Why More Women Should Talk About Their Abortions & Miscarriages
“I feel like me talking to her, it helps me through the process because it feels good to be able to have somebody feel what you feel." – Evelyn Lozada on the loss of her third child
As a writer and blogger of six years, I'm often asked what is the strongest piece of work I've ever produced. While the answer comes easy, piecing together my experience as a woman who chose to have an abortion was the most difficult thing I've ever done, even outside of writing. I wrote about it and it took days to come to terms with, days to come to a place where I was okay with putting that out there for the world to read. I know I'll never create something like that again and since August 31, 2014, I have not gone back to that space on my personal blog to read it, revise it, or relive it. I wrote about it for closure. I wrote about it because someone needed to know that they weren't alone. I wrote about it because silencing my own ordeal ate away at me at night as I lied across from a journal that hid and safeguarded the only sonogram that I had of that pregnancy. I wrote about it because I was counting down the days to a due date I wouldn't see. I wrote about it because I had to, and I thanked God for the women who read about February 25th and left me messages of comfort and encouragement and shared their 'me too' moments.
While some may say that I "shouted" my abortion out when I chose to disclose my experience, it's something that my partner and I have talked about only twice since. The guilt in wanting to bring another child in this world that we couldn't financially support outweighed religion and the opinions of family. The decision was something that will forever remain with us, and that moment serves as an elephant in the room when discussing future goals to expand our family–but I don't regret it.
Statistics show most women actually do not regret their decisions, in this myth v. reality rundown on abortions, so why can't we openly talk about it? Outspoken and opinionated rapper Azealia Banks recently delved into the topic of abortions on Twitter and caught heat for her views as well, when she kicked off her hot-topic tweets with a "pro-choice" disclaimer.
It's a constant war waged on women's bodies. When one of our straddles the fence, claiming to be pro-choice, but later places limitations on our reproductive systems, it's difficult to speak out openly about our experiences. The amount of judgment prevents many of us from doing so, thus maintaining a culture of women remaining numb. But when speaking out about our bodies, the conversation isn't just restricted to voluntary abortions, but also spontaneous loss, or miscarriages.
We need more women to speak out because the absence of our realities means that we are ashamed of our truths. Which is why I'm proud to see so many celebrities and women with platforms talk about their experiences. Like television personality and fiance to former LA Dodger Carl Crawford, Evelyn Lozada who once spilled the deets about her miscarriages on an episode of Basketball Wives.
Tamar Braxton revealed that she and her husband Vince had a miscarriage a while back during an episode of Braxton Family Values.
Naya Rivera also revealed she had an abortion while she was on the hit show Glee (before dating Big Sean). She'd just broken up with her now husband Ryan Dorsey to focus on her career and weeks later she found out she was pregnant.
“It's not something a lot of people talk about, but I think they should. I know some people might read it and say, 'What the Hell?' But I hope someone out there gets something out of it."
[Tweet "It's not something a lot of people talk about, but I think they should"]
Years later Naya and Dorsey have an adorable son together. She said that her purpose in revealing her abortion is so that her son can know the struggles women go through when he becomes old enough to understand what it all means.
Related Post: Surprise! Naya Rivera Is Married And It's Not To Big Sean
Maya Dusenbery of Feministing.com said it best, “I find myself thinking less about the political power in talking about our abortions and more about just what an enormous loss it is that we so often don't."
While Amelia Bonow, Lindy West and Kimberly Morrison aren't aware of my story, they have been in my shoes, with the women creating and jumpstarting the powerful #ShoutYourAbortion conversation. The hashtag has been tweeted close to 150,000 times since its inception two weeks ago, after the House of Representatives voted 241-187 to suspend federal funding for Planned Parenthood. Bonow has gone on to speak to Jezebel about where the movement stemmed from.
“Ending my own social media silence about my abortion happened on a whim...I had never just gone off about my abortion via social media the way I regularly go off about white supremacy, casual drug use, being terrified that the world is ending, period stains—you know, things that most people are afraid to talk about. Why was I afraid of talking about abortion this way? I guess I realized that I was NOT afraid to talk about it publicly; I just hadn't done it yet. The stigma surrounding abortion is based in misogynistic garbage thinking and hillbilly science and someone else's version of morality, so why should someone who knows so much better and has certain levels of privilege—my whiteness, my community, and my pregnancy being the product of consensual sex, to name a few—collude with my own silence? It is not breaking news that the anti-choice movement and conservatives in general rely on silence and shame to control and disempower women. SYA (Shout Your Abortion) has just kicked the patriarchy in the dick."
And I applauded it. I went on a hashtag searching spree to read the 140-character narratives of my peers and their why's, and found women who “are not sorry, and will not whisper," as well as, some of these notable tweets from women around the world:
One of my earliest memories of hearing about miscarriages came from hearing Whitney Houston open up when speaking to Barbara Walters in a 1993 interview. As a child, I didn't know the specifics about her miscarriage, much less, know what a miscarriage was until I was a teenager, but in revisiting that clip, I got chills. In speaking of someone “outing" her experience while filming TheBodyguard, Houston said, “It was painful, emotionally and physically. It was something that I would have liked to have said myself, but they didn't give me the opportunity. I was back on the set the next day, but it was over."[Tweet "Our stories aren't to be told unless someone else is telling it on our behalf."]
Our bodies aren't to be talked about unless patriarchy governs it. That is problematic.
When Evelyn Lozada opted into publicizing her personal account of miscarrying on the debut episode of Livin' Lozada, her moment of vulnerability garnered respect from me. Viewing Evelyn as someone other than the feisty Latina who was known solely for turning up on television, but a woman and a mother like myself, changed my perspective of her. To expose and shed light on that juncture wasn't about “attention," but awareness. We aren't alone in our experiences, although most times, the things we undergo feel like we are. It's in the absence of our accounts that aid in many of us feeling like we're the only ones. I both cringed and cried watching those episodes and witnessing her pain, and felt disgusted at the women who proclaimed Lozada was doing it for money and for show.
Whether you have had an abortion or suffered a miscarriage, electing to be honest about that point in time calls for solidarity and understanding. Sure, it'll make you 'feel a way' and the conversation is ultimately an uncomfortable one, but the discourse has to happen. When we talk about the taboo and begin to comprehend the emotions these experiences evoke from us, the fear and the stigma removes itself, and the power in our narratives are brought to light. This is why more women need to talk about their abortions and miscarriages.
From Oprah, to Beyoncé, to Wendy Williams, the need to speak on these moments of their lives matter. Williams, who has often vocalized her miscarriages on her hit talk show in the past, has once again chose to talk about both incidents on PBS' American Masters: The Women's List. On the documentary series, Williams says,
“I fought tooth and nail to be a mother...I suffered several miscarriages including two at five months. That's when you have the clothes already picked out, the nursery is already painted. They ask you do you want a funeral or do you want the cremation...We went through that not once but twice, me and my husband. So our Kevin is a hard-won child. I would've loved to have had more children, but I don't want to test my blessing. Being a mother is for me. It's not for everybody. It's for me."
And motherhood isn't for everyone. I have a group of girlfriends who have decided they will not have children and have been faced with being called 'less of a woman' because of this choice. I have close friends who have been sexually assaulted and could not fathom carrying their rapist's child, especially when the decision to be a mother was not theirs. Abortion, for them, was their only option. For me, I already know the joys of being a mother, but adding to my family at a time when things were falling apart, wasn't ideal. I am not alone in this, as 61% of women who have had abortions were already mothers, with 34% having already conceived two or more children. I know women who have experienced loss in their wombs and some who have delivered stillborn infants. When there are 24,000 reported stillbirths, an estimated one million miscarriages, and 730,300 legally induced abortions in the United States alone, why wouldn't we talk about this?
While that moment brings back a feeling of loneliness, I'll never forget the words of encouragement from other women that were in my shoes. I'll even remember the silence from close friends. But what I'll hold on to forever is that liberating feeling that I told my story and I didn't feel an ounce of shame about it.
What are your thoughts on more women speaking out on their bodies, abortions, or miscarriages? Is it something that we should keep to ourselves or is there importance in sharing these stories? Weigh in below!
ItGirl 100 Honors Black Women Who Create Culture & Put On For Their Cities
As they say, create the change you want to see in this world, besties. That’s why xoNecole linked up with Hyundai for the inaugural ItGirl 100 List, a celebration of 100 Genzennial women who aren’t afraid to pull up their own seats to the table. Across regions and industries, these women embody the essence of discovering self-value through purpose, honey! They're fierce, they’re ultra-creative, and we know they make their cities proud.
VIEW THE FULL ITGIRL 100 LIST HERE.
Don’t forget to also check out the ItGirl Directory, featuring 50 Black-woman-owned marketing and branding agencies, photographers and videographers, publicists, and more.
THE ITGIRL MEMO
I. An ItGirl puts on for her city and masters her self-worth through purpose.
II. An ItGirl celebrates all the things that make her unique.
III. An ItGirl empowers others to become the best versions of themselves.
IV. An ItGirl leads by example, inspiring others through her actions and integrity.
V. An ItGirl paves the way for authenticity and diversity in all aspects of life.
VI. An ItGirl uses the power of her voice to advocate for positive change in the world.
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Do You Want To Be A Wife? Or Do You Just Want To Have A Wedding?
Even though it’s my life, sometimes I look at it and totally trip out over certain things.
For instance, even though I am aware that both Hebrew and African cultures put a lot of stock in the name of a child (because they believe it speaks to their purpose; so do I) and I know that my name is pretty much Hebrew for divine covenant, it’s still wild that in a couple of years, I will have been working with married couples for a whopping two decades — and boy, is it an honor when they will say something like, “Shellie, we’ve seen [professionally] multiple people and no one has been nearly as effective as you have been.”
Yep, me. Little ole’ never-been-married-before me. Yeah, y’all better quit letting people tell you what you’re called to do in this world. That is between you and the One who made you.
Okay, but let me stay on track. When it comes to the engaged couples specifically, who have crossed my path, something that I believe I’ve said to each and every one of them (especially the bride-to-be) is — “You better enjoy every single minute of your wedding day because you deserve a big ‘ole party for all of the work that you’re about to do.” And then I look at the woman as intensely as I can and say, “And you? Remember, you are a bride for a day. You are a wife for the rest of your life.”
Why do I emphasize that point so much? It’s because those two things are not one and the same. Hmph. Let me tell it, a huge reason why 70 percent of divorces are initiated by women, however, is because a lot of them think that it is. And so, in the effort to do my part to help make marriages last longer and cause the divorce rate to go down, I think it’s important for more women to ponder if they really want to be a wife — or if they just want to throw a big party (a wedding), go on a trip (a honeymoon) and not much more than that.
Buckle in. This one might be a bit of a ride (for some, at least).
It’s Time to Stop “Living for the Fairy Tale”
GiphyIf you’ve been reading my content for a while (and if so, thank you), it will not shock you in the least that I’ve spent many years studying the origins of things as they directly relate to marriage. I know that the engagement ring is not about love but about a jewelry company that was about to go bust. So, they came up with the slogan “A diamond is forever” and then made some serious bank from it (you can read about that here).
I know that white wedding dresses have nothing to do with purity and virtue; in fact, women in the Bible often wore lots of bright colors during their more-than-one-day wedding celebrations. Actually, white comes from Queen Victoria making it famous back in the 1840s. I also know that a lot of people were pretty obsessed with evil spirits back in the day because things like wearing a wedding veil and bridesmaids wearing the same dresses were all about hiding from said spirits. Another pretty popular wedding day tradition? Well, I’ll just let you read Insider’s “Here's the horrifying truth about why grooms carry brides across the threshold,” if you’re interested.
And as far as marriage goes, don’t even get me started on the whole “I’m living for the fairy tale” narrative that gets pushed incessantly. I’ve said in other articles before that "fairy tale" literally means “a story, usually for children, about elves, hobgoblins, dragons, fairies, or other magical creatures” and “an incredible or misleading statement, account, or belief.” Who wants to live for childish stories that are incredibly misleading? And the ones that have a character like Prince Charming in it? The Bible literally says that “charm is deceitful” (Proverbs 31:30).
Know what else the Bible says? It states that death and life are in the power of the tongue (Proverbs 18:21). So, what’s up with all of this wedding/marriage rhetoric that’s so popular and also, so… “silly” is the first word that comes to mind, “unrealistic” is the second and “unnecessary” is the third?
Why are there so many expectations, especially when it comes to the wedding day, that push folks to the point where a whopping 49 percent of couples end up going into debt right after jumping the broom — all because they wanted to live for the fairy tale and throw a big party that they basically couldn’t afford? SMDH.
It really is wild, just how much human nature tends to do things without even really knowing WHY it does it — even when it comes to marriage. And so, if you are someone who desires this type of union, be honest with yourself: what is your “why”?
When it comes to becoming a wife someday, WHY do you want to do that?
A man needing to spend three times his salary on an engagement ring, WHY?
When it comes to having a big traditional wedding, WHY is it necessary?
Marriage is a goal for you (and don’t get me wrong, marriage is a beautiful thing) — WHY is that the case?
When it comes to being married, WHY do you think it will better serve you than your single state?
Motivational speaker Eric Thomas once said, “When you find your ‘why’, you will find a way to make it happen.” And when it comes to something as big (and supposed to be lifetime lasting) as marriage, perhaps a big part of the reason WHY so many of them do not go the distance is because there aren’t enough “why” questions, on the front end, that are asked (which is why you should partake in premarital counseling before your wedding day). Oh, but there should be.
Because saying “why” you want a huge wedding is nothing more than “because I want to” or “why” you chose the man that you did is simply “I love him” — I’ve been doing this couples work thing long enough to assure you that those answers simply aren’t good enough. You need to know what it means to be a wife and why a marriage and a wedding are not the same thing…not by the longest country mile that you can imagine.
What It Means to Be a Wife
GiphyIf you’ve been reading my content for a while now, you know that I’m good for throwing some Scripture in; it’s a part of my foundation and I make no apologies for it. And so, when it comes to what it means to be a wife, the first word that’s used to define it in the Bible is “helpmate” (Genesis 2:18). A helpmate is a companion, a helper and someone who assists another individual — in this case, a husband.
While we’re here, a helper is not helping unless the help is actually needed and it’s good. Lawd, I can’t tell you how many wife clients I’ve had who have totally missed that part. So, what does “good help” look like?
- A good helper ASKS the person they are assisting what they need.
- A good helper does not try to control another person or make them do what they want.
- A good helper gets that needs can shift based on what is transpiring at any given time.
- A good helper makes things easier and less stressful.
- A good helper learns how to master good listening, effective communication, and wise timing.
And yes, in many ways, this is what it means to be a good wife. So, if you are someone who desires marriage, when it comes to what is required to be not just a wife but a GOOD WIFE, how much have you factored helping your man into the dynamic?
Not mothering him. Not bossing him around. Not trying to manipulate him into being a version of a husband that you would prefer. No, how much thought have you put into “Am I equipped to help another person be their best self? Am I ready to be supportive, encouraging, and nurturing? Was it even modeled to me, while growing up, to know what a proper helpmate looks like? Have I realized how much sacrifice goes into that type of role? Am I even selfless enough to be a consistent helper?”
I know this is probably gonna ruffle some feathers yet, you know something that I’m not big on? Women saying that their man should give them the “princess treatment.” Every time I hear that, the first thought that comes to my mind is “Fathers make their daughters princesses while men make their wives a queen” — and little girls are treated differently than grown women. And to that, Proverbs 12:4(NKJV) says, “An excellent wife is the crown of her husband, but she who causes shame is like rottenness in his bones.”
My point? There is a MATURITY that is to come from going from princess to queen. A queen does have more privileges, yet, at the same time, she also has way more responsibility. It’s not about sitting around and being catered to all day long. Queens have work to do — and it’s not always comfortable or pretty. Same thing goes for being a wife.
Y’all, I could go on and on (and on and on and on) about what it means to be a wife in a marriage. For now, I’ll just end this part of the article with, “If you’re not ready to help, each and every day of your relationship, you’re not ready to be a wife.” Plain and simple.
Weddings Are Not Marriages (and Vice Versa)
GiphySo, why do so many people jump brooms (I’m writing this with Black folks in mind first; jumping brooms is for us only), only to turn around and get divorced a few years later? Oh, I could go on and on as well about how a lot of people don’t have much integrity when it comes to the promises that they make. Listen singles, when you’re dating someone, pay very close attention to whether the person you’re seeing keeps their word — and if you do the same.
It makes absolutely no sense to keep letting someone slide when it comes to reneging now, only to act shocked when they do the same thing after saying “I do.” And while we’re here, being a man or woman of your word is a character issue. Maybe folks are not strong in character when it comes to this.
Yet another reason why folks will get all dolled up, stand before God, family, and friends, look someone straight in the eye, and promise to never leave, only to do just that, is because many people honestly don’t see past their wedding (and maybe their newlywed years). That is why you will hear so many people describe their perfect wedding day, down to the last detail, and yet, if you ask what their five-year plan for their marriage is, they have absolutely not one clue.
I mean, I get it — to a certain extent. A wedding is a big party where you get to dress to the nines, have people come to celebrate you and you get to have everything go your way — down to the font on the programs and reception napkins. Oh, but what a “trick” that can be if you think that your marriage is going to move like that, all of the time, moving forward. I liken it to The Bachelor franchise. Who wouldn’t feel like they are falling for someone when they’re able to live in a mansion with no bills, have fantasy dates that cost thousands of dollars, and a big ole’ rock that a famed jeweler donates?
Meanwhile, folks should watchUnREAL (the television series from several years back where some former producers of the franchise talk about what really happens behind the scenes) to get a reality check. To a certain extent, the same thing goes for marriage: while weddings produce this belief that marriage will be one big party where everyone focuses on you and everything goes your way, that isn’t even close to being the reality of being married.
Honestly, the real deal is 1) if you don’t want to learn how to love on a supernatural level; 2) if you don’t want your strengths to be refined and your weaknesses to be challenged; 3) if you don’t want to be held accountable in ways that you would never be if you remained single; 4) if you don’t want to compromise on a daily basis and, 5) if you don’t want to be challenged to become a truly selfless individual — marriage isn’t for you.
You’d be far better off just throwing a big ass party for yourself, just because (and no, I don’t mean marry yourself; you are already “one” with you; no need for that), and call it a day. Spare yourself and another person the heartache of divorce because…divorce is A LOT to go through.
Lawd, I can only imagine how much drama could be spared if folks simply took into their spirit that weddings ARE NOT marriages and marriages ARE NOT weddings. Weddings are a party to celebrate your union — yet your union? That requires daily energy, effort, and time. It’s not a party. It’s a relationship. BIG DIFFERENCE.
Please Don’t Get Married Until You’re Sure That You Want…BOTH
GiphyAnd this is why, whenever someone tells me that they are going to get married, I don’t immediately respond with, “Congrats! That’s awesome.” NOPE. The very first thing that comes out of my mouth is something along the lines of, “For real. Why?” WHY? Because, it never fails that, about 7.5 times outta 10, folks will be caught off guard and say, “What do you mean ‘why’?” and then follow that up with, “Because I’m in love” or…they don’t really know what to say at all.
Is being in love a good answer? I mean, it explains why you picked the person that you did; it doesn’t really explain why you are choosing to commit to them for the rest of your life, on a marital level, though. Are you getting married because you know that the two of you will make each other better people? Are you getting married because you want to raise your children in a two-parent dynamic? Are you getting married for biblical reasons like wanting to love like Christ loves his bride (the Church and the Church sent him through A LOT — Ephesians 5)?
Are you getting married because you think you’ve gone as far as you can in your evolution as an individual without the assistance of another? Are you getting married because you want to serve another person as they do the same for you (perhaps not in the same ways because you’re both different people)?
Is that asking the most? Chile, that’s not asking enough. I don’t care how much people mock marriage in the media by changing partners like they change cars or homes. I don’t care how much divorce has been normalized. I don’t care how much folks like to act like a husband is a 2.0 boyfriend (it’s not) and having a wife is a 2.0 girlfriend (it’s not) — marriage is special, sacred, and needs to be honored as such. A wedding should be seen as a happy occasion where two people publicly acknowledge what I just said…not simply a time to get a lot of attention and presents only to come home and go from heaven to hell in six months.
And honestly, that’s a bit part of the reason why I do what I do: it’s because I actually think the covenant of marriage is SO MAGNIFICENT that I want to make sure that people know, as much as possible, what they are signing up for — not an endless wedding; a very real relationship that will challenge them and mature them like nothing else ever will in this lifetime.
____
This was a lot. I already know. Still, it beats spending thousands of dollars on a wedding to stand before a chaplain only to spend thousands of more dollars several years later on a divorce lawyer and therapy while standing before a judge.
Weddings are awesome; you’ll get no argument from me there. Still, I think if I was to narrow all of this down into one statement, it would simply be this: “When it comes to marriage, if the thought of being a wife doesn’t excite you more than being a bride — wait. You’re not ready yet.”
Thank me later, sis. YOU WILL.
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