A message from Black male Florida lawmakers: Black men must step up on abortion rights
Last week, we learned that the U.S Supreme Court is likely to overturn Roe v. Wade. While abortion remains legal today, this ruling would have devastating consequences, making abortion care even harder to access.
As Florida legislators, we knew this was coming. Our conservative colleagues clearly and continuously told all of us they plan to ban abortion, denying basic human rights to every woman and person who gets pregnant.
As Black men, we are especially concerned because we believe that abortion is healthcare and the lack of access to healthcare disproportionately affects Black women and families. Black women are three times more likely to die in childbirth than white women, regardless of socio-economic status, and Black infants are more likely to die than white infants.
Too many men see this as a woman’s issue, so we stand on the sidelines rather than being active allies involved in the movement for reproductive freedom. We speak as the brothers, sons, husbands, nephews, uncles and grandsons of the women most impacted by the assault on reproductive rights and access, and we unconditionally support Black women and all people in making their own
choices for their own lives.
As Black male legislators, we strongly encourage Black men to work side by side with the women leading this movement and we will stand with them every step of the way.
While we are concerned for Black women, let us be abundantly clear: We believe all people should have the power to control their own bodies. The government doesn’t and shouldn’t have the right to tell a woman what to do or not do with her own body.
The most important decision a person can ever make must absolutely not be a decision the government should have any ability to dictate.
As Black male legislators, we will not remain silent while the Supreme Court, or another government body denies equal protection to women and people who can get pregnant.
In the days and months to come, we believe we must look beyond the courts to secure reproductive freedom. The path
forward will need us to focus on state-by-state efforts to elect pro-choice candidates and pass legislation to protect and expand access to abortion care for all. Men4Choice will be right there on the ground, following the leadership of women, to do this work. So will we.
No person can be free if they don’t have the power to control their own body, their own reproductive decisions, and their own destiny.
This is a conversation about healthcare, and
about a lack of healthcare. This is about Black people having rights taken from them. While women should lead, as the most impacted by this fight, men should not be far behind, actively supporting what must be our shared fight for freedom.
Shevrin Jones is the state senator for District 35. Kevin Chambliss is the state representative for District 117. Daryl Campbell is the state representative for District 94. Travaris McCurdy is the state representative for District 46.