Sup snowflakes! How’re we doing? Hanging in? Y’all aren’t still crying every day, are you? Yeah, me neither … that wouldn’t be healthy.
Ahem.
Like many folks, I begin my mornings by telling my phone to go fuck a monkey and hitting the snooze button several dozen times. When I finally commit to prying my sleep-laden eyes open, the first thing they settle on is the latest damage report. Within minutes, I am so energized by anger that I hurl my body from bed, usually screaming, “WE’RE ALL FUCKED! IT’S OVER!” Naturally, I thought it’d be useful to share that feeling. Welcome to, “Say What?” where I’ll be breaking down the latest absurdities from Immortan Don and his fuck bois war boys in Washington (‘cause we’re speeding towards a Mad Max: Fury Road climate situation, without the kickass cars).
First up, you may have heard of the fun bill titled the “Prenatal Nondiscrimination Act of 2017.” The bill, sponsored by Trent Franks and cosponsored by a proper assload of Republican Congressmen (and, wtf, four Congresswomen), makes providing an abortion based on the gender or race of the fetus a felony punishable by “fines and/or imprisonment for up to five years.” This lil’ gem also “authorizes civil action” against the provider by the father or maternal grandparents of the “unborn children.” How is it determined that a provider is guilty of, uh, “prenatal racial discrimination?” Since the bill makes zero mention of any guidelines, it’s open to personal interpretation. Say what? Basically, if you are a person of color (or know you’re preggo with a girl) and have an abortion, your doctor could be fined, jailed, or sued by your mama or your boyfriend/husband/one-night stand (no judgment). You know, low stakes.
Photo by Gage Skidmore 
Remember me? Here’s a hint, “you know, the incidence of rape resulting in pregnancy are very low.”
You’re probably thinking, “Since when does the party of modern voter suppression give a shit about discrimination?” Good question, astute reader. They don’t. They’re just too cowardly to call this bill what it is: another attempt to restrict reproductive rights and decrease access to abortion. People of color will be disproportionately impacted, but please GOP, tell us again about fighting racism.
Here’s What You Can Do
Realize that regulating reproductive rights is a slippery slope? (If ya wanna see how that works out just pick up a copy of The Handmaid’s Tale. Hint: it doesn’t go well.) Call (202) 224-3121, ask for your Congressperson and let them know a vote for H.R. 147, means they can go ahead and start looking for another job. Not sure who your rep is? Enter your zip code here.