A statement from Aimee Murphy, founder of Rehumanize International:
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Today marks a pivotal moment in the history of human rights: SCOTUS’s Dobbs decision effectively overturns Roe v. Wade and Planned Parenthood v. Casey. Now, states may protect prenatal humans within their borders. We should celebrate this verdict as a necessary step towards building a culture where each and every human being is respected, valued, and protected. As one pro-lifer noted, “Abortion killed my siblings while they were in the womb. This feels like a small bit of justice for them.”
We should face this moment in history with hope, also recognizing that many people have valid fears. Rehumanize International aims to go beyond partisan rhetoric to build a world beyond abortion; the answer to difficult pregnancies is not dehumanization and violence, but meeting the needs of pregnant people and families. This is not a time to gloat, think our work is done, or dehumanize those “on the other side.” Instead, we must stand in a posture of humility, to see the humanity of those lashing out in hurt and anxiety. We must remember that our effort to uphold human dignity doesn’t end at birth. We must listen, roll our sleeves up, and work in diverse political coalitions to make sure that mothers and their children don’t fall through the cracks.
In listening to people — pro-life and pro-choice — over the years, we've heard many suggested ways our society could better care for pregnant people and their children: ample paid family leave; a child tax credit; restorative justice after abortion; universal childcare and healthcare including culturally competent antenatal, postpartum, and lactation care; guaranteed housing, food, water, and basic income; and compassionate medicine for ectopic pregnancies and miscarriages, to name a few. Opinions on solutions may vary, but one thing is clear: our labor is far from over. We want to collaborate with folks like you — across party lines — to do this necessary work to build a culture of peace and life.
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