The state of Texas is known for many things. From the love of their sports franchises like the Texas Rangers to their slogan “Everything’s Bigger in Texas”. Recently, the state has drawn a line in the sand surrounding abortion rights and vowing that all Texians are Pro Life. The fact that the state itself talks about the life of the unborn makes their position absolutely clear. My confusion forms in the matter of how an 8 hour shift at a prison facility could be more important than the life of an expecting mother.
Since states like Texas decide if a woman at risk cannot have an abortion regardless of health – or if she’s the victim of a rape – I am flabbergasted to look at the stance of the prison.
Salia Issa, a corrections officer, lost her unborn child several months prior to the overturn of Roe v. Wade. During her shift at the Middleton prison, Issa went into labor. Even though she reported having labor pains she was not allowed to go to the hospital or leave altogether. As a result of her complications, she labored and delivered her child, who was stillborn (a.k.a., deceased before delivery).
No matter what your stance is surrounding Pro Choice or Pro Life, forcing a pregnant woman in gross labor pains to finish her shift at a state prison is wrong on so many levels. What happened to humanity? Where is this care and protection for the unborn child that Texas pounds its chest about?
The supervisor, according to court documents, told Issa, “You’re lying you just wanna go home.” How sad that we live in a society where a pregnant mother can be accused of lying in order to leave work early. As if the family had not been through enough, the state Attorney General along with the state prison are fighting this lawsuit brought forth over the matter.
The argument from the Texas AG’s office appears to be out of sync with the positions Texas has previously taken in defending abortion restrictions, contending all the way up to the U.S. Supreme Court that “unborn children” should be recognized as people with legal rights.
The state of Texas could have simply said regarding the prison incident, “We don’t treat unborn children this way in Texas,” something they have been proclaiming for years – but now their position has clearly changed due to the state being labeled at fault in the lawsuit.
The premise of the lawsuit is that, through negligence, the state caused the death of the child by violating state and federal laws as well as the U.S. Constitution, and the family is seeking money to cover medical and funeral expenses and to compensate for pain and suffering.
So, let’s be clear: this is another situation where political views have warped the minds of those in charge. It appears on the surface that the Texas Attorney General and the representatives for Middleton Prison believe there was no law broken, so why should the family be compensated? According to the state’s logic, it’s not their fault.
I find that to be deplorable coming from a state that claims to be the sole protectors of the unborn. Acknowledging wrongdoing on the three prison supervisors – Brandy Hooper, Desmond Thompson, and Alonzo Hammond – would somehow soften their stance on abortions is completely ridiculous. Having a difference in opinion on Pro Choice or Pro Life are political debates which as a civilized society we should have. However, our political differences should not prevent us from doing the right thing. After all, we are all human…right?
Kacy Benefield is an accomplished historian who challenges not just what is being taught but those who are teaching it. Born in Los Angeles, California, a loving son, brother, husband and father who does not make the news but only reports the truth. Benefield is also the co-host of the show Better Benefield.
You are spot on…could not agree more with your words.
Very well stated. It’s a prime example of how things are only valid conditionally and under certain circumstances.
Very impressed @
He’s a great reporter