Opinion: Why Overturning Roe Was The Tipping Point

Trish Harrison

For most of my life, politics weren’t my thing. In my mind, they seemed dirty and muddy and always had been. Then Donald Trump got elected and scared the crap out of me.

The tipping point, I told my husband, would be if Roe v. Wade was ever in jeopardy. How could anyone have a say over what I would do with my body? I also have a daughter of my own, a daughter-in-law, and nieces. If people started attacking our fundamental reproductive rights, I would be out there fighting. That was a bridge way too far.

When Roe was overturned, that lit my fire. I decided to go all in. It was a life-defining moment, and I had to do something.

I came across Red, Wine and Blue, and it struck a chord with me. It didn’t feel nearly as political as some other options, and it was something I could believe in. Beyond abortion, they were tackling the ridiculousness of book banning and other tough issues. I liked that the environment was more conversational, with small groups of women chatting in a less formal setting.

When the opportunity came to become a regional organizer in Michigan, I took the leap. I’ve learned a lot in these past few months. Thanks to Red Wine & Blue I feel empowered and know I can have meaningful and deep conversations with friends and family, especially regarding our crazy Michigan politics. My biggest regret is that I didn’t get involved earlier. I feel like I screwed up by not paying attention at the local level in my younger years, like in my 20s.

Now that I’m in my mid-50s, I feel a sense of responsibility to be fighting for all the young women, who face roadblocks to their freedom that weren’t as prevalent as they were in my younger years.

I want to encourage younger women to take charge of decisions being made over their health care. I want them to see the opportunities that are out there to make a difference.

Extremism across the country is exemplified in Michigan. The foundations of our democracy –Republicans refusing to certify the 2020 election, conspiracies, the Big Lie – are under attack.

But extremism isn’t limited to that. We can see it at all levels of government: book bans, attacks on our reproductive rights, a plot to kidnap our governor and more. While abortion is legal in Michigan, women deserve better than to worry that if they have an appointment for an abortion on Friday, will it be banned on Thursday?

It’s ironic that the “my body, my choice” mentality of having to wear masks came from so many of the same people want to take away abortion as a choice. It’s illogical and inconsistent. If you didn’t wear a mask, you could give me COVID-19. What does it do to you if I make a choice about having an abortion? How does that affect you? And let’s take it a step further. I’m all for the Second Amendment, but explain to me why you need that AR-15? If you’re going to regulate my uterus, then I can demand we regulate a gun as destructive as that.

We all can do things to help a cause without necessarily being vocal but women can’t do it all by ourselves. We do need more men – of all ages – to stand up and join this groundswell of women supporting the ideals behind Red, Wine and Blue. And we need it now, in 2022.

Because in 2024, it could be scary. I don’t want to look too far ahead just yet, but we have to do something now so we don’t lose what we have. We can’t take this for granted. This election is about democracy: chaos versus common sense. It’s about extremism vs. just being a mainstream mom; just being an American.