Editor Editor;
I am really disturbed about the Supreme Court’s decision to reverse Roe vs Wade. I hope you print my view on this subject even though it may be shocking.
I am disappointed that two women that I admire promoted the banning of abortions in Louisiana and help passed laws that imposed their religious beliefs on thousands of rape victims in the state.
I speak of Senator Katrina Jackson and Rep. Pat Moore. I understand that they are deeply religious and feel that their votes reflect their faith, but they were not elected to be preachers but to represent the people in their districts. That includes rape victims.
I am a rape victim. My step-father raped me multiple times, two of which resulted in pregnancies. I could not sleep at night. I had nightmares and was losing my mind. I would have probably killed myself if I had to have my stepfather’s babies.
I am grown now, but then I was a teenager. I had to choose. One of us was going to die, me or the child in my womb. It was frustrating to me, but I know I would have either killed myself or done much worse to the baby if it lived.
I had two abortions. I’m not proud of that. I know one day, I’ll have to answer for it in judgment, but they were hard choices and I will bear the consequences.
There are thousands like me in Louisiana who did not sleep around or live loosely as many think. Some of the victims are wives raped by their husbands, or date-rapes. Every person who has an abortion is not a whore. Many, like me, will have to deal with the decision to have an abortion all of their lives.
I’m disappointed that neither Senator Jackson or Rep. Moore, being women, could not represent us in the legislature. They voted for God, but has never been raped.
Tonya McCoy
West Monroe, La.
