As of today, June 24, 2023, it’s been one year since Roe fell, thanks to the Supremes and the late (not-so) great state of Mississippi, where the Dobbs case originated, a state with among the highest child poverty rates in the U.S., among the worst maternal health outcomes and highest maternal death rates in the U.S., among the highest death rates for children under five as well as for infants, and the highest percentage of black and brown people as a portion of the total population. Water issues similar to Flint, MI., a refusal to expand Medicaid under the ACA making it the sixth highest state in terms of the number of people uninsured… I could go on and on about the myriad ways in which Mississippi sucks, y’all (take a look at the state website, it’s headed by tabs that say ‘Y’all Vote, Y’all Business’) for women, for children, for people of color, for everyone if if if only they could see it, they being the state gubbmint. Is Mississippi doing anything right, other than screwing over women – primarily poor women – in that state and across the U.S. by pushing its regressive agenda, with the assist of the privileged misogynists on the Supreme Court? Well, Mississippi does have that nice HGTV show. Pardon me whilst I barf.
The Kaiser Family Foundation, which tracks all kinds of health and well-being stats in the U.S. – estimates that 22 million women now live in states where their access to reproductive care is restricted or practically non-existent. And if you think the forced birthers are done, think again, as these dangerous cranks believe contraception is also a form of murder, IVF too.
Mississippi consistently has the highest rate of people living in poverty in the entire nation – so, yeah, it’s a great idea to force women and girls to have babies they don’t want – for whatever reason – and cannot afford in a state where the legislature punishes the population with policies created to shame and blame the poor. Sigh. It’s been a rough year. Reproductive justice requires that we allow pregnant or potentially pregnant people to make decisions regarding the size of their family without interference from the government. Reproductive justice also requires that women and girls have equal, affordable access to healthcare, all healthcare including abortion, prenatal care, post-natal care and support, and support, period, for the lives they choose to live, and the children they choose to raise. Respect women and girls, already, would y’all?
