Grrl Pwr

We are not a Christian nation.

There I said it.

In case you missed that, I’ll say it again. WE ARE NOT A CHRISTIAN NATION. We are a nation founded by men, some of whom identified as Christian. This country was not founded for Jesus or the spreading of his gospel. It was founded on the premise that men are able to self-govern. If you want to have your faith inform your life, you have that right. You do not have the right to have it inform mine.

I follow politics, closely. It’s like my sport. I’m one of those high information voters. I pay attention. I attend the arguments. I look at both sides and I make informed nuanced decisions. I get that it’s rough and tumble and I’m ok with that.

But I’m all set with the hyperbole that passes for political discourse these days. The tit for tat arguing and false equivalences. The scorched earth rhetoric that leaves little room for compromise or diplomacy. Really, all set. But what sets my blood to boiling, is the all out war on women and reproductive rights. Seriously, how dare you decide. How dare you presume to understand what is best for me. Like most legislation created by intolerance this “legislating away abortion” will be borne on the backs of the poor and already disenfranchised cause I’m pretty sure that the well-to-do will still have access to safe “procedures” should they need it.

In the meantime, what do I tell my daughter happened while her rights were slowly being eroded? How do I explain that certain people believe that because she’s a girl she is not capable of making decisions about her health and her body?

Save your standard arguments. I’m not interested in the nonsense about taxpayer funding of abortions. It doesn’t happen. Ever. No tax dollars pay for abortion. It’s called the Hyde Amendment, look it up. I hear Google has loads of information. For free.

I’ve said this before and I’ll say it again: A women’s right to choose is a basic human right. No one suffers when reproductive choice is an option. No one is oppressed when reproductive choice is invoked. A woman’s right to choose enhances democracy. Choice activates empowerment. Choice is fundamental. Choice is necessary to a free and open society. Choice means you get to choose no. Hear that, don’t want one then don’t have one.

How do we teach our sons that women and their bodies are to be respected when those in government seek to control it? When women are forced to endure demeaning, invasive exams and listen to bald-faced lies? When they are forced back into the alleys with coat-hangers? How do we expect them to understand that men and women are partners? Equals?

I own my body. I own myself. I own my thoughts, my ideals and my future. My decisions belong to me. My body belongs to me. It is not a political football. It is not a hostage. It is mine. I own the conversation. I own my future.

I will not be defined by your religion, your hate, or your intolerance.

Neither will my daughter.

Barbara Mulvey-Welsh is a mother, writer and blogger raising kids and a husband in Plymouth. Check out her blog "Did I Say that Outloud" at http://barbaramulveywelsh.blogspot.com/. Use caution when reading around the family, there is some strong language.