By Karis Fuller
Arts&Entertainment Editor
The discussion of abortion, pro-life and pro-choice isn’t a new. Netflix released the documentary ‘Reversing Roe’ on Sept. 13, days after the Supreme Court discussed the current state of Roe vs. Wade. Documentary directors Ricki Stern and Annie Sundberg address the views in support and opposition of reversing Roe vs. Wade decision.
The ground changing decision passed in 1973 by the U.S. Supreme Court in a 7-2 vote, which ruled that a woman’s right to an abortion was protected by the Fourteenth Amendment.
The 99 minute documentary explains the diverse arguments surrounding the controversial issue. Although the creators bias lays with pro-choice, Stern and Sundberg do shine a light on the opposition’s standpoint, and through a series of interviews, structure an equal narrative. They present the timeline and provide clips of Ronald Reagan signing the bill in 1967 that grants women the right to have an abortion in specific situations; they also include interviews with those directly involved in the passing of the law. The documentary also argues against the stigma that pro-choice is anti-life.
Sophomore public relations major Alex Cordova highlighted the importance of the documentary. “It was very eye opening about the history of the federal law. It shows the before and after of the legalization of abortion and how it has allowed for further equal rights of women,” Cordova said. “It also talks about the dangers in our government system that could potentially reverse Roe.”
Sophomore earth science major, Corina Reed shared her thoughts after watching ‘Reversing Roe’ in light of the recent induction of Brett Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court. “The fact that people in this country feel the need the control a woman’s reproductive rights is inhumane. We have come so far along since gaining the right to vote and yet many feel that our society need to be one of the 1950s. If Roe v. Wade is overturned, the daily lives of women will be hugely affected in negative ways.”
It’s hard to say what the future of abortion laws in the United States will be. But through frank documentaries like “Reversing Roe,” we can see the uncertainty that will follow if the law is reversed.
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