Friends And Future Constituents:
The action of the United States Supreme Court to overturn Roe v. Wade is an American tragedy. Fifty (50) years of said law was eliminated and reproductive freedom was placed in bondage. This matter is not red or blue, left or right. It is about a woman's body and a fetus is not a child.
This power move by the SCOTUS makes men irresponsible and places them in a position to not care for the mother or the unborn. Furthermore, rape and incest are cruel and unusual. It happens everyday in Arkansas and nationally. Arkansas has some of the most egregious anti-reproductive rights and bodily autonomy legislation in the country.
I am asking that we use our collective voices to produce a victory for democracy, constitutional rights, and human rights come this November 8. We will speak as one voice and send new leadership to Washington, DC from Central Arkansas that hears your cries and will help wipe your eyes. We will not turn back to the days of forced childbearing, deadly abortions, and more women dying on the table giving birth.
The SCOTUS was wrong about the Dred Scott Decision which stated blacks were not citizens whether they were free or enslaved. The SCOTUS was wrong about Plessy v. Ferguson which codified Jim Crow Segregation and further racially separated the nation for nearly seventy (70) years. The SCOTUS was wrong today by overturning a women's right to choose her healthcare.
Elections matter! Presidential power matters! Who sits in Congress matters! The following justices, all appointed by Republicans voted against Roe v. Wade:
Samuel Alito, George W. Bush (Elected by the Electoral College not the popular vote)
Amy Coney Barrett, by (Elected by the Electoral College not the popular vote)
Neil Gorsuch, by 45 (Elected by the Electoral College not the popular vote)
Brett Kavanaugh, by 45 (Elected by the Electoral College not the popular vote)
Clarence Thomas, George H.W. Bush
We must act upon the words of Congresswoman Shirley Chisholm of being unbought and unbossed, and take it a step further to be unrelenting, unassailable, unfurled, unfettered, unabashed, and unequivocal as we fight for equal rights for women and all people of the Second Congressional District (AR-02)!
May We Go Onward, Forward, Upward, And Outward:
Social
Methodically and intentionally close the gender gap
Universal healthcare for women and expecting mothers
Do not shackle or handcuff incarcerated women during childbirth
Protect reproductive and sexual rights and access to contraceptives
Support pro-choice and reproductive rights
Eradicate trafficking of forced laborers and sexual slaves
State and federal legislation to "Bring The Man Back In The House," which is a counter to the Aid To Families With Dependent Children (AFDC) policy, "No Man In The House" Rule
Close the “Boyfriend Loophole” and broaden the definition to intimate partners to casual daters, and anyone with a domestic violence conviction
Political
Ratify a 21st century Equal Rights Amendment (ERA)
Increase protections of women in tribal, indigenous, and native government jurisdictions
Fully enforce and fund laws on the books which are related to violence, equal protection, due process, employment protections, and healthcare
Codify Roe v. Wade
Craft and execute legislation to end female genital mutilation
Holistically, implement a victim advocacy, harassment, sexual assault prevention program that is consistent across each branch of the armed forces
Economic
Promote feminist philanthropy at the state and local levels
Grant new mothers and fathers a minimum of eight (8) weeks of paid leave from their employers
Grant women one-third (1/3) of all local, state, and federal government contracts
Ensure minority businesses and those owned by women have fair and impartial opportunities to participate in grants and funding programs
Expand the current Fair Housing Act by ending discrimination against members of protected classes, LGBTQ+ citizens, those unmarried, and housing subsidy recipients
Cognitive
State governments, local school boards, and college boards offer and enroll students in gender studies courses at the elementary, secondary, and collegiate levels
All college and university students are to enroll and pass a course on minority or women’s studies prior to graduation
*This piece is dedicated to my beautiful beloved mother, Ms. J.A. Hathaway and my nurturing maternal grandmother, Ms. Willie Mae Hathaway. For their love, power, and protection forever rests upon me and may I go tell the story of their lives and legacies to every corner of the world.
This is my charge and mandate.
