My biggest fear is that in red states, people will simply pat themselves on the back, say “job well done,” and go home.

Why do I think this? I’m not naturally pessimistic, but here’s the deal, I am a realist.

And if Roe is overturned, the decision to legalize abortion will simply be returned to the states. Red states will likely restrict all abortions beyond a certain (early) point and blue states will go balls to the wall with open access throughout all 9 months. When that happens I think people will keep marching in blue states. Resources, help, & volunteers will flock there first as well . . . they will become the new “battleground states” for one issue voters with the money, privilege, and ability to travel to them. But the other states, well . . . what will happen in the other states?

Three years ago, I had a pregnant woman contact me from a dusty border town. She felt like abortion was her only true “choice.” In order to not terminate, she needed quite a bit of help and government and/or charitable services.

I get this type of call all the time, so I immediately jumped into action. But when I typed in her town, I couldn’t find anything.

Like, literally, nothing.

The only other time I’ve ever had this happen was when I was trying to assist a pregnant woman in Zimbabwe.

But here? In the states? Never.

Yet there I was.

Finally, I found someone in our network who knew someone who used to do activism in that area. I got ahold of the person and she explained that they used to have a really active prolife community down there. I was excited to hear what help they could offer this woman! But then she continued to tell me about the local activists. A Planned Parenthood has opened in their small town and they weren’t having it. They organized, raised money, protested, countered their efforts and helped numerous women along the way, until one day  they finally put the Planned Parenthood out of business. The abortion provider closed and their activism suddenly dried up. They simply felt they didn’t have a reason to exist anymore.

Here’s the deal, pro-lifers are great on the defense. But once there’s not an enemy to battle . . . a Goliath-sized abortion industry to rage against . . . well, some “activists” simply pat themselves on the back and go home. At least that’s what happened in this instance.

Did women quit experiencing unintended pregnancies in this region? Obviously not. They still needed the help, the resources, the mentoring, and the community, but unfortunately that wasn’t enough motivation to keep the work going here. And I am truly terrified that this is what’s about to happen on a larger, nationwide scale if and when Roe is overturned. And in 2022, no less, when women can easily access abortion pills from other states if they truly want to end their pregnancies because they are just. that. freaking. desperate. to not be pregnant.

We cut off supply, but completely ignore the demand.

It’s time that we focus 100% on the demand. What is driving women to abortion? Heck, what’s preventing them from having the body literacy to avoid pregnancy in the first place? That’s where our work must pivot.

It’s so incredibly far from over. It’s just beginning. And I’m terrified that a lot of prolife people simply don’t get that.

So please prove me wrong on this one. For the love of women . . . please . . . prove me wrong.