Must read/listen

An incredible speech.

Lake Highlands High Valedictorian Pulls Switcheroo on Commencement Speech.

In Texas. Scrapped her approved commencement speech to talk about the cruel, stupid, and typically Republican 6 week abortion ban that Texass approved.

Recently the heartbeat bill was passed in Texas. Starting in September, there will be a ban on abortions that take place after 6 weeks of pregnancy, regardless of whether the pregnancy was a result of rape or incest. 6 weeks. Most women don’t even realize they’re pregnant by then. And so, before they have the time to decide if they are emotionally, physically, and financially stable enough to carry out a full-term pregnancy, before they have the chance to decide if they can take on the responsibility of bringing another human into the world, the decision has been made for them by a stranger. A decision that will affect the rest of their lives.

I have dreams, hopes, and ambitions. Every girl here does. We have spent our whole lives working towards our futures, and without our consent or input, our control over our futures has been stripped away from us. I am terrified that if my contraceptives fail me, that if I’m raped, then my hopes and efforts and dreams for myself will no longer be relevant. I hope you can feel how gut-wrenching it is, how dehumanizing it is, to have the autonomy over your own body taken from you.

You go, girl! I wish you the best in your future and I'll keep your name in mind, I hope to hear from you again.

Also, credit to the high school: they did not mute the mic.

Bit of good news!

Linnea does, in fact, have housing for next fall. It was a bit of a mess because she was on the waitlist and we were concerned about what that meant for actually getting a room.

We shall see what dorm she's in!