One in four women in the United States will have an abortion before the age of 45. Despite this, it remains one of the most taboo subjects for people all across the country, hallmarked as one of those sticky subjects you should never bring up at the dinner table or around the holidays. Everyone has an opinion. And as second-wave feminists shouted in the 1960s, "the personal is political."
The debate over abortion and reproductive rights is far from over. Every year comes with it a new threat to women's autonomy and safety at the hands of pro-lifers who want to make it increasingly difficult to get an abortion. But I think the fight for legality is only the beginning. I think what can sincerely help the pro-choice movement and the safety of all women is to normalize abortion. Because looking at the statistics, it is incredibly normal.
One campaign known as Shout Your Abortion is doing just that. According to their website, "#ShoutYourAbortion is a decentralized network of individuals talking about abortion on our own terms and creating space for others to do the same ... Abortion is normal. Our stories are ours to tell. This is not a debate." It started with one shirt that reads, "Everyone Knows I Had An Abortion," which you can still purchase at their online store here. Those behind the campaign add that the movement is "powered by the idea that anti-choice legislation cannot survive if talking about abortion becomes as normal as the procedure itself."
There is a lot of truth behind this statement. Deciding that abortion is a normal procedure that should not be stigmatized is an important step in keeping it safe, legal, and accessible for all women and diminishing the shame and fear that often comes with such a politicized decision.
So #ShoutYourAbortion. If you haven't had an abortion, shout your support and acceptance of them and those that choose to have them. Shout it online, to your friends and family, and at the polls every election. We need to normalize abortion once and for all.