Currently.
Texas. Louisiana. New York. NoCal. New Jersey. Pennsylvania.
I keep going back and forth between feelings of complete rage and distress.
Our nation, our democracy, is truly at a critical point. What we do (or fail to do now), will have lifelong implications for the future.
What is the story we want to leave behind?
Headline after headline: between war, regressing on human rights, and natural disasters…we have to remind ourselves that people are doing good work. They are using whatever power and resources they have to feed others, provide life-saving aid, and amplify the voices who need to be heard the most right now. These are stories we should share. They provide us with hope and they encourage us to connect with our communities in every way we can.
Below are some stories I’m following:
Leave no Texan Behind.
As of this Wednesday, Texas passed SB8, also called the “Heart Beat Bill”.
This bill allows a near total ban on abortion care on or after 6 weeks of pregnancy— a time frame in which most people don’t even know they are pregnant in the first place.
The bill is really the first of its kind, giving no exceptions to who someone might have been impregnated by (for example, rape or incest) and allowing private citizens to report any individual who might aid someone getting an abortion.
That caveat (allowing private citizens to report), is what strategically limits the opportunities for preemptive judicial actions.
Surely, we saw it coming….right?
Texas has been at the center of national reproductive care before. In 2016, the case Whole Woman’s Health v. Hellersrtedt garnered lots of attention, as well as the fact that for the past few years, dozens, if not more, of clinics have closed across the state— essentially creating unnecessary financial, time, and travel restraints on who can access the reproductive and abortion care they might need.
And unironically, they have some of the highest rates of maternal mortality in the country.
Let’s Unpack.
Even though people are calling this a heartbeat bill, scientifically, the term does not hold weight.
Why “heartbeat bill” is a misleading name for Texas’ near-total abortion ban (Texas Tribune)
The Texas Abortion Ban Hinges On 'Fetal Heartbeat.' Doctors Call That Misleading (NPR)
When human life begins is a question of politics – not biology
There are three things that stand out to me about this conversation.
When it comes to punitive actions against pregnancy or terminating pregnancy…women stay at the center of punishment. In our society, we have normalized the idea that women are meant to suffer. We are expected to pay the physical, emotional, mental, and financial price of a decision it took TWO people to make. I still can’t get over the idea that birth control for men was scrapped as a concept simply because men were uncomfortable with the minor side effects they experienced. But for women? Our perpetual state, is to be uncomfortable.
On the left, it is incredibly common for phrases and extreme cases, such as “but what about rape?” or “what if a father has a child with his daughter?” to evoke emotional responses or to create an opening for a possible discussion/debate— and while these are valid circumstances, it is also important to voice and accept the idea that even if someone has consensual and enthusiastic sex, but gets pregnant, they too are deserving of abortion care if they want/need it. It does not take a tragedy in order for you to receive basic care. If you want or need an abortion— for whatever reason, it should always be your option.
Lastly, I am always interested in the language we use, in particular, “pro-choice” vs. “pro-life”. Who isn’t pro-life? And who isn’t pro-choice?
At the end of the day, I can’t stress it enough: it’s none of your business. You don’t have to like it. You don’t have to agree. But you do not get to force someone to have a child.
Take it from someone who grew up in foster care: the psychological damage that is placed on a child who does not get to know or be raised by their biological parents because they could not take care of their children or did not want those children, is irreversible.
Besides, in a country that does not provide equitable pre- or post natal care, paid family leave, affordable childcare, affordable housing, or a living wage— to force *anyone* to have a child is beyond cruel.
To support abortion care and help people get the care they deserve, please think about giving to these local Texan organizations and mutual aid networks + national hotlines and databases:
Plan C : provides up-to-date information on how people in the U.S. are accessing abortion pills online.
Abortion On Demand : “Abortion on Demand is designed to get abortion pills to people who need them as quickly and safely as possible. By utilizing telemedicine and automation technology, AOD is built to provide early abortion pills to the majority of womxn in the U.S. while preserving access for pregnant people needing or wanting in-person care. Most of our patients are able to schedule same day or next day and have their kits delivered overnight.”
M+A Hotline : “We are pro-choice doctors with years of experience in caring for miscarriage and abortion. We are freely giving our time to you.”
If/When/How's Legal Defense Fund : “We're compassionate advocates and legal experts who fund bail, expert witnesses, and strong defenses for people who are criminalized for self-managed abortion. We're tracking the cops, prosecutors, and courts that unjustly target people for ending their own pregnancies, and we're here to say: not on our watch.”
The Afiya Center: an advocacy organization dedicated to transforming the lives of Black Women and Girls through Reproductive Justice.
Avow (Unapologetic Abortion Advocacy): Texas-based abortion rights champions working to ensure that every person is trusted, thriving, and free to pursue the life they want.
Whole Woman’s Health: “Whole Woman’s Health believes that everyone must be at the center of their own healthcare decisions. We are committed to destigmatizing abortion and creating safe spaces for all people.”
Jane’s Due Process: helps young people in Texas navigate parental consent laws and confidentially access abortion and birth control.
Fund Texas Choice: helps Texans equitably access abortion through safe, confidential, and comprehensive travel services and practical support.
Clinic Access: “We provide safe, free assistance to anyone seeking an abortion in Houston.”
Texas Equal Access Fund: provides emotional and financial support to people who are seeking abortion care.
The Lilith Fund: supports the right of all Texans to make their own reproductive choices, regardless of income.
Frontera Fund: “provide financial support and a sense of community for those seeking abortions in the Rio Grande Valley. We also assist local Rio Grande Valley residents who need to travel to clinics across Texas and beyond for the reproductive care they require.”
The Bridge Collective: “Our mission is to provide practical, responsive support for abortion services and reproductive healthcare resources for Central Texans. By mobilizing the power of volunteers, we strive to bridge the gap to ensure that all Central Texans have equal access to abortion care.”
Buckle Bunnies Fund: “Our organization came to be in April of 2020, when Texas temporarily banned abortions at the beginning of COVID-19. A group of young queer folks who were passionate about Reproductive Justice knew that we had the power to mobilize across Texas and help people get the abortions they needed. After seeing the momentum that we started, we knew we needed to make ourselves a permanent fixture in abortion funding.”
Split your contribution evenly among different organizations if you want to do a one time donation!
Keep Reading:
US supreme court refuses to block extreme Texas abortion law (The Guardian)
It’s time to brace ourselves for a world without Roe v Wade. Here’s what we must do (The Guardian)
Supreme Court Upholds New Texas Abortion Law, For Now (NPR)
In Texas, 666 Laws Take Effect Wednesday, Including Many Conservative Priorities (NPR)
2. Fires and Floods.
Nature knows no boundaries.
On the 16th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina, Louisiana was hit by Hurricane Ida. Although our brains want to draw comparisons, Ida has proven to be a very different beast than Katrina.
In many ways, it’s been worse.
Ida has left hundreds of thousands with out power— in the middle of an already hot summer. Many do not know when or if they will be able to return home. Gas stations have lines that wrap around miles and miles.
Before we talk about how to support and just how much damage has been done, there are two things I think are worth pointing out:
Giving aid takes research. Often, people exploit tragedy and take from victims of natural disasters. The Federal Trade commission has tips to spot fraudulent behavior. It’s also important to note, that money can be far more effective than items. Money is flexible and puts the power back into the hands of those who can make decisions for what they need and how much of it they need. I will never forget learning that an airplane passageway during the 2010 hurricane in Haiti was clogged by a U.S faith based group sending in solar powered bibles. Here are some organizations in LA you might consider giving to (after you’e done your research).
At a certain point, we will have to talk about systems— particularly supply chains. It has been harder than usual to clean up in Louisiana as the pandemic has already put the global supply chain through an incredible amount of stress. Now, Ida is exposing fragility in everything from agriculture to shipping infrastructure. You can read more here: “Hurricane Ida could make the supply chain disaster even worse”, and “Hurricane Ida shows the fragility of agricultural supply chains”.
To make matters worst, Ida found it’s way to New York, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey, while also soaking other states (like Tennessee, Maryland, and Connecticut) along the way. Many who passed away did so as a result to basement flooding, and flash floods on subways. And like clockwork— public transportation has come to halt in many areas (again- we need to talk about system design).
Outside of the flooding on the East Coast, Northern California has been battling a crisis of it’s own: fires.
We know that headlines like these are inevitable.
And they will become more and more common as time continues.
What if states put aside structures for families to access funding and tools and housing that could help them evacuate before a disaster happens? We shouldn’t wait until a disaster strikes to help people. Good leadership is about assessing every possible risk and creating safety cushions wherever possible.
We could be doing so much more.
Keep Reading
The East Coast Begins To Clean Up After Historic Storm Ida Kills 48 People (NPR)
NYC's Subway Flooding Isn't A Fluke. It's The Reality For Cities In A Warming World (NPR)
Photos: Scenes From Hurricane Ida's Devastating Path (NPR)
New York mayor: Ida devastation shows need to prepare for ‘very, very worst’ (The Guardian)
Ida Brings Historic Flooding To The Northeast, Killing More Than 40 People (NPR)
Wildfires in the West are inevitable, but this strategy can help control them (National Geographic)
Photos show Ida’s devastating impact on coastal Louisiana from above (National Geographic)
Can burying power lines protect storm-wracked electric grids? Not always (The Conversation)
Hurricane Ida's Impact On Students Could Be Worse Than Katrina, Expert Says (NPR)
3. The Delta Variant.
Please. Get vaccinated.
I cannot express the amount of privilege some of us hold, especially those of us who live in Western nations, where the supply of vaccines far outweigh the demand.
Hospitals are overflowing with unvaccinated patients who are now getting the new variant, and to make matters more complicated, they are filling up beds from other patients who might need life saving treatment for other conditions.
Like a doctor mentioned in the episode below— I do not fault those who have fell privy to misinformation. I am angrier instead, at our leadership. Public servants who were sworn into office to protect their constituents and instead, they are endangering the lives of so many and I can’t figure out why.
Keep Reading:
At my hospital, over 95% of COVID-19 patients share one thing in common: They’re unvaccinated (The Conversation)
The pandemic’s true death toll (The Economist)
Crowded U.S. Jails Drove Millions Of COVID-19 Cases, A New Study Says (NPR)
Coronavirus FAQ: What's The Advice About Traveling In The Delta Variant Era? (NPR Goats & Soda)
4. Other Stories.
Yes, most workers can collect more in coronavirus unemployment than they earn – but that doesn’t mean Congress should cut the $600 supplement (The Conversation)
The Sacklers, Who Made Billions From OxyContin, Win Immunity From Opioid Lawsuits (NPR)
How the Purdue opioid settlement could help the public understand the roots of the drug crisis (The Conversation)
Unstoppable movement: how New Zealand’s Māori are reclaiming land with occupations (The Guardian)
Where There’s Pie, There’s Hope (Eater)
Feds are increasing use of facial recognition systems – despite calls for a moratorium (The Conversation)
Anxiety and biscuits: the climate cafes popping up around the world (The Guardian)
Delivery Apps like Grubhub and DoorDash charge restaurants huge commission fees. Are delivery co-ops the solution? (The Counter)
College students who experience food insecurity graduate at half the rate of their peers (The Counter)
Even with the eviction moratorium, landlords continued to find ways to kick renters out (The Conversation)
Michaela Coel: ‘Sometimes pain is something to be grateful for’ (The Guardian)
How Target Got Cozy With the Cops, Turning Black Neighbors Into Suspects (Bloomberg Business + Equality)
The Black Mortality Gap, and a Century-Old Document (The Marshall Project)
A BUSINESS WITHOUT BOSSES (Real News Network)
Air pollution is slashing years off the lives of billions, report finds (The Guardian)
Some prison labor programs lose money — even when prisoners work for pennies (The Marshall Project)
After slavery, oystering offered a lifeline. Now sewage spills threaten to end it all (The Guardian)
How AI Is Infiltrating Higher Education (Undark)
A Man Is Shot Dead By New Zealand Police After He Attacks 6 In A Supermarket (NPR)
He Won A Gold At The Paralympics - But Had To Give It Up For Arriving 3 Minutes Late (NPR)
LINE 3 AND A WEEK OF CLIMATE CATASTROPHE (The Intercept)
Kids In Illinois Will Soon Be Able To Take 5 Mental Health Days From School (NPR)
cover image by https://unsplash.com/@mischievous_penguins