Human rights are at the core of the social justice work that the Center for Civic Engagement does with Kalamazoo College students and the Kalamazoo community. We strive to support the full humanity of individuals and communities we work with by affirming their multiplicity of identities. Last week’s US Supreme Court ruling to overturn the 1973 Roe v. Wade decision to legalize abortions dangerously diminishes the civil and human rights of all people who can become pregnant.
SisterSong defines Reproductive Justice as, “the human right to maintain personal bodily autonomy, have children, not have children, and parent the children we have in safe and sustainable communities.” The CCE believes that bodily autonomy and the choice to have or not have children are human rights that all people have and deserve protections for. All human rights are interconnected and therefore one cannot be taken away without endangering the status of other rights such as right to healthcare, privacy, education, and more. The recent SCOTUS decision will disproportionately impact people of color, LGBTQIA+ folks, those in rural areas, and low-income communities. The CCE will do all that we can within the law to support our communities as we navigate this recent blow to civil and human rights.
We have a history of advocating for reproductive justice and will prioritize this focus this year. Students can take action through the Students for Reproductive Freedom (SRF) and the K Votes programs. SRF and K Votes are campus-community collaboratives offering educational programming on campus and community engagement opportunities in Kalamazoo. All members of the campus community are welcome to participate with either or both programs by contacting the current program Civic Engagement Scholars. If you are a student looking for other ways to get involved, please contact Riley Gabriel. We are a resource for you, so please don’t hesitate to contact our staff.
To learn more:
- My State Just Banned Abortion. What are my options? | The Guardian
- Universal Declaration of Human Rights | United Nations
- What the Reversal of Roe Means for Women’s Work | New York Times
- Why We Use Inclusive Language to Talk About Abortion | ACLU
- TransLash’s Trans-Affirming Guide to Roe v. Wade | TransLash
- Warning: This Supreme Court Is Hazardous to Your Health | The Nation
Opportunities for Action:
Start small:
- Become a participant in the K Votes or Students for Reproductive Freedom programs
- Educate yourself on the health outcomes of banning abortion and consider the implications to communities other than your own
- If it is safe and possible for you, bring this topic into conversation at home, with friends, or at work
- Join a discussion forum online or attend local forums or townhall meetings
Wider impact:
- If you are able, make a donation to support reproductive justice advocacy or directly support abortion access
- Planned Parenthood
- National Network of Abortion Funds
- Reclaim Project
- Center for Reproductive Rights
- Attend a protest or rally
- Contact your local or state elected representatives
- Keep an eye out for more communication from our Center regarding engagement opportunities
For students seeking resources:
For medical assistance:
For mental health assistance:
- Student Counseling Center
- The college chaplain, Liz Candido
- Gryphon Place Help Line: Dial 2-1-1 or 269.381.HELP (4357)
- MindSpa: A virtual space for relaxation, providing tools and resources for self-care.
- How the Health Are You?: Tools, resources and information on mental health for BIPOC.
- 6 Anxiety Exercises to Aid Relaxation
For Legal Inquiries:
- Repro Legal Helpline at 844-868-2812
- Electronic Frontier Foundation
For Staff and Faculty seeking resources:
For medical assistance:
For mental health assistance:
- The college chaplain, Liz Candido
- Gryphon Place Help Line: Dial 2-1-1 or 269.381.HELP (4357)
- How the Health Are You?: Tools, resources and information on mental health for BIPOC.
- MindSpa: A virtual space for relaxation, providing tools and resources for self-care.
- 6 Anxiety Exercises to Aid Relaxation
- Grounding Techniques: Exercises for Anxiety, PTSD, & More
For Legal Inquiries:
- Repro Legal Helpline at 844-868-2812
- Electronic Frontier Foundation