Written in law

“ We hold these truths to be self-evident that all men are created equal, that they are endowed, by their Creator, with certain unalienable rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.”

• The Declaration of Independence, 1776

The United States of America is the greatest country in the world, is what they all say. I’m here to challenge that idea, not because I don’t love my country, and not because I don’t believe in my country, but because I grew up a woman in my country. Above are the first official words produced by this country, that established our freedom from the oppressive forces tying us down. Yet, there is not a single mention of the women who made up half of this country, and helped the men free it from its shackles. 

Women in this country spent centuries fighting tooth and nail for every bit of freedom and equality they could get, just for it to be reversed on June 24, 2022, when the battle wasn’t even over. 

Since the overturning of Roe v. Wade, according to the MS. Magazine movement as of January 4, 2024 12 women had died as a result of the abortion ban, citing it as most likely being an undercount, with many more being unnamed or not public. This is due to the fear that has been instilled in our healthcare workers, causing them to have to choose between their licenses and possible jail time, and saving the lives of their patients. 

This decision was overturned under the guise of saving lives, when in actuality it is taking more, or leaving children to face difficulties in the foster care system that remains overcrowded and under funded. It also allows states to make vague laws that criminalize doctors who provide their clients with abortions, making it so that even women that require an abortion to survive cannot receive them because their doctors are afraid, and end up with life altering consequences. It has also led women who are desperate for an abortion to resort to unsafe and unsanitary tactics that are costing many their lives. 

Overturning this decision was a calculated effort to take back control of women, in an effort to force them to conform to societal standards. It was used to encourage publicly shaming women who have sex out of wedlock, and control victims who have to carry their abusers' child despite the emotional and psychological toll it has on them. Since June of 2022, there has been an uptick of backlash on gender equality and sexism, which was applauded and encouraged by the reversal of this decision and political leaders' response to public outlash as a result of its reversal. 

America is not the best country in the world. I believe if we return to the core values of this country, and apply them to all people, including our women we can be. But, as of right now I cannot come here and support the idea that this is the best country, when many of its citizens; including people of color, women, the LGBTQIA+ community, immigrants, and any marginalized group, constantly feel attacked and live under fear of losing their rights or being discriminated against for simply being different. And that is something we must strive towards, making the statement “We the people,” mean something.