I had every intention of coming back here to write about my visits in Galena, IL, the Northwoods of Wisconsin, Memphis, Boston/Salem, and DC.

I still will, but the inspiration drained quickly. If you are in America, or keep up with US current events from abroad, you should know.

While I’ll get back to my travel content shortly, and then home content when I get back to Africa, and other content that I’ll figure out eventually, I understand that my comments or maybe my personal posts on this blog are not what you as a reader are here for.

If I lose you, I understand. But first and foremost this blog that I pay for to host, is my life photos and all. My thoughts. My prerogative. I owe it to myself that my writing is part of my therapy. And I’d like for these thoughts to be here for those to come, or for me to reflect on in the future.

I think Stitch’s expression was foreshadowing these experiences while being in America.

Situations that are now affecting millions of women in the US can be so isolating, as if the situation itself does not already feel that way.

I would like to think that somehow we will see a way out of this. But in all honesty, the revocation of this federal protection and its justification seemingly to me, violates the 14th amendment and our rights to due process. That’s a discussion for people more qualified than me. I’m just no one except a girl that took a judicial process class during my political science degree ONCE. Again, I’m no Con-Law expert.

But ultimately, maybe the silence and stigma enabled the misinformation and revocation of a once protected right to privacy.

However, in seeing all who was speaking out on social media and who wasn’t, a video came up that talked about being at one point only “pro-life,” and now has since changed position, but ultimately when addressing these points, it all comes from a place of love.

Agreed to a certain level, but I’d like to expand that to say that the decision to terminate also comes from a place of love.

We’ll hear stories trying to appeal to the humanity of law makers that believe that women can control the amount of semen inside of them to prevent a pregnancy. Yes. That was said…by a woman….during a news conference on national tv. I don’t want to even get into the misinformation campaign by men.

Also, the stories of babies that were so desperately wanted, but ended in miscarriage (which now will be under intense scrutiny). The stories of young girls abused that need abortions because they are just children themselves.

What we don’t hear enough, are the stories of women and families that don’t want a child or children right now or ever. And whatever reason it may be, the decision was not taken lightly, or without emotion, but with love to know that they couldn’t provide, take care of, or risk their life for an embryo that wouldn’t make it outside of the womb at that stage. Or simply, that it was just not the right time. And all of that is okay, valid, and actually pro-life.

The US foster care system is in shambles. Our Child Protective Service departments are overwhelmed and underpaid. This country makes it extremely hard and expensive to foster and adopt, and yet, this country believes that an actual crime against humanity (forced birth) is the way to see us out of whatever dystopian image lawmakers have about our population or what life actually is.

Life to me is no children or families in poverty. Life to me is healthcare that is provided and of quality without fear of massive bills for everyone. Life is going to the grocery store, movie theater, school, a parade, concerts, outside of your home, in your car, or just anywhere without fear that someone will shoot you with a gun that is made for war. Life is clean air and water no matter where you live, knowing that violators will be held accountable for the sake of generations after you.

What is happening in this country is not at all life. Nothing we are seeing on tv or hearing on the radio is anti-abortion.

Anti-abortion laws are anti- a meaningful life, full of happiness and liberty.

This time is tough. Our time is short.

Until next time,

Carrie