Introducing #wokewednesday

Abortion is a hard topic to talk about, for many reasons. But one of the main reasons is that many people, including many pro-choice supporters, don’t actually know that much about it. And that’s understandable. Abortion is a topic that has been clouded by decades of shame and secrecy, not to mention intentional campaigns of misinformation by those seeking to restrict women’s reproductive freedom. And on top of that, it is a conversation that is constantly changing, as state legislatures continue to introduce new bills restricting abortion in various ways, which then get fought out in court cases that can last years, and providers must constantly adapt to these ever-changing circumstances.

So, in order to try to clear some of this morass, we at NARAL Pro-Choice Arizona and the Arizona Abortion Fund are launching #WokeWednesday. We’re calling it that because as the popular and evocative catchphrase implies, “staying woke” is an ever-ongoing process. It’s not about knowing everything, but about constantly learning and being aware. And that’s what we’ll be doing together.

Every Wednesday, we will post on social media and this blog about an important concept related to the medical process of abortion, abortion rights and access, and the broader movement for reproductive freedom. We will focus specifically on abortion and abortion rights in Arizona, one of the most restrictive states in the country for reproductive freedom, but many concepts will be applicable no matter where you live. Some topics we will cover in the coming weeks include: