DIY Abortions

I was shocked earlier this summer when I opened my latest issue of Glamour magazine to read an article on at-home abortions.   Many women who can’t afford to travel, who don’t want their parents or the father of the baby to know they’re pregnant, or who simply can’t afford a child are finding themselves with very limited options.  As access to safe, legal methods of abortion becomes increasingly limited, women are resorting to black-market remedies, which could ultimately land them in jail.  Consider the following:

·         There are still over 1 million legal abortions performed each year in the United States.

·         A 2015 survey in Texas found that 240,000 women had attempted to induce an abortion on their own – and that’s just in Texas!

·         Last year, Google reported there were over 700,000 searches done on “How to give yourself an abortion.”

In the past 5 years, Targeted Regulation of Abortion Providers (TARP) state laws have shut down 162 clinics, or prevented them from offering abortion services.  Here in Indiana, a federal judge recently suspended our new abortion law deeming it unconstitutional.  The Indiana law would’ve prohibited abortions on the basis of disability or race, and required abortion providers to bury or cremate fetal tissue.

Abortion is a hard topic to come to terms with, at least for me.  I’d like to think if I were pregnant, my faith would prevent me from considering abortion, but I’m also realistic enough to know that if I were young, and scared, abortion would certainly be on my mind.  I think it’s just a sad situation all around, and I’m glad I don’t have the responsibility of legislating what is a personal and very emotional decision. 

Next week in class we’re going to discuss the right to privacy that most Americans feel they are entitled to.  As part of that discussion, we’ll look at some of the groundbreaking abortion legislation that has come out of the Courts over the years.  So, I’m interested in knowing what you think – “Do you think we should continue to place restrictions and limitations on when, where and how woman can obtain abortions?  Please explain your answer.”  Answers are due no later than Wednesday, August 31^st, 2016.

Educated and Homeless

Last week, I read an article about the rise of college students in poverty.  The cost of attending college usually focuses on the tuition and fees; rarely does the conversation ever include the cost of living.  Now we all know that most college students would say they were poor.  I know there were weeks in college where I subsisted on Ramen noodles, Kool-Aid and McDonalds – which also happened to be where I worked.  However, looking back, I realize I really wasn’t that poor. Yes, I worked a low-paying job, and yes, I incurred a large amount of student loan debt, but I had a roof over my head and food in my belly – even if it wasn’t high quality food.  What’s more, even though my parents couldn’t help me much financially, they lived right down the street.  There was no chance of me ever becoming homeless, and I knew I could always stop by for a home-cooked meal. Most of you know my entire career has been focused on the complex issues related to poverty, which is why I found the statistics in this article so troubling.  Consider the following:

·         1:5 college students have gone hungry in the past year because they didn’t have money for food.

·         8-12% of college students are homeless, or lack permanent housing.

·         20% of college students have gone an entire day without food because money was tight.

These numbers broke my heart. Some say the numbers are even higher, and that the issue hasn’t been studied enough to know for sure.  Many students don’t talk about it because of the stigma associated with poverty.  Others who do talk about it are often rebuffed by family and friends who consider college poverty a rite of passage that comes with the territory.  I’m interested to know what you think, so my question this week is, “Do these numbers seem high to you – or is this what you would expect?  Do you think schools and universities have a responsibility to help address these issues – and if so, how?”  Answers are due no later than Wednesday, 25^th, 2016.  Please note that you have two weeks to complete this blog because I will be out of town next week. If you or someone you know is dealing with homelessness or food insecurity, please feel free to reach out – I may have resources that can help!

***I would be remiss this week if I didn’t dedicate this post to Shay Gaither, an Art Institute student who lost her life this past week.  I will always remember Shay’s infectious laugh and beautiful light. As I’ve mourned this past week, I’ve been comforted by the fact that we’re forever sisters, and somewhere, her soul lives on.  Shine on, sister, shine on!***

Ready for Rio!

The Summer Olympics begin on Friday! For those who know me, you know that I am a HUGE fan of the Olympics (An election and the Olympics?!  I'm in television heaven!). I love the artistry of the opening ceremonies. I get all caught up in the emotional stories of the athletes who have struggled so hard and overcome so many obstacles just to make their Olympic dreams come true. I watch sports I've never even heard of before (like curling) and I always, always cheer for the underdog.

So, to have a little fun this week, I’ll go easy on you.  My question this week is, "What is your favorite Olympic sport, and why?"  It's funny because I'm way too uncoordinated to play sports, but I love watching them on television.  My favorite Olympic sports are gymnastics and swimming in the Summer Olympics and snowboarding during the Winter Olympics. Their tricks look amazing!  Answers are due no later than Wednesday, August 10th, 2016.