Deal with it Catholics: Pro-Choice for Life

It happened again. A man, a theology and religious education professor nonetheless, lent his opinion on the status of abortion in politics, mainly as the title of the op-ed clearly states, “To Win Again, Democrats Must Stop Being the Abortion Party.” As if another male could really contribute to the contentious debate that only affects women, but alas, here’s another male writing about abortion, if only to critique the professor’s lack of knowledge on the subject.

The author is attempting to weed through the reasons why Secretary Hillary Clinton didn’t win enough support from Catholics as former President Barack Obama had in the past, dismissing the idea that the droves of working-class voters made up by said Catholics were more concerned with jobs than abortion. Without citing any poll or survey, he argues that Clinton’s unwavering support for a women’s choice had lost her the election, specifically the Catholic vote.

Obama also supported a women’s right to choose, which the author either fails to mention or bowdlerizes to insinuate a difference between the two Democrats. Yet the reason abortion had become an issue again during the election was not because of Clinton’s unwavering support of Roe v. Wade but of Republicans all out war on access to abortions.

Clearly the professor doesn’t have the expertise on any subject to speak with such authority. Not once does the professor mention legislation restricting and eliminating abortion access that has sprung up in various states over the last decade. Republican lawmakers from various states, with the help from anti-choice groups like Americans United for Life, have devised a slew of requirements they found necessary to subject women to in their private decision. This includes making women wait days or requiring an invasive procedure known as transvaginal ultrasound to hear the heartbeat.

Texas has been at the forefront of enacting such laws that restricted access. The state enacted laws aimed at facilities that provided abortions, resulting in many clinics having to close down due to the mostly impossible standards set by the legislature. These laws were later struck down by the Supreme Court for obstructing a women’s access to abortions.

This is why the Democratic party must remain the in the corner for women, not only for their right to choose but to have unfettered access with few obstacles. If Republicans and Catholics allow Roe v. Wade to remain without repeatedly building roadblocks than the law wouldn’t have to be constantly defended by Clinton and Democrats. Instead many are in fear with the fate of the law in doubt, so it is only natural that the left remain vigilant against any further attempts to dismantle a woman’s right to choose. Women fought for the law, they’ll fight to keep it alive.

It’s not Democrats that need to change, it’s the group of Catholics and other religious sects that refuse to move on and accept that social norms have changed and our laws must reflect society. New York Times understood that by publishing this op-ed that a flurry of objections would arise from many irate women over another mansplainer giving his take on abortion, specifically over at women media outlets like Jezebel or Bustle. Hopefully the professor and his fellow Catholics will listen and learn that not only will women’s choice be a right in this country but that also Democrats will not abandon them.