We Care About The Implications of Roe Vs Wade
As a woman-owned, woman-led firm, we are deeply concerned about the Supreme Court’s recent overturning of Roe v Wade. While most conversations and debates are highly binary, focused on staunch positions of pro-choice or pro-life, we see an opportunity to serve all voices and views.
We believe that most human beings do not come to either position lightly. Abortion is unique in that it is both extremely personal and political. There are often deeply rooted beliefs, values and life circumstances that drive our decisions and positions. We aim to honor and respect all of them.
As one of the few firms in the diversity, equity, and inclusion space who actively promotes religious inclusion in the workplace, we are uniquely positioned to understand the many facets and perspectives of this important issue. At the same time, we recognize that the Supreme Court’s decision last week will have immense downstream implications for human rights issues that go beyond abortion. We take pride in proactively supporting our clients in the DEI journey, and believe it is our duty to comprehensively evaluate the ripple effects of the Supreme Court’s ruling.
In the spirit of respectful service, we would like to create space for broader discussion and solution creation that goes beyond the immediate reaction. As individuals and organizations chart next steps in this post Roe v Wade environment, we offer the following points to consider.
If You Lean Pro-Life, Consider:
- Due to limited access to healthcare and inadequate sex education, banning abortion will have a disparate impact on women of color.
- Data suggests that maternal death will increase by 33% for Black women because of the researched medical disparities for women of color.
- Domestic violence impacts 1/3 of women who are more at risk of dying by the hands of their abuser while pregnant and disproportionately affects women of color.
- Since the ruling, there has already been a call to attack other civil rights and protections: contraception, same-sex marriage, same-sex relationships, voting rights
- Criminalizing abortions does not prevent them, it only leads to an increase of fatalities for women.
If You Lean Pro-Choice, Consider:
- The American College of Pediatricians concurs with the body of scientific evidence that human life begins at conception – fertilization.
- The choice encompasses more than the woman. Limits on abortion help preserve the rights of the unborn.
- While mental health challenges exist for unwanted pregnancies, some women who undergo an abortion experience post-traumatic stress disorder, depression and interpersonal relationship challenges.
- Unintended pregnancy and abortion rates are higher in the United States than in most other developed countries. One solution is access to affordable healthcare, sex education, and contraceptives.
- A contraceptive, by scientific definition, prevents pregnancy. Abortion ends an established pregnancy. With nearly half of the pregnancies in the U.S., being unintended, the focus should be on pregnancy prevention, not termination.
While our list could continue, and many of the points outlined here may not necessarily be new, through our decades of experience in the diversity, equity and inclusion space, we know that our work does not stop with simply identifying the issues.
From our vantage, here is what we know to be factual issues that should be considered as organizations respond to this pivotal moment in history.
- Half of all pregnancies in the U.S. are unintended with nearly one in four pregnancies ending through induced abortion.
- The United States has the highest maternal mortality rate than any other developed country.
- Christians make up the majority of the U.S. population, with nearly two-thirds of Americans identifying with this faith.
- While six in 10 Americans believe abortion should be legal, there are diverse views across abortion supporters with many believing there should be restrictions.
We Are Better Together
This country, and the world, used this expression of encouragement throughout the height of the Covid-19 pandemic. Will we say it, believe it, and act on it, now?
The test is great, but the reward is greater. Our resolve to move forward with what we hold in common will always be our greatest ally, our greatest use of power. The Power of We.
Regardless of your stance, we want you to know that we care, and we hear you. We applaud those organizations who are creating space for respectful dialogue and evaluating practices and policies to support employees, especially women during this critical time.
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