Black women's storied fight for reproductive rights

LeBron Hill, Nashville Tennessean
·2 min read
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Good morning, BTV!

An early and very happy Mother's Day! May Sunday be filled with love and gratitude for all that you do.

On Monday, news outlet Politico obtained a leaked Supreme Court draft opinion written by Justice Samuel Alito that would overturn the 1973 Roe v. Wade decision, which established a woman's right to terminate her pregnancy.

“Roe was egregiously wrong from the start," writes Justice Alito. "Its reasoning was exceptionally weak, and the decision has had damaging consequences. And far from bringing about a national settlement of the abortion issue, Roe and Casey have enflamed debate and deepened division.”

Chief Justice John Roberts launched an investigation this week to find out who leaked the draft opinion.

Supporters and proponents of the right to abortion have voiced their thoughts about the draft opinion and what this could mean for the future of reproductive rights.

For Black women, the right to abortion is critical, but it is not the only fight they have.

According to the CDC, "Black women are three times more likely to die from a pregnancy-related cause than white women."

Tennessean opinion columnist Kyra Watts shares that being pro-life goes beyond just pregnancy.

"We must keep an open mind and remember that becoming a parent isn't just about having a baby, but being able to provide for, guide and nurture another human being. That requires living wages, health insurance and access to quality and affordable childcare — which not everyone has," Watts wrote.

Watts interviewed Cherisse Scott, founder and CEO of SisterReach in Memphis, the state's only reproductive justice nonprofit organization.

Scott's journey, believing misinformation to then finding her truth, is powerful.

RaCarol Woodard of Springfield, organizing director of the Equity Alliance and Tequila Johnson, Cofounder and Coexecutive director of the Equity Alliance stand together after speaking to demonstrators who gathered to protest the potential overturning of Roe V. Wade after a leaked document revealed the Supreme Court privately voted to strike down the case that guarantees the right to abortion at Federal Courthouse in Nashville , Tenn., Tuesday, May 3, 2022.

Here's what else you'll find this week:

I know it's been an intense week, so I want to take this time to remind y'all that you can always reach out to me if you have an opinion you'd like to write.

As a journalist, I believe writing is one the best forms of expression, so please don't hesitate to send me anything.

Have a wonderful weekend!

LeBron Hill is an opinion columnist for the USA TODAY Network Tennessee and the curator of the Black Tennessee Voices newsletter. Feel free to contact him at LHill@gannett.com. Find him on Twitter at @hill_bron or Instagram at @antioniohill12.

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Black women's storied fight for reproductive rights