiting for government approval to save your life when every minute counts. But most importantly, I pray that you make the right decision tomorrow and realize voting no doesn't mean that you support abortion. It means that you demand that better legislation be presented so that we continue to have a voice and have access to quality healthcare in our state. God bless our Mississippi tomorrow!
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