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I never imagined I would find myself writing this in 2021, but last week I voted against a local measure that would designate my university town as a “Sanctuary City for the Unborn.” This ordinance effectively classifies abortion at any stage of pregnancy as murder. Across Texas, 22 cities and two in Nebraska have pursued similar designations, with Big Spring, TX, being the largest so far at just over 28,000 residents.
Now, Lubbock, TX—a university city known for Texas Tech University and its rich cultural history—has become the largest city in the U.S. to adopt such a law, boasting a population of 258,862. The pressing question is: Are those who supported this law genuinely pro-life, or are they merely pro-birth?
Driving through Lubbock, one can’t miss the numerous signs urging residents to “Vote for Life.” These signs are prominently displayed at homes, businesses, churches, and street corners in this deeply religious community. However, the push for this ordinance raises critical questions about the implications of voting yes. What does it mean to be pro-life? Does it encompass the support for women who unexpectedly find themselves pregnant? How do we prioritize the life of the mother alongside that of the unborn child, especially in cases of sexual assault?
Once the baby arrives, what happens next? How do we address the strain on social services, particularly when there is an urgent need for foster care since the onset of the pandemic? What about the children born into environments where they may experience neglect or abuse, as Lubbock County grapples with one of the highest child abuse rates in Texas? These issues linger in my mind as I observe the “Vote for Life” signs scattered throughout our town.
A friend who supported the ordinance posed a thought-provoking challenge: being truly pro-life means taking action beyond just voting—like fostering, volunteering, or donating. While I fundamentally disagree with her stance, I respect her call for those who support the ordinance to engage meaningfully with the concept of pro-life.
Recently, I received a flyer from the “Vote for Life” campaign, proclaiming, “This is not political—we simply want to protect life. It’s about standing up for defenseless babies and their mothers.” As a woman and a mother, I can’t help but think that protecting life encompasses far more than just the act of giving birth. It involves ensuring access to quality medical care for both mother and child, creating an environment where infants are welcomed into loving homes equipped to nurture them, and advocating for the needs of parents and children in a nation that lacks mandated paid parental leave.
Furthermore, we must consider the mental well-being of mothers and the choices available to survivors of sexual assault. Instead of focusing solely on pro-birth initiatives, we should direct our efforts towards educating and supporting women who may not be prepared for motherhood. If a child is born into hardship, we need to have systems in place to support both the mother and child throughout their lives.
I firmly believe that being pro-choice means supporting life by promoting education on sexual health and providing affordable healthcare options for women of reproductive age. I urge everyone who believes that voting for a Sanctuary City ordinance equates to supporting life to reflect deeply on what that really entails. If voting yes is merely a checkbox on a ballot, can it truly be considered as being pro-life?
Last night, I cast my vote against the ordinance, which ultimately passed by a significant margin. However, I doubt that its supporters fully grasp the broader implications of their decision. To genuinely support life, we must ensure that adequate resources and structures are in place to assist mothers and children—not just at birth but throughout their lives. If we make decisions for others without recognizing their unique circumstances, we fail to uphold the very essence of supporting life.
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