The Choate community gathered for a panel discussion titled “Deepening Understanding Through Intersectional Dialogue: A Panel on Roe v. Wade Beyond Pro-Life/Pro-Choice,” on November 4. The panel featured three expert panelists in the respective fields of law, religion, and healthcare: Professor Katie Kraschel, Professor Samira Mehta, and Dr. Jerome Adams.
Dr. Katie Kraschel, a professor at Yale Law School specializing in reproductive rights and justice, spoke on the overturning of Roe v. Wade from a constitutional standpoint.
She gave insight into the legal ramifications of the overturning of Roe v. Wade and its effects on the legal healthcare field, emphasizing that there were not only effects on women but also other groups, including healthcare professionals and lawyers.
Dr. Kraschel highlighted the widespread effects of this legal turn, extending beyond just Roe v. Wade to consequences on related laws. Dean of Equity and Inclusion Dr. Rachel Myers shared, “Professor Kraschel did an excellent job of giving a historical overview of some of the key litigation around abortion and what legal ramifications of the overturning of Roe v. Wade could also mean for other civil rights-related litigation.”
Dr. Samira Mehta is a professor of women and gender studies at the University of Colorado, Boulder and focuses on the intersectionality of religion, culture, and gender, in addition to the politics of family life and reproduction. Her work discusses the role of Jewish, Catholic, and Protestant voices on the topic of contraception.
During her segment, Dr. Mehta underscored the widely diverse perspectives of different religions. “It’s fascinating to see how different religious beliefs can make this topic so complicated,” said Cassatt Boatwright ’24.
Dr. Mehta discussed how different interpretations of religious texts can lead to a spectrum of conclusions on the question of when life begins, explaining that there is a wide variety of religious perspectives on the topic of abortion.
Dr. Jerome Adams was the 20th surgeon general of the United States and also served as Indiana State Health Commissioner prior to his appointment as the U.S. Surgeon General. He is currently a Presidential Fellow and the Executive Director of Health Equity Initiatives at Purdue University
.
Dr. Adams discussed the health implications revolving around the overturning of Roe v. Wade, explaining the many medical reasons as to why an abortion might be necessary.
Arin Tongdee ’23 said, “I was surprised to learn that about 10-20% of women have miscarriages. It was really interesting to hear about all the medical procedures and potential health complications that would require an abortion.”
Dr. Adams additionally highlighted the healthcare equity issues revolving around abortions. Boatwright shared, “I learned about how minority groups are more likely to get abortions and how the majority of lawmakers are men who cannot make informed decisions about women’s bodies.” There are many complex nuances around the topic of abortion and morality, especially on viable pregnancies and protecting the safety of the mother.
Although there was varied perspectives and knowledge from each expert, each contributed to a comprehensive and nuanced discussion on the complex topic. Students appreciated the opportunity to gain a more well-rounded perspective on a topic rarely covered in traditional academic settings and to learn about contemporary issues.
Johan Shattuck ’23 reflected, “I think having that panel for the entire student body, just to keep us educated and make sure we are really understanding the entirety of the situation is super important. It was a really great conversation to have and to learn about the topic from different viewpoints that I was unaware of before.”
Other students also enjoyed the topic of the discussion and its applicability to current events. Tongdee said, “I think it was a great way for them to expand the topics that they’re talking about with this panel focusing on current things that are happening right now. Choate is committed to us learning about contemporary issues and cares about education on current topics on a national scale.”
Overall, students found the panel useful in learning about different aspects of the topic of which they were unfamiliar with previously. Boatwright noted, “I’ve heard a lot about it on the news, but I’ve never really researched it deeply. It was interesting to see that the topic of abortion is so complicated and involves a wide variety of perspectives and concerns with health, morality, and equity.”
As an institution striving to create more well-rounded and informed perspectives within the student body, this panel on a current and controversial issue provided great insight into the complexity and nuance of the overturning of Roe v. Wade.
Dr. Rachel Myers reiterated, “The overturning of Roe v. Wade is complex to understand. It’s not simply about pro-Choice or pro-Life, and it aligns with our School mission and values. This panel provided a space for diverse perspectives, academic inquiry and expertise sharing, and a program that will hopefully help prepare our students and adults for an ever-changing world ahead.”
Photo by Ramsey Scott ’23/The Choate News
