Some forced birthers say that abortion is somehow comparable to slavery. It’s not a new conversation. It’s something that both sides use but it’s obvious who is the one supporting slavery and that’s not people who support abortion.  Let’s talk about that.

            Slavery in the US is historically associated with black people, so I needed to look at this from that perspective. To do that I started reading a book called Killing the Black Body by Dorothy Roberts. This is a book that focuses on the reproductive debate for black women. There is something chilling and horrifying when you see how female slaves were treated compared to how forced birthers treat women now. For instance, since the fetus was seen as something the slave owner could use and sell, he would make a women lie belly down on the ground as he whipped her for disobedience. As we know, female slaves were raped and just like now forced to carry. If she did not produce, she was punished.

In many states, they won’t even give a rape victim her rights, as the forced birthers see another fetus that might one day become something they can use. They ignore, like the people of old, a crime and a human. Nowadays instead of whips and beatings, forced birther use jail and possibly a death sentence to continue being the slave owners of today. This can be seen in the laws that states like Idaho and Louisiana tried to pass which would give the death penalty for anyone who gets an abortion.

            Another horrifying parallel is how much prolife wants to be able to capture their escaped slaves, sorry pregnant women. Multiple states signed a declaration asking for the right to demand medical records from other states. This is to make sure that if someone is a resident of their state, they can exercise complete control over them. Much like during times of slavery, when people would escape seeking a better life or in this case lifesaving medical care, they would be punished if they returned.

            I don’t know about you, but being a resident of your state does not mean you are its slave and required to produce for it, the church, GOP, or God. So much for that don’t tread on me or small government they like to talk about.

            I haven’t got through the whole book. It is hard to read about all the programs, laws, and other things that have been done to a segment of our population. It is eye opening to see how many things have been twisted. The real slavery is what forced birthers do to pregnant women and children; abortion is not.

Mosley-Morris, K. (August 31, 2023). Slavery rhetoric has long been part of abortion debate. ‘Abolitionists’ take it to next level. https://kansasreflector.com/2023/08/31/slavery-rhetoric-has-long-been-part-of-abortion-politics-abolitionists-take-it-to-the-next-level/ Benson, S. (July 18, 2023). Why Republican state AGs are seeking out-of-state medical records. Retrieved from https://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow-show/maddowblog/republican-state-ags-are-seeking-state-medical-records-rcna94935