FILMS BY DOMAIN
Pregnancy, Birth and The Right to Choose
This month, the Supreme Court has overturned Roe vs. Wade, the landmark 1973 decision guaranteeing women’s federal constitutional protection of abortion rights. The publication of this news has been met with public outrage, bringing thousands of Americans to protest throughout the country. While the politicization of abortion rights is far from news, it is one hot-button issue that is not distinctly defined by party line. In Reversing Roe, directors Annie Sundberg and Ricki Stern explore Nixon’s “Southern Strategy”, in which he took an anti-abortion position as part of a strategy to motivate Catholic and conservative voters to increase political engagement. Before this, the issue of aborion was widely non-politicized. In fact, according to several recent studies, the majority of Americans believe that Roe vs. Wade should be upheld. The nuances surrounding America’s pro-choice versus pro-life debate, and the implications of overturning the decision, have brought abortion rights to the forefront of the American mind. And, as we barrel closer to the Supreme Court’s confirmation of this decision, we’re forced to reckon with a new landscape, causing concerns for the future of women’s health. As we seek to interpret the near future, it’s valuable to look back on the past; how has America historically sought to govern women’s bodies when it comes to pregnancy, birth and choice?
