There is great value in minding your own business. Minding the business that pays you however, is how we got here today. On June 24, 2022, the SCOTUS overturned Roe v. Wade and young people with child bearing ability will now have fewer rights than the generations before them. I used to be very confused about why abortion access is a political issue. Why do cis-, het- white men in particular have such consistent and elevated interest in what is going on at the meeting of my thighs? Why should it bother anyone what I decide to do or not do with my uterus? What’s it to you? Is religion really your concern? I thought church and state were separate… It’s separate for gun control, that’s why mass murder is sponsored by the NRA. I wish politicians regulated my pussy the way they regulate guns. But they won’t and here’s why. 

Forced childbirth is a form of economic warfare. The pay gap between those who identify as men and women widens after childbirth. The cost of child care is steadily increasing. The states that had abortion bans prior to Roe v. Wade have a lot of things in common.

1. chronically low minimum wages

2. minimal funding provided to public services

3. at-will employment

4. no state mandate for paid parental leave

Check out : Abortion rights are economic rights: Overturning Roe v. Wade would be an economic catastrophe for millions of women | Economic Policy Institute (epi.org) for other trends. This ban disproportionately harms low-income individuals who desire access to abortion and specifically black people who self-identify as women. There are a number of countries in Europe and Asia who have introduced birthing incentives. Some examples include maternity capital, a one-time payment awarded to families that can be used for housing and education expenses, larger tax breaks for families, subsidies for fertility treatments and preschool, monthly allowances per child up to the age of 7, and complete waiver of all fees associated with birthing in the hospital. Does the US government consider any of this? Lol, of course not.

This “UNDO” makes me wonder what comes next in “the land of the free.” Downstream of Roe v. Wade, there is concern for same-sex marriage protection and contraception access. It’s quite hard to do science while black, when my pessimism has me thinking I’ll be using a separate but equal bathroom any year now. I try to end my posts on a positive note, but regretfully, I don’t think I have one. Vote, I guess? It’s giving flee the country. All I can say for now is protect your peace. 

Until next time, 

Stef