Adler University President Raymond E. Crossman, Ph.D., responds to the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling to overturn Roe v. Wade and its other upcoming decisions in a message to Chicago, Online and Vancouver campus students, faculty, and staff.
This week, the U.S. Supreme Court began announcing decisions at the end of its session. As you’ve likely heard, the Supreme Court decided today to overturn the landmark ruling on Roe v. Wade in 1973 and Planned Parenthood v. Casey in 1992, thus revoking a person’s constitutional right to obtain an abortion in the United States.
I am personally saddened, disturbed, and angry to see what was held as a fundamental human right for 50 years in the U.S. to be rescinded today. Thirteen states have already moved to ban the procedure altogether with others expected to follow – changes that will disproportionately affect women, people of color, sexual and gender minorities, those living in poverty or with less economic resources, and those living in rural and medically underserved regions. We’ve expected this court decision for weeks, and indeed Roe v. Wade has been under threat since it was first announced. Yet I’m still at a loss to fully comprehend what today will mean for women, for poor people, for people of color, and for so many people living with less resources and power.
This issue and ruling, as well as others the Supreme Court is currently considering, is complex. As Adlerians, we know our individual health resides in that of our community. Removing access to safe health care results in harm for individuals and entire communities.
In the coming days, we will see the Supreme Court’s decisions regarding environmental protections (West Virginia v. Environmental Protection Agency) and asylum seekers (Biden v. Texas). The opinions issued in these two landmark cases will have impacts on the ongoing global climate crisis and on undocumented immigrants, their communities, and future immigration policy. Yesterday, the Court ruled to decrease gun controls. This fall, the Court will consider race-conscious admissions and affirmative action in higher education – which could decrease access across our sector. All of these issues are facets of social justice and community health.
At Adler, we are educating the socially responsible practitioners of tomorrow – and while we are facing a new reality and ongoing fights, we will all continue to uphold our shared commitment to build global movements for justice and equity.
Today’s news, as well as what we may face in the weeks ahead, may be challenging for many of us, but let us not forget to show empathy and compassion, even as we engage opinions differing from our own.
President Raymond Crossman, Ph.D.
Adler University President