Lizzo addresses her $500,000 donation following Roe being overturned as she continues to show her support for abortion rights. The idol discussed with Vanity Fair why it shouldn’t matter even though she never had an abortion herself. The Vanity cover star stated, “it shouldn’t matter if I had a personal experience or knew somebody!”
Lizzo condemned the U.S. Supreme Court for transforming the law into “a weapon against human rights.”
While Lizzo knows people who’ve had abortions, she said her donation wasn’t a decision based on personal experience. She stated she shouldn’t need to have had an abortion in order to comprehend the importance of people having safe access to reproductive health care. The artist told the magazine, “I know plenty of people who would have died if they hadn’t had that procedure!” She adds, “It shouldn’t matter if I had a personal experience or knew somebody.” Preaching that her opinion doesn’t matter, she adds that opinions is what got us in this to begin with. She continues to express, “These days, we don’t create laws that support people having health care, never mind abortions. How about letting people have access and resources and mind their f*cking business?”
“I know plenty of people who would have died if they hadn’t had that procedure…These days, we don’t create laws that support people having health care, never mind abortions. How about letting people have access and resources…?”
The “Rumors” artist talked with Vanity about her $500,000 donation to Planned Parenthood and the National Network of Abortion Funds, which was then matched by Live Nation. The Grammy and Emmy-winning artist shared how she went to both organizations and took any real action she could to address the situation. The star said she was told she should donate, and that’s what she did.
Lizzo explains she feels the U.S. Supreme Court has “politicized law” and is determined upholding “white male supremacy” in the nation.
The “About Damn Time” singer says, “The fact is, I don’t know what they’re doing. I see they’re listening, but we’re in a post–’thoughts and prayers’ society.” She continues to add that thoughts and prayers just don’t cut it anymore, referring to the Biden administration. “I’m not condemning this current administration. I’m just very curious as to what kind of real steps they can take.” However the advocate said the Supreme Court has “politicized law and made it a weapon against human rights… It’s about power and control.”
The superstar also went on address the dehumanization of Black people. Feeling “very hopeless” she says, “I’d like to be an optimist, but I’m a chronically disappointed optimist,” She explains, “I don’t think there was a time when we were treated fairly and with respect.” She said this country has never gone forward, it’s stayed pretty much the same.
Pro-life and pro-choice demonstrators gather in front of the US Supreme Court. Image source: BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/AFP via Getty Images.
Roe v Wade is a hot-button issue currently in the United States. But the medium of rap music has been speaking on it for decades.
It’s no secret music has a significant influence on American society’s social and political landscape. The 60s sound-tracked the public feelings on civil rights, and the hits of the 70s reflected Americans’ thoughts on the ongoing war. With rap being the most dominant genre of music on the Billboard charts, it works as a vessel for discourse in our modern day.
Following the 1973 Roe v Wade ruling, a precedent was set to consider abortion a constitutional right. At the time, this disrupted state anti-abortion laws across the country and sparked a pressing debate, continuing to this day. As the public’s view on abortion changes drastically over time, How has its narrative in Hip-Hop changed with it?
Fresh Off Roe V. Wade
One of the earliest and most condemning mentions of abortion in rap is the aptly under name “Abortion” by Doug E. Fresh. The 1986 song is entirely about opposing the procedure on a moral basis. Doug E. Fresh and the Get Fresh Crew reflected many Americans’ views back at the times when sex education was much hardly available.
36 years later, we see the same anti-abortion arguments as in 1986 Doug E. Fresh’s and the Get Fresh Crew’s song. However, today such discourse takes place on the Senate floor.
Mind distortion, the world morals is out of proportion
And I want it played in every Walkman
All of us were born into a life of sin
That’s something in the genes buried deep within
But to give or take life, you must pay the price
Of course, this is just 13 years after Roe v Wade. Soon enough, many more artists and Americans alike would gain a deeper understanding. At least, for a bit of a while. 2
Tupac Turns The Tide
Tupac Shakur is known for being ahead of his time in more ways than one. This includes his take on reproductive rights. Seeing as how Shakur grew up with a single mother, he shows rare sympathy for young girls raising kids. In his 1993 song “Keep Ya Head Up,” Tupac clearly states his belief that women should have the right to choose.
And since a man can’t make one
He has no right to tell a woman when and where to create one
So will the real men get up
I know you’re fed up, ladies, but keep ya head up
Obviously, this is something Shakur felt passionate about. Two years earlier, he released “Brenda’s Got a Baby.” This well-known track details a pregnant young girl facing unimaginable hardship after suffering sexual abuse.
I hear Brenda’s got a baby
But Brenda’s barely got a brain
A damn shame, the girl can hardly spell her name
Tupac vividly paints a picture of the circumstances a baby can be born into when women are stripped of their reproductive rights. Notably, “Brenda’s Got a Baby” struck a chord with many listeners who never heard a record told from the mother’s viewpoint. It remains one of Tupac’s most beloved records in his impressive catalog.
Up Close & Personal
Another rapper who hasn’t shied away from the topic of abortion is Lauryn Hill. The Fugees alumna has a firsthand account of being pregnant and on the fence about getting the procedure. In her 1998 song “To Zion,” Hill describes in detail the pressure she was under to terminate her first pregnancy.
Woe this crazy circumstance
I knew his life deserved a chance
But everybody told me to be smart
‘Look at your career,’ they said
“Lauryn, baby, use your head”
But instead, I chose to use my heart
Now the joy of my world is in Zion
Zion came to Hill during a tumultuous time in her life and career. The then-22-year-old was just starting her solo career after a rocky relationship with bandmate Wyclef Jean. It’s easy to imagine those around Hill discouraging her decision, but the beauty of “To Zion” is the presence of a decision. Through a mix of storytelling and actual experience, the “Ex-Factor” MC expresses her love for her son and stands firmly in her choice.
Common and Lauryn collaborated on another song about family planning the previous year. “Retrospect For Life” follows a young couple discussing if they should start a family or not.
I wouldn’t choose any other to mother my understanding
But I want our Parenthood to come from Planning
It’s so much in my life that’s undone
We gotta see eye to eye about family before we can become one
By the content and context of the lyrics, it’s clear that abortion has shifted from a complete taboo to an ordinary conversation. Of course, the public eye would still avoid the subject. However, many couples start talking behind closed doors. Kids impact everything for their parents, money, space, time, and “Retrospect For Life” gets candid about that. Similarly to Zion, this adds a human element to the debate.
The Hardest Decision
As Hip-Hop transitioned into the new millennium, the politics surrounding reproductive rights continued to evolve. Two rap songs from the 2000s, “What’s Going On” and “My Story (Please Forgive Me),” give a more regretful stance.
Love & Hip Hop star and artist Remy Ma loves to gush about her kids and the joy of motherhood. But avid fans know motherhood has always been a big part of her. In “What’s Going On,” featuring Keyshia Cole, Remy tells the tale of a young woman looking back on her abortion with remorse.
Tell me what’s going I know what I’m doing is wrong
Can you hear me, Lord, when I’m calling? Forgive me, my baby
How am I supposed to feel the situation is real
Neva wanted to let you baby go. We’ll meet again, I know, baby
Similarly, in “My Story” by Jean Grae, pregnancy termination is allegedly dark and guilt-inducing.
See when the rain comes down, I know it’s fallin’ for me, and only for me
And when the pain comes around, there’s nowhere else I rather would be
I know what I’ve done. Please forgive me
It’s worth noting neither artist here puts down women who choose that planned parenthood trip. There are no petty insults or agendas but rather harsh truths about the realities of such a difficult choice. Like many rap songs about reproductive rights, simple storytelling here makes compelling points.
Looking Ahead At Roe V. Wade
More recent offerings in the Hip-Hop world reflect the still chaotic debate raging on. On the one hand, there’s still sympathy for potential mothers in tracks like “Lost Ones” by J Cole. The early 2010’s deep cut documents a young man telling his girlfriend he doesn’t think they’re ready to start a family. Abortion here is framed as a decision for a man and woman to make together for their own sake. However, many rappers in our current landscape still see abortion in an inherently negative light. “If These Walls Could Talk,” by Gat Turner and Viva Fidel, explicitly calls it murder.
Shook like an unborn man, my life in danger
Cause first sign of trouble mama looking for the hanger
Shook like an unborn mama trying to murder me
First-degree abortion, devil call it surgery
Indeed, time doesn’t wash away long-held beliefs. These two songs perfectly exemplify the two sides of the coin in the contentious political battle. What appears as family planning to some has more immense moral implications for others.
Wherever you stand, it’s clear that reproductive rights are going through a change unseen since 1973. The country’s political landscape is slowly changing, and rap music will continue to be the soundtrack for that transition.
Brandy Bottone(pictured) insists that her soon-to-be born child should count as an individual passenger in Texas high-occupancy vehicle lanes (Jason Janik / Special Contributor)
Brandy Bottone is making a buzz on the internet lately. After being charged $215 for traveling in the HOV lane, the pregnant lady; concerned, argues, that her fetus is considered a passenger and is even taking the matter further. She’s not willing to lose money on something she disapproves of.
Short Biography
33-year-old Brandy is a well-known Event Planner and has tons of followers on social media. She eventually completed her studies and graduated from a private college in America. She’s happily married to Austin Bottone.
Brandy Incident
Long story short, Brandy was making her way to Dallas on June 29 and took the HOV (high-occupancy vehicle) – where typically 2 or more passengers are requested. Stopped at the checkpoint, the officer inquired about the other passenger. As she mentioned to The Washington Post, the cop asked: “Is it just you or is someone else riding with you? “She pointed at her belly and claimed that are indeed 2 passengers traveling in the car. “I said, ‘Oh, there’s two of us,’” Bottone said. “And he said, ‘Where?’”
Being 34 weeks pregnant, the officer did not count it, unfortunately. He referred to 2 persons as being “outside the body” which is different in her case.
How Bottone is handling the case
So, she decided to take the matter to court and surprisingly, received a lot of support from women out there. Also, she said many women texted her and wanted to be part of this cause which is motivating. She hired a lawyer in fact to show that they’re indeed dealing with serious stuff here. Furthermore, the lady who’s originally from Texas is not only intending to fight her own case but wants to establish new rules. These established laws will allow pregnant women to travel in that lane.
The real issue with Texas is that it considers a fetus as a person but its transport system code does not. Already, the state is banning abortion, now with her case, things might seem harder than ever.
Fact : Texas is among the 13 states to had “trigger bans” when it comes to abortion.
This debate is going to last around for a while as she is expecting her delivery on Aug 3. Well, to know more, we have to patiently wait for the 20th July, for her first tribunal session.
President Biden delivering his message on abortion rights. Image source: CNN.
On Friday, Jul 8, President Biden signed an executive order to protect access to reproductive health services. The news came after the supreme court overturned Roe v. Wade and effectively eliminated the constitutional right for women to get an abortion. The executive order protects access to medicated abortion, emergency contraception, and patient privacy.
The order also attempts to launch public education efforts on abortion issues. It will include improved security and legal options for those seeking and providing abortion services. The order will also require the secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS), Xavier Becerra, to update Biden on the actions Becerra is taking. The HHS will take steps to expand access to emergency contraception and long-acting reversible contraception like IUDs. The attorney general and White House counsel are meeting with private pro bono attorneys for the obvious legal challenges ahead.
“President Biden has made it clear that the only way to secure woman’s right to choose is for Congress to restore the protections of Roe as federal law. Until then, he has done everything in his power to defend reproductive rights and protect access to safe and legal abortion.”
Ultimately, there is no single action that the president can take to restore the nationwide right to abortion fully. President Biden himself has acknowledged this fact. Biden has also called on the American people to vote for new congress members this November. The president’s statement declares that Congress needs members who support federal legislation protecting abortion rights. However, the White House also clarified that the president does not support the expansion of the Supreme Court. However, many progressives want this change to happen. Another progressive idea that the White House dismissed was the idea of using federal land for abortion sites.
In a landmark decision, the Supreme Court voted 5-4 on Friday to overturn Roe v. Wade. The controversial ruling effectively ends 50 years of constitutionally protected abortion in the United States. In addition, the decision gives individual states the power to set their own abortion laws.
Almost half of the states are expected to trigger laws either outright banning abortions or severely limiting them. These laws will affect millions of women who may have to cross state lines to get reproductive healthcare.
Justice Samuel Alito wrote the opinion which struck down Roe v. Wade. Four other conservative judges supported the ruling.
“It is time to heed the Constitution and return the issue of abortion to the people’s elected representatives,” Alito wrote in his opinion.
The Supreme Court’s decision was not entirely unexpected, however. A draft opinion was leaked anonymously in late May, sending shockwaves across the nation. Activists on both sides of the abortion issue converged on the courthouse to make their voices heard.
The decision came a day after the Court issued another controversial ruling which struck down concealed carry laws in New York. However, the case which led to Roe’s demise was the most significant one of the Court’s term.
Reactions to the Supreme Court ruling
Though the decision to overturn Roe will mean that large sections of the country will ban abortions, some states still plan to keep abortion legal. North Carolina Governor issued a statement shortly after the announcement.
Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi also urged Americans to stand up for their reproductive rights in the upcoming midterms.
This cruel ruling is outrageous and heart-wrenching. But make no mistake: the rights of women and all Americans are on the ballot this November. Read my full statement on the Supreme Court Overturning Roe v. Wade here: https://t.co/byZ9D75SVG
And former President Barack Obama shared his own thoughts on the ruling on Twitter.
Today, the Supreme Court not only reversed nearly 50 years of precedent, it relegated the most intensely personal decision someone can make to the whims of politicians and ideologues—attacking the essential freedoms of millions of Americans.
Juno couldn’t go through with her abortion after that Asian girl stepped to her and said “Your baby has finger nails.” But what about the fingernails comment made her not want to do it? What if that fingernails comment still doesn’t have an affect on those still willing to have an abortion. Okay the baby has fingernails, so what? Although abortions are depicted as a crime against humanity, others feel that it’s a choice whether they want to have one or not. They shouldn’t be sorry for it either.
Recently the House of Representatives voted to revoke funding for Planned Parenthood. Planned Parenthood is a non-profit organization that has been around since 1916. The organization is known for helping women in need with reproductive health as well as maternal and child health services. One of the services Planned Parenthood offers is abortions, which explains the funding cut. This has a lot of pro-choice activists calling for attention. One way of doing that is starting a campaign on Twitter called #shoutyourabortion.
Three women, Lindy West, Amelia Bonow and Kimberly Morrison, started the campaign over the weekend. According to Yahoo News, the women said they started the campaign in a bid to encourage women to reclaim the conversation about abortion. Bonow shared her story on Facebook along with the hashtag.
Since then other women have taken to Twitter to also share their story. A friend of mine who had an abortion at Planned Parenthood commented on the issue saying “Yea, I mean a lot of women get abortions because either they don’t feel they can bring a baby into this world without being financially stable or something they just think they’re not ready for. That’s a woman’s choice to always have, I believe.”
