Illegal Abortions

In the documentary "Reversing Roe" the intense debate of abortion is discussed. Mainly, the documentary talks about abortion restrictions and bills to make abortions illegal. A point made throughout the documentary that stuck with me was the practice of illegal abortions. Illegal abortions resulted in the deaths of about 5,000 women a year in the 1960's. Women used coat hangers, knifes, and even threw themselves down the stairs because they did not have the money or were not in a state that allowed abortions. Abortions cost around $700 so many women are unable to get a proper abortion. Also, many states passed bills and laws making abortion illegal. The documentary said that poor African American women have had to turn to illegal abortions more than any other women. Another horrifying fact in the 1960s around abortion was that if you were to get an abortion you had to be sterilized as well. However, white wealthy women could possibly get away with not having to become sterilized. Race has once again emerged. The fact that African American women have to become sterilized, and that's even IF they are lucky enough to get legal, safe abortions, horrifies me. It makes me sick that white women had the opportunity to escape sterilization due to the color of their skin.

I am 100% pro-choice, I believe a woman has every right to her own body and if she is unable to move on with her pregnancy for any reason at all she should have the option of an abortion. I am extremely saddened to be made aware that many women had to resort to illegal abortions, which resulted in many of the women dying.