Tuesday, June 28, 2022

Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization: A Change in U.S. Abortion Law


On June 24, 2022, on a ruling titled Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization, the US Supreme Court changed the national abortion law established by Roe v. Wade in 1973. The majority opinion on the Supreme Court decided that there is no constitutional right to abortion. In States that have laws that prohibit abortions, women will no longer have access to safe abortions in medical facilities and lose their right to make a choice for themselves. 

This does not mean the matter of abortion is settled. 

What do you believe?  The "I Do Believe" mail project invites opinions on all sides of the abortion debate.  Postcards received for I Do Believe will be pinned on a large cloak worn by a female mannikin and exhibited at the Vargas Gallery, Mission College, Santa Clara from August 29 - September 26, 2022. The purpose of this exhibition is to share beliefs, opinions and experiences on all sides of this issue. Postcard comments will be documented in this mail art blog.

To participate, please write on the front of your card (the side with the picture) your belief on either right to life (against legalized abortion) or right to choose (legalized abortion). It can be a few words, one sentence, or a paragraph. You do not have to be an artist to participate. It can be in English or any country's language. The deadline has been extended to July 31, 2022.  Mail your postcard to : I Do Believe, c/o Priscilla Otani, PO Box 31083, San Francisco, CA 94131.

The card should be the standard postcard size of 6 x 4 inches (148 x 105 mm in Europe). You can use any commercial postcard or you can create your own. You can mail your postcard with or without an envelope. For all postcards received, I will black out the name of the sender to safeguard anonymity.

I hope that you will share your thoughtful, heart-felt beliefs, whatever they may be, on this complex and important subject. Please share this call for postcards with your friends and organizations.