News Analysis India

Tag: Roe v. Wade

  • Nonprofit’s work ‘far more important’ after Roe: Jane Fonda

    By Associated Press

    ATLANTA: Jane Fonda says the work of the Georgia-based nonprofit organization she founded to prevent teenage pregnancies has become “far more important” in the months since the US Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade and the constitutional right to abortion it guaranteed to women in the United States.

    The activist and Oscar winner have been an outspoken critic of the court’s decision, previously calling it “unconscionable.”

    While a post-Roe world will be harder on girls because they are the ones who would have to carry a baby, the work to fight teen pregnancy must also focus on adolescent boys, said Fonda, who was in Atlanta for a fundraiser Thursday to celebrate the 27th anniversary of the Georgia Campaign for Adolescent Power & Potential.

    “We have to help our boys understand that they don’t have to get a girl pregnant to be men, that being a real man means taking care of yourself, respecting your body and the body of your partner,” Fonda said.

    “Things are much, much harder for boys and girls now and, so, teaching them skills around their reproductive health, how to stay healthy, how to stay pregnancy-free, how to say no, how to have agency over their body, these things are more important than ever.”

    Fonda, 84, founded the Georgia Campaign for Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention in 1995 when she lived in Atlanta and when Georgia had the highest teenage birth rate in the United States.

    In 2012, the organization changed its name and expanded its mission beyond teenage pregnancy prevention to include nutrition and physical activity. The group says its programs now reach more than 60,000 young people every year.

    ALSO READ | Jane Fonda says she has cancer, is dealing well with chemo

    “We have to educate them about how their bodies work so that they will know how to protect themselves,” Fonda said. “We have to help young people see that they have a future that will be productive, that they can work for – towards, that they can reach towards – and getting in trouble when they’re a teenager and having a baby when you’re very young will make reaching for that future that much harder.”

    According to the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention, the birth rate for 15- to 19-year-olds in the United States in 2020 was down 8 per cent from the previous year and down 75 per cent from its peak in 1991.

    Arkansas, Mississippi and Louisiana have the highest teenage birth rates in the U.S. Birth rates also remain higher among Native American, Hispanic and Black teenagers.

    Fonda served as GCAPP’s chair until she moved from Atlanta to Los Angeles in 2010.

    ATLANTA: Jane Fonda says the work of the Georgia-based nonprofit organization she founded to prevent teenage pregnancies has become “far more important” in the months since the US Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade and the constitutional right to abortion it guaranteed to women in the United States.

    The activist and Oscar winner have been an outspoken critic of the court’s decision, previously calling it “unconscionable.”

    While a post-Roe world will be harder on girls because they are the ones who would have to carry a baby, the work to fight teen pregnancy must also focus on adolescent boys, said Fonda, who was in Atlanta for a fundraiser Thursday to celebrate the 27th anniversary of the Georgia Campaign for Adolescent Power & Potential.

    “We have to help our boys understand that they don’t have to get a girl pregnant to be men, that being a real man means taking care of yourself, respecting your body and the body of your partner,” Fonda said.

    “Things are much, much harder for boys and girls now and, so, teaching them skills around their reproductive health, how to stay healthy, how to stay pregnancy-free, how to say no, how to have agency over their body, these things are more important than ever.”

    Fonda, 84, founded the Georgia Campaign for Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention in 1995 when she lived in Atlanta and when Georgia had the highest teenage birth rate in the United States.

    In 2012, the organization changed its name and expanded its mission beyond teenage pregnancy prevention to include nutrition and physical activity. The group says its programs now reach more than 60,000 young people every year.

    ALSO READ | Jane Fonda says she has cancer, is dealing well with chemo

    “We have to educate them about how their bodies work so that they will know how to protect themselves,” Fonda said. “We have to help young people see that they have a future that will be productive, that they can work for – towards, that they can reach towards – and getting in trouble when they’re a teenager and having a baby when you’re very young will make reaching for that future that much harder.”

    According to the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention, the birth rate for 15- to 19-year-olds in the United States in 2020 was down 8 per cent from the previous year and down 75 per cent from its peak in 1991.

    Arkansas, Mississippi and Louisiana have the highest teenage birth rates in the U.S. Birth rates also remain higher among Native American, Hispanic and Black teenagers.

    Fonda served as GCAPP’s chair until she moved from Atlanta to Los Angeles in 2010.

  • Glastonbury closes with Kendrick Lamar chanting “Godspeed for women’s rights”

    By Online Desk

    Glastonbury closed with the US rapper and songwriter Kendrick Lamar chanting “Godspeed for women’s rights.”

    At the end of his set while he was performing “Savior,” he chanted “Godspeed for women’s rights; they judge you, they judge Christ” repeatedly in reaction to the Supreme Court’s overturning of Roe v. Wade. He also did a handful of tracks from his most recent album Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers, including “N95,” “Silent Hill,” and the aforementioned “Savior,” according to Stereogum music blog.

    “Godspeed for women’s rights”@kendricklamar pic.twitter.com/JJjCcRPGMe
    — KENDRICK LAMAR BIBLE (@dakendrickbible) June 26, 2022
    “Glastonbury closed with rapper Kendrick Lamar making a dramatic statement apparently referencing the US Supreme Court ruling on abortion, wearing a crown of thorns as fake blood poured from his face,”Sky News reports.

    Lamar is known to be a Christian and indicated before his final track began that the crown of thorns represented Christ.

    “I wear this crown. They judged Christ. They judge you, they judge Christ,” he said, before launching into the number.

    The crown was reportedly made by Tiffany and Co and features 8,000 diamonds, according to British Vogue.

    He continued the chant of “they judge you, they judge Christ” at the end, intermingling it with “Godspeed for women’s rights”, before he suddenly left the stage, leaving his dancers behind, Sky News added.

  • BET Awards: Stars use stage to criticize Roe v. Wade ruling

    By Associated Press

    LOS ANGELES: Taraji P. Henson, Janelle Monae and Jazmine Sullivan were some of the big stars using the BET Awards stage to strongly criticize the Supreme Court’s recent decision to strip away women’s constitutional protection for abortion.

    Henson took the stage as the show’s host on Sunday with an uplifting message about “Black excellence” before she launched into the court’s overturning of the landmark Roe v. Wade ruling last week. The actor took the stage after Lizzo opened the show with a flute solo in a glittery-gold outfit performing her single “About Damn Time.”

    “It’s about damn time we talk about the fact that guns have more rights than a woman. It’s a sad day in America,” said Henson, thanking Lizzo who along with Live Nation recently donated $1 million in tour proceeds to Planned Parenthood. “A weapon that can take lives has more power than a woman that can give life – if she chooses to.”

    Janelle Monae (Photo | AP)_Janelle Monae held up her middle finger toward the Supreme Court before she introduced nominees for best female R&B/pop artist. Her speech earned standing applause at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles.

    “These artists are making art on our own terms, owning our truths and expressing ourselves freely and unapologetically in a world that tries to control and police our bodies, my body and our decisions, my body,” said the singer, who also paid homage to the LGBTQ+ community. “(Explicit) you Supreme Court. I know we’re celebrating right now as we should. We absolutely deserve to celebrate — especially now we should celebrate our art by protecting our rights and our truths,” she added.

    Jazmine Sullivan (Photo| AP)Afterwards, Monae introduced Sullivan as the category’s winner — who made a plea to men for their support of women.

    Sullivan said, “It’s a hard time for us. I want to speak directly to the men: We need y’all. We need y’all to stand up, stand up for us, stand up with us. If you’ve ever benefitted from a woman making one of the toughest decisions of her life, which is to terminate a pregnancy, you need to be standing. This is not just a woman issue. This is everybody’s issue. We need your support more than ever.”

    Latto gave an emotional speech after she won best new artist. “It’s giving pro-choice,” said the rapper, who later performed her smash hit “Big Energy” with Mariah Carey. “It’s never giving a man policing my body.”

    Singer Tems dedicated her best international act award to the many women who “dare to dream.”

    “Where I’m from, things like this don’t happen,” said the Lagos, Nigeria-born singer who won the best collaboration with Justin Bieber and Wizkid for their song ‘Essence.’ This is a dream. If you’re watching me, I want you to imagine yourself as me because you are meant to be here too.”

    VIEW GALLERY: ‘Huge blow to women’s rights’: Leaders, celebs condemn US Supreme Court’s abortion ruling

    Doja Cat entered the show as the leading nominee with six. The chart-topping performer is up for best female R&B-pop artist, best female hip-hop artist, an album of the year for her No. 1 hit “Planet Her” and BET Her for “Woman.” Her “Kiss Me More” with SZA is nominated for video of the year and best collaboration.

    Sean “Diddy” Combs will receive the Lifetime Achievement Award — one of the highest honours at the ceremony. The music mogul is the founder of Bad Boy Records, has his own television network, and fashion line and is a three-time Grammy winner who has worked with a slew of top-tier artists including Notorious B.I.G., Mary J. Blige, Usher, Lil Kim, Faith Evans and 112.

    Drake and Ari Lennox were the second-most nominated acts, scoring four nods each. Three nominations went to several others including Baby Keem, Silk Sonic, Chloe Bailey, Future, H.E.R., Jazmine Sullivan, Ye (formerly known as Kanye West), Kendrick Lamar, Lil Baby, Mary J. Blige and Tems.

    Jack Harlow (left) and Brandy(Photo | AP)Jack Harlow performed “Poison” alongside Lil Wayne before Brandy hit the stage with him for his hit “First Class.” While Harlow and Brandy performed, the camera turned to her brother, Ray J, who was seen dancing in the audience.

    Chance the Rapper and Joey Bada$$ performed “The Highs & the Lows.” In her pink gown, Muni Long opened her set with a snippet of “Time Machine” before her jam “Hrs & Hrs.”

  • BET Awards: Stars use stage to strongly criticize Roe v. Wade ruling

    By Associated Press

    LOS ANGELES: Taraji P. Henson, Janelle Monae and Jazmine Sullivan were some of the big stars using the BET Awards stage to strongly criticize the Supreme Court’s recent decision to strip away women’s constitutional protection for abortion.

    Henson took the stage as the show’s host on Sunday with an uplifting message about “Black excellence” before she launched into the court’s overturning of the landmark Roe v. Wade ruling last week. The actor took the stage after Lizzo opened the show with a flute solo in a glittery-gold outfit performing her single “About Damn Time.”

    “It’s about damn time we talk about the fact that guns have more rights than a woman. It’s a sad day in America,” said Henson, thanking Lizzo who along with Live Nation recently donated $1 million in tour proceeds to Planned Parenthood. “A weapon that can take lives has more power than a woman that can give life – if she chooses to.”

    Janelle Monae (Photo | AP)_Janelle Monae held up her middle finger toward the Supreme Court before she introduced nominees for best female R&B/pop artist. Her speech earned standing applause at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles.

    “These artists are making art on our own terms, owning our truths and expressing ourselves freely and unapologetically in a world that tries to control and police our bodies, my body and our decisions, my body,” said the singer, who also paid homage to the LGBTQ+ community. “(Explicit) you Supreme Court. I know we’re celebrating right now as we should. We absolutely deserve to celebrate — especially now we should celebrate our art by protecting our rights and our truths,” she added.

    Jazmine Sullivan (Photo| AP)Afterwards, Monae introduced Sullivan as the category’s winner — who made a plea to men for their support of women.

    Sullivan said, “It’s a hard time for us. I want to speak directly to the men: We need y’all. We need y’all to stand up, stand up for us, stand up with us. If you’ve ever benefitted from a woman making one of the toughest decisions of her life, which is to terminate a pregnancy, you need to be standing. This is not just a woman issue. This is everybody’s issue. We need your support more than ever.”

    Latto gave an emotional speech after she won best new artist. “It’s giving pro-choice,” said the rapper, who later performed her smash hit “Big Energy” with Mariah Carey. “It’s never giving a man policing my body.”

    Singer Tems dedicated her best international act award to the many women who “dare to dream.”

    “Where I’m from, things like this don’t happen,” said the Lagos, Nigeria-born singer who won the best collaboration with Justin Bieber and Wizkid for their song ‘Essence.’ This is a dream. If you’re watching me, I want you to imagine yourself as me because you are meant to be here too.”

    VIEW GALLERY: ‘Huge blow to women’s rights’: Leaders, celebs condemn US Supreme Court’s abortion ruling

    Doja Cat entered the show as the leading nominee with six. The chart-topping performer is up for best female R&B-pop artist, best female hip-hop artist, an album of the year for her No. 1 hit “Planet Her” and BET Her for “Woman.” Her “Kiss Me More” with SZA is nominated for video of the year and best collaboration.

    Sean “Diddy” Combs will receive the Lifetime Achievement Award — one of the highest honours at the ceremony. The music mogul is the founder of Bad Boy Records, has his own television network, and fashion line and is a three-time Grammy winner who has worked with a slew of top-tier artists including Notorious B.I.G., Mary J. Blige, Usher, Lil Kim, Faith Evans and 112.

    Drake and Ari Lennox were the second-most nominated acts, scoring four nods each. Three nominations went to several others including Baby Keem, Silk Sonic, Chloe Bailey, Future, H.E.R., Jazmine Sullivan, Ye (formerly known as Kanye West), Kendrick Lamar, Lil Baby, Mary J. Blige and Tems.

    Jack Harlow (left) and Brandy(Photo | AP)Jack Harlow performed “Poison” alongside Lil Wayne before Brandy hit the stage with him for his hit “First Class.” While Harlow and Brandy performed, the camera turned to her brother, Ray J, who was seen dancing in the audience.

    Chance the Rapper and Joey Bada$$ performed “The Highs & the Lows.” In her pink gown, Muni Long opened her set with a snippet of “Time Machine” before her jam “Hrs & Hrs.”