The Importance of  “MY BODY MY CHOICE”

Opinion By Nia Cruz

Photos By Nia Cruz

Headline: The importance of “MY BODY MY CHOICE”

Subhead: an opinion on the Women’s March in Raleigh, NC

Reporter: Nia Cruz | The East Carolinian 

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OPINION - June 24, 2024, marks the 1 year anniversary of Roe vs. Wade being overturned by the US Government. Women, men, and members of the LGBTQ+ community joined together to march on the streets of Raleigh, NC. This march was not only to protest the ending of Roe vs. Wade but to also fight for the rights of what’s left of reproductive and gender-affirming health care. 

At 11 a.m. protesters began marching, holding a plethora of signs and chanting “MY BODY MY CHOICE” and “WOMEN’S RIGHTS ARE HUMAN RIGHTS” in the streets of the capital. 

I felt empowered to walk down the streets of Raleigh with my fellow sympathizers as we marched to the capitol building to let our voices be heard! I was stunned to see so many men at this protest, this changed my perspective on men caring about women’s issues. There’s been a stigma around the patriarchies’ grip on women’s rights and domestic violence. It was refreshing to see so many men standing up for this issue. I think more men should be present in women’s issues. 

I ran through the streets of Raleigh with my camera in hand leaving my partner behind while he helped me take video and supported me through the march. I felt a bit nervous to participate in something like this but I now understand the importance of being involved and allowing my voice to be heard. It is liberating to watch people of all ages fight for rights that should not have been taken away in the first place. 

When we arrived at the capitol building on 2nd East South Street, we were greeted by guest speakers Maria Cervania, North Carolina State Representative, and Jane Harrison, a Raleigh city council member. Along with many more guest speakers, sharing their stories and encouraging protesters to continue standing up for reproductive and gender-affirming health care. 

Jane Harrison spoke with me on the importance of this issue stating “Reproductive health care matters to everyone, if you have a uterus, if you know someone with a uterus, they are likely to need reproductive health care at some point. Whether you want to end a pregnancy or a wanted pregnancy, we require the same medical treatment whether it’s the abortion pill Mithopriston, or medical procedures like dilation, and evacuation. These are medical treatments that need to be available for people to choose to use if they so need to.”

Maria Cervania also had a similar stance on the issue of reproductive rights. She stated, “with this election year rapidly approaching we need to get like-minded people to be representatives in office to help fix these issues with gender-affirming care and reproductive rights.”

With the rise of conception being threatened she says “First they attack abortion and now contraceptives, such as IVF and Mithopristone, all of reproductive care. People talk about it being about women, but this is about men, trans women, LGBTQ people, it’s about everyone!” 

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention say 65% of women 15 to 49 use contraceptives in the United States. I have also talked to my partner about what to do if contraceptives get taken away. These are not conversations I should be having with him but I am forced out of fear that this is a threat to my reproductive rights, leading to having an unwanted pregnancy. 

Contraceptives help people who use them prevent unwanted pregnancies, and painful periods, help reduce acne, and balance hormones, says Planned Parenthood. 

Cervania says that young people should be involved. 

“The strongest change in history has come from people your age. Think about the civil rights movement. Any movement that has caused change came from students. This is why legislators want to take away your voting rights, take away your ability to vote, and take away voter education and education in general. You all need to mobilize!” 

This made me feel like I need to be more involved in politics and start paying attention to the decisions that negatively impact the American people. 

It is important to start mobilizing for not just yourself but your friends and family because this movement doesn’t just impact women, this movement impacts everyone. As a people we need to start caring about not just if this is the right thing for you, but for others. 

Before the protest, I felt desensitized to the fact that my rights as a woman were being stripped. It seems like there is nothing I could do about this but there is, I can always spread awareness, protest peacefully, and educate others. 

I will always and forever continue to shout at the top of my lungs “MY BODY MY CHOICE” and “WOMEN’S RIGHTS ARE HUMAN RIGHTS.” I will always, even if you don’t want it, fight for mine and your rights! 

Once again, MY BODY, MY CHOICE!

Published on The East Carolinian