This week, I participated in my very first protest against Texas’ new ‘Senate Bill 8’ that restricts the availability of abortions to pregnant people. Senate Bill 8 is one of the most restricting abortion laws passed in the United States within the past 50 years, and it has caused a well-expected stir in Texas. As a whole, this bill restricts the right of anyone with a uterus to decide whether or not to go through with a pregnancy. There are countless different scenarios as to why someone would need to choose between terminating the pregnancy or carrying their baby to term. Regardless of what the circumstance is, I believe that every woman or person with a uterus reserves the right to protect their life before the life of their fetus.
This article is clearly based on my opinion, and I am not trying to spread my thoughts as fact. All I ask is that you read with an open-mind, and really think about what you believe in. Personally, I have always been pro-choice, even as a young girl. I first learned what an abortion was most likely after hearing it on the news. I learned that this was a very controversial topic, and many people either supported or disagreed with it entirely. When I got home I asked my mom if “we” believed in abortion, and her answer was “no, no we do not”. That was one of the few times my mom has ever talked to me about a controversial or political topic. My parents have never been the type to spread their political opinions, especially not on social media. Even though my mom said we shouldn’t believe in abortion, I always stuck to my original thought on the subject. In my eyes, if a fetus cannot survive outside of its mother’s womb, even with the support of modern medicine, it shouldn’t have the same rights as a grown adult. I have always been a firm believer in protecting the rights of the living before trying to protect potential lives that are most likely unwanted or even have a low chance of survival.
The protest I attended was actually hosted partly by SFA’s HerCampus chapter in support of our fight to protect our reproductive rights in retaliation to the passing of Senate Bill 8. I got up early that morning and made a sign for both me and my boyfriend. Once our chapter began planning for this rally, I asked him if he was interesting in coming. I didn’t want to force him, but I wanted him to at least understand my passion for this topic. He was surprisingly excited about it and couldn’t wait to support me. After the rally, he told me how all of his typical anxiety seemed to go away right before he had to speak in front of his class. He said “If I’m okay being seen during a protest, I think I’ll be okay talking in from of my class”. That honestly made me incredibly happy, and I realized I felt the same way. I think we both felt empowered in a way after speaking out for what we believe in.
I understand this is a very controversial topic, but there are a lot of causes out there that deserve attention. I implore you to look around your local area for any upcoming protests or rallies. Speaking up about things we’re passionate about is important not just for ourselves, but for others who can’t. I hope you can also be a voice for others, and represent the change many people are fighting for.