We knew this day would come. The day when the poor choices America has made would surmount the ability of reason and empathy on the Supreme Court. Perhaps that day has long since passed. Regardless, what today signifies is the beginning of a new phase in the American experiment.
For too long, too many of us have been passive. Accepting the full benefits of living in a “democracy” without actually taking the time, making the time and giving the time to ensure that our form of government is actually living up to its ideals. But, again, idealism is easy
We made excuses for police brutality and injustice, for corporate profits through the roof amidst poor work conditions, for sexism and racism that permeates nearly every facet of our “democracy” while we are collectively ruled by a minority of wealthy and white. This is not news.
And now they’ve finally done what we feared. Overturning Roe v Wade is a marker in America’s turn and this ship, this ocean liner, will not turn around easily. It will not turn with one politician, one election, one vote, one court appointment, nor one issue. This will take more.
Not everyone will run for office. Not everyone will lobby their member of Congress. Not everyone will boycott or protest. Not everyone can vote. Yet, everyone must be heard. The days of America relying on the participation of a few to reach for its democratic ideals are over.
It pains me to think of the teenager who has no options. The rape or incest victim who will have no safe choice. The mother of children who will be forced to risk her life to give birth again. But it also pains me to see how this country has birthed this apathy for decades.
Are Republicans alone to blame? Are conservatives forcing America down this path? Certainly not alone. We are all responsible and accountable and we are all being tasked with turning the course of this country around. Are you pulling hard enough or are you watching others pull?
America is full of beauty and love and vision but today what is essential is grit and resilience and the kind of struggle born of true pain and true agony and true belief in what this country has said it wants to be but has never but still could.