One Man’s Perspective on Abortion Rights
I am a white, older, middle-class male who lives in the United States. I recently went to a political demonstration in support of abortion rights. (There have been demonstrations across the United States in response to a likely upcoming ruling by our highest judicial court that would significantly reduce the availability of safe, affordable, accessible abortions in many parts of the country.)
It was wonderful to hear so many women speaking about abortion. Their knowledge and expertise contradicted the sexism installed on me that says that I should have all the answers and know what to do at all times. I got to notice how ignorant I have been about the importance of abortion rights, and related issues.
I’d always felt that supporting abortion rights was the right thing to do. However, as I listened to woman after woman speak, I realized that I knew very little about the issue. Women spoke about so many aspects of abortion rights—how their absence disproportionately affects Global Majority, Indigenous, and poor women; how the struggle for them is part of a larger battle related to women’s place in society; the intersections between abortion and disability oppression; and much more. Time after time I found myself thinking, “Oh, that’s so important,” “Oh, I didn’t know that.” I also felt ashamed of my ignorance and very much wanted to know more.
I have been trained as a male to think of abortion rights, and reproductive issues in general, as not my issues: “Those are women’s issues,” “Those are women’s problems.” I have also been forcibly separated (by men’s oppression, sexism, and other oppressions) from noticing how these issues affect everybody.
Somerville, Massachusetts, USA
Reprinted from the e-mail discussion list for RC Community members
(Present Time 208, July 2022)