Inching Toward Dystopia

As the summer tides ease into fall, there is an apparent shift in our climate. However, the most drastic change this season was a political one. So, for those who wander this world clueless to the political realm that dictates what may or may not be our inalienable, human, “God-given” right. We are here for you. 

Let’s talk Texas. 

Opting for a seat in the back, the Supreme Court made no move against the new Texas Bill that bans abortion after six weeks. The bill aligns with the far-right beliefs and directly opposes the historical win of Roe v. Wade (1973). Texas has legally banned abortion after the six-week mark. The absurdity of this ban is that women are rarely aware of a pregnancy before this date, making abortion almost entirely illegal. To make matters worse, the law makes zero exceptions for cases involving rape or incest. 

Roe v. Wade provided common health care for women, but more importantly, the freedom of choice. Women’s autonomy is a considerably new concept in the modern era and thereby held to the highest esteem. The backlash toward “my body, my choice” and other empowering movements can only be explained by the notion that men are incredibly intimidated by women with power. Female power being individual freedom, imagine that. 

Women abandoned the sexist stereotypes that dictated their world and took ownership of their lives. Unfortunately, women continue to suffer the consequences of ego-driven social constructs. For example, female chefs continue to face extreme criticism in the male-dominated culinary world. If women truly belonged in the kitchen, wouldn’t the roles be reversed? Probably, but not when gender roles were curated out of convenience for men who wanted power. 

This is not just a shoot. It’s the truth. Women routinely battle misogyny, basing decisions upon how men will react. Not in the context of appearance but in the context of safety. 

Why do women travel in packs? For security. To have each other’s backs. 

I don’t wish to criticize individual men; I wish to criticize a system orchestrated by the collective white man. Women and men alike are raised in a society that implements the internalization of misogyny, which is further depicted by the media and pop culture that infiltrates nearly every facet of our society.  

What happened in Texas is unacceptable. Kamala Harris stands with The Justice Department, saying, “this law is patently unconstitutional.” Women have striven for success against the adversity imposed by a patriarchal society. The Texas ban attacks not only the rights of women but the progress of a nation. 

We don’t want the fall of progress

We want the fall of the patriarchy

Strike Out,

Writer: Karina McCarthy

Editor: Lexi Fernandez

Concept, Digital Onsite, Photographer: Lily Fox

Assisted by: Sarah Anthony

Models: Karina McCarthy & Gabby Grodman

Tallahassee