I recently saw a blog post at Slate.com claiming that "Choice is Dead." Granted, the poster was really talking about how the argument has changed, at least on the pro-choice side, from legalization to reduction of abortions (through birth control, accurate sex ed, etc.). But I think that the choice (haha) of title is unfortunate.
(More below the fold, including free.will.power)
Choice is not dead. In the 36 years since Roe v. Wade, it has evolved, as it had to. Abortion is a legal fact in this country, despite the many protests and outcries against it. The pro-choice activists are no longer fighting the law, but they are still fighting.
Over the last 8 years (and more!), we have seen a woman's right to choose narrowed, sliced away at. Legally, it is still her choice whether to terminate a pregnancy. Technically, not so much.
In Roe v. Wade, the Supreme Court declared that the decision to have an abortion was one that must be made between a woman and her doctor. What do we have instead?
This choice has been given to pharmacists, who can decide whether or not to provide a woman with emergency contraceptives. In fact, the Bush administration tried to go further, and to give this choice to any employee, who has the "right" to refuse to do their job (such as, say, stocking birth control or Plan B) if it goes against their conscience or religion
This choice has been given to husbands or parents, who must be notified or give consent, despite the fact that such notification might lead to abuse or harm.
The information that might allow for informed choice has been taken away from young women (and men) and the schools that would inform them, who are required to tell them only not to have sex.
Hell, the choice was taken away from organizations in other countries, who wished to use their own money to perform or inform about abortions, but needed US Aid to keep running. (Fortunately, this choice was recently returned to them. Thanks, President Obama!)
Young people today have been raised to think that the fight for choice is over. It's not true. We must constantly defend the rights we have, and make sure that they are not encroached upon.
To that end, I'm linking to NARAL Pro-Choice America's free.will.power campaign. free.will.power is a call to all pro-choice Americans to stand up and declare their rights. free.will.power means:
-We have the freedom to make decisions about our lives.
-We have the will to be educated, informed, and responsible.
-We have the power to stand up and declare our rights.
Check it out: http://myfreewillpower.com/