The annulment of the judgment in Roe v. Wade by Supreme Court allows US states to ban abortion. But the attack on fundamental rights could go further, says Boris Vejdovsky, a specialist in American culture and a lecturer and researcher at the Department of English Studies at the University of Lausanne. He sees the right to contraception, marriage for all and equal rights for homosexuals in danger in the USA.
Blick: What did the annulment of the Roe v. Wade causes?
Boris Vejdovsky: Let’s start from the beginning. The decision of the US Supreme Court dates back to 1973. At that time it was decided by seven votes to two that women have the right to decide for themselves whether to terminate a pregnancy. The decision did not trigger a major debate at the time.
How has that changed?
In 1973 only evangelicals were bothered by the decision. For years this ideological movement was a fringe phenomenon. Then her ascent began. Little by little, right-wing conservative US politicians have come closer to the ideology of these churches.
Why?
Because they are an instrument of power, particularly in the southern states and rural areas where Republicans have and must maintain their centers of power.
Western Swiss America specialist
Boris Vejdovsky (61) is a specialist in American culture and literature. He is a lecturer and researcher at the Institute for English Studies at the University of Lausanne.
Boris Vejdovsky (61) is a specialist in American culture and literature. He is a lecturer and researcher at the Institute for English Studies at the University of Lausanne.
And who are the victims of this development?
The victims are women, from low social classes and ethnic minorities. Laws banning abortion are one way to control these populations. Controlling the reproduction of women, groups, clans, tribes and nations has always been a political issue. Take Mao’s one-child policy in China, Napoleon’s birth control policy in France, etc.
You’re saying Republicans want to control part of the population to stay in power?
Control the sexuality of men and women and you will control the world. Every authoritarian state tries to do that.
The Supreme Court decision bears the signature of Donald Trump. During his tenure, he appointed three very conservative judges who are now swinging the pendulum to the right on socio-political issues.
Yes, and that is worrying. All civil rights in the United States were once achieved through Supreme Court decisions: Loving v. Virginia in 1967, which made interracial marriage legal. Or the judgment of Lawrence v. Texas in 2003, which repealed so-called “anti-sodomy” laws that said homosexuality was “unnatural.” Supreme Court decisions govern the right to life, autonomy, and liberty, and ultimately decide who holds power.
What do you mean by that?
The repeal of Roe v. Wade robs women of some of their freedoms, some of their autonomy, and therefore of their power. It is the first time in recent US history that a population has had its constitutional rights revoked.
Do we have to fear that more so-called progressive judgments will be overturned?
In any case. If things go wrong, this could only have been the beginning.
What should we expect?
If Republicans win the midterm elections in November, which is likely, they may seek a federal ban on abortion.
Beyond the right to abortion, what other freedoms are at risk?
Clarence Thomas, the most conservative Supreme Court Justice, says sexual rights, including the right to contraception and so on, need to be reviewed.
In plain language: The dam has broken.
Yes. Gay, transgender and black people are no longer safe. One could question their rights, starting with marriage for all. Homosexuality could also become illegal in the USA.
Conservative circles disagree: they blame the Woke movement for the division of society.
There is a complete reversal of reality. Conservatives attack minorities in the name of freedom. They force people to choose sides, divide society. And portray the Wokes — minority rights advocates — as extremists bent on undermining American values, attacking freedom of speech and the very foundations of the world.
Is there a similar struggle in Switzerland?
The right also takes up the issue here. They say, “You’re nice if you want to talk about minority self-determination and gender-neutral toilets, but the real problem is gas prices!”