Since the departure of the U.S. from Afghanistan, the news has been filled with stories of the repercussions Afghan women now face as the Taliban gains control of the country. Emotions of outrage and fear dominate the American response. I share these feelings for the Afghan women and girls. I also experience these same feelings of outrage and fear for women in NH and across the U.S.
In NH, there’s a great debate about mask mandates. Opponents cite personal freedom, invasion of privacy and the right to individual choice as their inalienable right of liberty. Meanwhile, the NH legislature, under Republican control, passed a law mandating an unnecessary and invasive procedure to be performed on any woman seeking an abortion. To ensure the passage of this law they deceitfully attached it to the state budget. Our courageous and supposedly pro-women’s rights governor signed the budget with the abortion restrictions attached.
In Texas, the Republican legislators passed a draconian measure limiting abortion to six weeks after “conception.” This mandate will be enforced by citizen vigilantes, reminiscent of the bounty hunters involved with the Fugitive Slave Act of 1850. The Texas governor signed an executive order banning mask mandates, citing the inalienable right of personal freedom, invasion of privacy and the right of personal choice. We fear for Afghan women. I think we should have a greater fear of white, male Republican legislators in the NH statehouse and the Congress. Hypocrisy, misogyny, male domination on steroids.
Catherine Goegel
Canterbury