Choosing Freedom…and Trusting Women

Post #31

I recently got a fortune cookie with a more profound message than usual.  It said: “You value freedom- -grant it to others.”

This struck me as a perfect thought, as today is the 37th anniversary of the Supreme Court’s decision in Roe v. Wade.  I’m sure my blog readers know that this landmark case legalized abortion, describing what is legally permissible based on each trimester of gestation. It struck a balance between a woman’s right to control her body with the government’s role in protecting potential life.  The late Justice Harry Blackmun, the decision’s author, clearly trusted women to make their own decisions.

Although decided in our nation’s highest court, the battle over a woman’s right to choose has continued these past decades.  In addition to fighting electoral and legislative battles as allowed by law, some anti-abortion extremists have sadly selected violence as their preferred tactic. 

They began by picketing clinics and harassing prospective patients.  This was effective but not a quick enough means.  Then came the arsons, death threats and a rash of clinic bombings.  Not only did these destroy valuable medical equipment that provided needed health care, but a total of eight people (four doctors, two clinic staffers, a security guard and an escort) were murdered.  Last May, a leading abortion foe, Scott Roeder, assassinated Dr. George Tiller while Tiller was volunteering in his church in Kansas.  Ironically, the jurors in Roeder’s trial began hearing testimony in his trial today.

The right place to debate this emotional, moral, medical, and deeply personal issue is in legislative chambers, at the ballot box, and in peaceful assemblies.  Those who value freedom should cherish the Right to Assemble, the Right to Free Speech, and the Right to cast a vote for the candidates they prefer.  Any other means of trying to realize victory is antithetical to our American values… and in gross violation of the freedoms that we American citizens are blessed to enjoy.

On this 37th anniversary of Roe v. Wade, I would hope that Americans could celebrate our freedoms… and renew our trust in our mothers, daughters, sisters, and friends to make decisions about when and whether to bear children.  Soon after college graduation, I worked on the staff at national NARAL and continue to be a devoted advocate for a woman's right to choose. I have long supported the Maryland affiliate of NARAL in its work to stand up for the women of our state.  Will you join me?

I would love to hear from you, dear Blog reader!  Do you believe that violence by abortion opponents is justifiable?  Do you think that public policy should reflect a trust of women to make their own personal reproductive decisions?  You may send an email to Blog@CherylKagan.org or click on the "Comments" link below to express your views.  Please be sure to indicate which post (#31) you're addressing.

Thanks for reading.  I will post again soon.