The reversal of Roe v. Wade ends an era in American politics, during which an elective medical procedure to kill one’s baby was treated as a sacred cow, outside the realm of democracy. It also puts the shoe on the other foot for those who have been screaming about “our democracy” for months now. Roe’s reversal, by sending the question of abortion back to the states, is a restoration of democracy.
The Constitution, which obviously is silent on the subject of abortion, will no longer be treated as an impediment to states’ legitimate interests, which was even invoked in Roe itself, in protecting innocent human life from destruction.
Although this event is monumental, it would be a mistake to think it is the end. In fact, even where states pass complete bans on abortion — I expect a small handful will do so — that is not the end either.
If you want to help create a culture that values every baby’s life, I would recommend that you start today by donating to a reputable pregnancy help center. My favorite is the Women’s Care Center in my own hometown of South Bend, Indiana, where members of my own family have helped or worked at times. But good organizations like it exist all over the country — not all of them are as good, so please exercise due diligence. Many of these centers offer or arrange free prenatal care, STD tests and treatment, child care, job training, adoption referrals, free toys and diapers, career training opportunities, and just about anything else that a financially stressed mother with an unexpected pregnancy might need. The goal is to give her choices — specifically, choices other than killing her baby, which she may otherwise feel forced into.
There is this damnable lie that crops up in casual political conversations, that pro-lifers don’t care about babies after they are born. Nothing could be further from the truth, and I have seen people show their concern by putting their money where their mouth is. Dobbs offers a moment to take stock. I do not know if there is a way to prove this statistically, but I am told that nearly half of all babies born in the South Bend-Mishawaka area in northern Indiana receive some kind of help from the Women’s Care Center. That’s what I’d call having an affect — really helping create a culture of life.
There has never been less of an excuse for the barbarity of abortion than there is today. Economic struggles aside, we live in the most opulent era in all the millenniums of humanity’s existence. The resources exist to treat every child as wanted and to care for all of them in a way no one could have dreamed of 50 years ago.
Yes, a political and legal struggle is about to begin. But the first thing you should do in response to the Dobbs decision is to find a good organization that helps young mothers at the bottom of the income scale and share your resources with it.
