Public Square: What are your thoughts on Roe v. Wade reversal?

Abortion-rights supporters participate in the Engage the Rage rally June 25 at the state Capitol in Oklahoma City.
Abortion-rights supporters participate in the Engage the Rage rally June 25 at the state Capitol in Oklahoma City.

On June 24, the U.S. Supreme Court overturned the nearly 50-year right to an abortion. We asked social media readers for their thoughts on the landmark decision. Here are some of their responses:

  • "I am grateful that it has finally been overturned for the sake of the unborn. I am also sad that so many ill-informed people do not realize that Roe v. Wade was never constitutional. And that the Supreme Court does not legislate, they interpret the law. If Congress could have codified it, they would have."

— David Stetson, Midwest City

  • "This is a religious question and the decision should be left to the individual. No woman should have to forego her bodily autonomy because of a state Legislature. Medical decisions that don’t impact other individuals should be left to the individual and their doctor."

— Mary Nayobidnet, Edmond

  • "Like many at this, there is an abundance of emotions against abortion. I believe in the right to life because every living person has a life, family, and a day to leave this earth. The question is what do we do with the life given during this time. I have friends who were born with disabilities who were top of their class, married and raised children who would be considered normal, and healthy. A very close friend was considered handicapped because of cerebral palsy. She has a college degree, is married with three children (classified normal), and has grandchildren. Yes, she has challenges but she focuses on what can be accomplished and not focus on the negative. I am so grateful for this friendship and how I’ve learned from what are real challenges."

— Karen Stetson, Midwest City

  • "It is absolutely heartbreaking. I honestly never would have imagined that this would become reality until the last few months. I am working towards my PhD in clinical psychology and cannot help but think about the significant impact this will continue to have on women and people of marginalized groups. Suicide rates will rise. It’s hard not to feel helpless watching how this has happened. I will never forget this day."

— Kaitlyn Nagel, Stillwater

  • "It's a horrific example of politics gone bad. For a state supposedly all about freedom, it's allowed the government to insert themselves in a woman's body. Late-term abortions with a conscious body are just as horrific, but a total ban on such a personal issue is the ultimate example of government overreach. Issues like this are why federal governance is necessary — it makes up for local biases and base posturing. This is Exhibit A of why gerrymandered safe districts are so bad for the country. It discourages commonality and moderation — not in politics but in policy goals. No one side should get everything they want."

— Ernest Abrogar, Oklahoma City

  • "The ripple effects will be tremendous and cause every person harm. Women will have abortions, but rich people will travel to get them and poor people will get them illegally. The unwanted pregnancies will cause strain on everyone including an eventual rise in poverty, crime, and mental illness. It is a complete disaster and not the will of the people."

— Nicole Moore, Oklahoma City

  • "The Supreme Court is an absolute mockery of itself. 100% partisan politics from a body that supposedly prides itself on being non-partisan. 5 out of 9 justices are an absolute joke and embarrassment. No Supreme Court justice deserves a lifetime appointment to the court."

— Jordan Plemmons, Oklahoma City

  • "Abysmal! My daughter now has had the right to chose taken away from her — a right my generation has cherished for 50 years. So next, mandatory vasectomies for all baby boys at birth?"

— Angela Ailles Bahm, Oklahoma City

  • "I think this is a very sad time for America. We have taken a step back in time. We have deprived women who are already failed by the system in ways such as access to affordable/available child care, pay gap, government aid for children and even the recent formula shortage, to name a few.Women now have to be even more cautious to encounters with men they choose, on top of instances where men take advantage of women. The government again has put the poor and minority (in a situation) to suffer."

— Xiclali Villa, Edmond

  • "The supreme courts ruling to overturn Roe v. Wade is one of the biggest catastrophic embarrassments in American history. Not only is it humiliating and shameful for five people to set this country back 50 years, they have endangered and stripped thousands of American women from their rights. This barbaric decision goes to show that this country is not the leader of the free world like most people assume it is; this is the United States of America where white evangelicalism and Christianity sadly penetrate the laws of this country. Shame on the Supreme Court for infiltrating our democracy with their extremist and religious views. But because of this ruling, the American people know, now more than ever, that something has to change and something will change."

— Yenei Perez, Oklahoma City

The Public Square is a Viewpoints feature that seeks engagement from readers to questions on various issues of the day. Follow The Oklahoman on Facebook and on Twitter @TheOklahoman_ for weekly prompts for The Public Square.
The Public Square is a Viewpoints feature that seeks engagement from readers to questions on various issues of the day. Follow The Oklahoman on Facebook and on Twitter @TheOklahoman_ for weekly prompts for The Public Square.

Follow The Oklahoman on Facebook and on Twitter @TheOklahoman_ for upcoming prompts for The Public Square.

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Public Square: What are your thoughts on overturning Roe v. Wade?