Abortion ruling weighs more heavily on Black women
What's going on Soul fam!
I hope everyone had a great weekend and you stayed cool.
As I know most of you all are aware, one of the U.S. Supreme Court's most momentous decisions in generations sparked widespread protests in Knoxville and across the country this weekend as the justices overturned Roe v. Wade.
Just weeks ago I wrote in a previous newsletter about the documented detrimental effects on maternal health, particularly for women of color, when access to abortion is restricted.
In Knoxville, with the arson of Planned Parenthood on Cherry Street on New Year's Eve and Knoxville Center for Reproductive Health canceling all of its abortion appointments in the wake of the Supreme Court decision, all abortion options are out locally.
Tennessee can now ban abortions after an injunction was lifted by the federal 6th Circuit Court of Appeals on Tuesday.
Our newsroom will continue to provide continuing coverage on this issue. Check out our most recent reporting on Roe v. Wade in Knoxville on how local anti-abortion organizations are ramping up their efforts to provide services.
More: After Roe v. Wade overturned, battle over abortion rights shifts to states
More: After constitutional right to abortion is revoked, advocates protest across Tennessee
Racist attack drives a Black family out of neighboring county
My latest story is an exclusive that details the painful and traumatic experience of a Black mother and her children who came to East Tennessee last month.
As I have gotten to know this family over the past month, I thought about the ways in which extremism and racism still permeate in the South, but even more sadly, the hearts and minds of young people.
Ariel Jones told me, "I grew up hearing stories about the South but I didn't imagine it would come to this."
With two mass shootings taking place in Buffalo and Uvalde within weeks of each other, both committed by teenagers, it goes to show that we have to do something about the problem.
The violence spurred federal action on gun laws for the first time in years, culminating with President Joe Biden's signing of the Gun Safety Bill.
"At a time when it seems impossible to get anything done in Washington, we are doing something consequential," Biden said at the White House, hailing the gun bill as the most significant law of its kind in "the last 30 years."
More: The end of Roe, Biden signs gun violence bill before trip: 5 things to know this weekend
On a completely different note, here are some things to do for 4th of July in Knoxville!
Catch you all next week! Have a great holiday weekend!
Angela Dennis is the Knox News social justice, race and equity reporter. You can reach her by email at angela.dennis@knoxnews.com or by phone at 865-407-9712. Follow her on Twitter @AngeladWrites; Instagram @angeladenniswrites; and Facebook at Angela Dennis Journalist.
This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Abortion ruling weighs more heavily on Black women
