CSU
Long Beach students react to abortion
law
By
Joseph Serna
Daily Forty-Niner
Assistant City Editor
South Dakota’s law banning almost all abortions received mixed reactions
from Cal State Long Beach faculty and students Tuesday, with a majority opposing
the law, but with at least one student wishing the law went further.
“
I believe a life is a life,” said Christian Quiambao, a graphic design
student.
The South Dakota law makes it a crime for a doctor to perform an abortion in
all cases, including rape and incest, unless to save the woman’s life.
A doctor can receive up to five years in prison for breaking the law.
“
It’s a really hard position for me to take as a guy,” Quiambao
said, acknowledging he will never have to make that choice for his own body.
“
But you shouldn’t destroy a life [because] of a person’s choice.”
He said even in cases of rape and incest, an abortion should be illegal. He
considers a man’s choice to rape a woman still technically someone’s
choice, and not justifiable for an abortion.
“
I’m always for the life of a baby over choices to be made,” Quiambao
said. “I don’t think we should punish the baby for anything.”
“
I never thought that I’d see the day that [Roe v. Wade] would be challenged.
I was so naive,” said Jennifer Reed, a women’s studies professor.
“
I think it’s really horrific, almost like a science-fiction story.”
Other states are expected to pass similar laws, with the recent surge coming
in the wake of two conservative judges being confirmed to the Supreme Court.
The new judges are expected to give the bench a 5-4 slant to the right, opening
up the possibility of overturning the landmark decision.
“
I think it is kind of unfair,” said Shawn Bates, a psychology student. “I
don’t think they should take away a woman’s right to choose.”
He does not see the law lasting that long, or making it to the U.S. Supreme
Court.
“
I think [the law] is dumb, especially if a woman is desperate enough,” said
Emily Daubenmire, a theater arts and English major.
She said that no matter the law, if a woman feels she needs to have an abortion,
she will find a way to have it done. At least if it isn’t against the
law, a professional can perform it as safely as possible, she said.
“
I agree with the law, honestly,” said Jennifer Guzman, a psychology student.
She finds fault that the law does not outline specifics to abortion or at least
are not emphasized by the media reporting it.
Guzman acknowledges that her opinion is religious based, and she only detracts
from that when it comes to the safety of the woman. She agrees with saving
the mother’s life as being the only exception to a pro-life stance.
“
Yeah, it’s immoral to abort a baby, but if they have other circumstances
around [then it may be ok],” said Gerardo Hernandez, a biology student. “This
is supposed to be the land of the free, so why are they taking away options?”
Hernandez and Guzman think abortion should be a last option, instead hoping
mothers-to-be will opt for abortion alternatives such as adoption, or anonymously
dropping off a newborn at a hospital.
“
I cried when I found out about [the law]. I couldn’t believe it,” said
Elizabeth Recharte, a women’s studies student. “It’s completely
disempowering.”
|
