Blog Post #2: Reflecting on the Supreme Court

 

• What did you learn about the Supreme Court that you didn't already know?

Through the videos I was shown, I have learned a to about the supreme court that I was not previously aware of. For starters, I found it comforting that most of them felt like they were completely over their heads until around three years in...some even longer! I don't know names, but one man said "you don't start really doing your work properly until you forget that you're here...and that takes years." This humanized the justices to me. I also was happy to learn that most of the time they disagree with each other, but have the upmost respect for one another opinion and education. I don't know why I thought they would agree with each other on everything. If that were true, they wouldn't need nine of them!

• What is the most important take-away point about the Supreme Court?

These people are so careful with each and every task they take on. They know the weight of their words and they take so much time to solidify their opinion. They all genuinely love what they do and they enjoy the unbiasedness of it all, despite what people might believe. They are even angered and offended when asked about secrecy and hidden motive and conclusions. This gave me hope that through our hardest times the Supreme Court will stay unbiased regardless of how powerful the person they're dealing with is. 

• What was the most surprising thing you learned?

In these videos, I was told that the Supreme Court tells congress what they can and can't do. This surprised me because I continue to struggle to understand how our Presidents and their teams can go against these "greats"and seemingly do whatever the hell they want without punishment. For example, I had no idea that Joe Biden opening the birders was completely unconstitutional. So why could he even do that? Even so, why wasn't he held accountable? On a different note, something else that greatly surprised me was the fact that each of the justices writes their own "court opinion" after conferences and the oral argument. I thought the only thing that happened was they heard the case in a court room and decided in a back room somewhere. Silly right? To my surprise, each justice takes WEEKS writing their final opinions on a specific case. Through this, some opinions may even sway to that of their peers. In the video it stated that, "here it is possible that the minority opinion becomes the majority." This goes to show just how impartial they really can be. 

• How did the video change the way you thought of the Supreme Court?

This video completely humanized the Supreme Court to me. They are just normal people that posses the highest desire for true justice and a passion for our constitution. 

Blog Post #3: Which Value I Most Value

     To me the most important value is Individual autonomy, the freedom to make decisions about one’s own life. This is fundamental to personal dignity and equality. As a woman, this principle resonates deeply because autonomy forms the foundation of our ability to live freely, to make choices about our bodies, and to resist societal constraints that have historically sought to limit us. Among the Eight Values of Free Expression, none is more vital than individual autonomy to me.It is not just about self-expression but also about self-determination—the core of human agency. Additionally, it provides safety in cases of sexual crime, let alone issues during a normal, wanted pregnancy. 

Throughout history, women have fought for the right to control their own bodies and destinies. The fight for reproductive rights exemplifies this struggle. A landmark case, Roe v. Wade, granted women the right to choose abortion in 1973, affirming their autonomy over reproductive decisions. Even though this wasn't an abortion case, but a case of privacy, it still provided protection and aid. However, in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization in 2022, the overturning of Roe was a direct assault on that autonomy. This decision allowed states to restrict or ban abortion, stripping away the fundamental freedom of choice. The consequences have been devastating for countless women, particularly those from marginalized communities, who now face life-threatening risks or are forced to travel long distances to seek care. What is even scarier is that our new vice president wants to TRACK pregnancies to make sure women don’t cross state lines to get an abortion. I mean seriously? WHY DOES THIS MATTER WE HAVE WAY MORE PRESSING ISSUES!!!!! There have been COUNTLESS stories of women who have been denied abortions in life threatening cases, some being left so damaged that they can no longer have children…some even resulting in death. Is this better? In my opinion, if you’re so “pro-life” what about the struggling or dying mother?

The importance of individual autonomy becomes even clearer to me when I reflect on  the hypocrisy surrounding COVID-19 and the vaccine debate. Many individuals who opposed vaccines during the pandemic claimed their personal freedoms were being violated. MOSTLY REPUBLICAN. "My body, my choice," they argued, resisting what they perceived as government overreach. Yet, these are the same people supporting abortion bans, dictating what women can and cannot do with their own bodies. 

The refusal to recognize women’s right to bodily autonomy is a loud and disappointing reminder that autonomy is not equally respected. In my opinion, if you think unwanted pregnancies shouldn't be aborted, why shouldn't men just get vasectomies? I mean they can have them reversed can’t they? The freedom to choose whether or not to carry a pregnancy is as personal and profound as the decision to refuse a vaccine. Both hinge on the same principle: the right of individuals to control their bodies without interference. Yet, the burden of restricted autonomy disproportionately falls on women, demonstrating the ongoing struggle for gender equality in matters of free expression and personal agency. 

Here are some links related to the topics I have brought up 

https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2022/07/04/1109367458/my-body-my-choice-vaccines?utm_source=chatgpt.com

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/jan/23/abortion-homicide-bills?utm_source=chatgpt.com

The Women Killed by the Dobbs Decision

https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2024/09/women-killed-dobbs-decision-abortion/679921/?utm_source=chatgpt.com

A Third Woman Died Under Texas’ Abortion Ban. Doctors Are Avoiding D&Cs and Reaching for Riskier Miscarriage Treatments.

https://www.propublica.org/article/porsha-ngumezi-miscarriage-death-texas-abortion-ban?utm_source=chatgpt.com 

Texas woman died after being denied miscarriage care due to abortion ban

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/oct/30/texas-woman-death-abortion-ban-miscarriage?utm_source=chatgpt.com

Blog Post #1: My Sources of News

 NEWS AND INFORMATION

    As embarrassing as it sounds, I'd be lying if I said TikTok wasn't my main news outlet. I'm not even following any news accounts but current events and happenings always pop up on my "For You Page". What I like about TikTok is its controversial lack of censorship. Hence why it's being taken down in the first place. I enjoy that people can come together and reveal things in the comment section; exposing motives ranging from celebrities, influencers, and the government. TikTok gives each and every person a safe place to speak their mind without consequence. For instance, and I'll link some clips. There is currently a super heated Hollywood lawsuit between Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni. Instead of doing it myself, people on TikTok have explored both lawsuits page by page and I am being constantly updated and entertained. 

    Another source I have access to (whether I like it or not) is my Dad. He stays away from the news sources and claims they're all "stupid and unreliable". My younger brother and I are pretty liberal/independent. I grew up with a passion for the arts and my brother had a passion for basketball. Throughout my entire life, I have been surrounded by people different from me. Whether that be gay, trans, etc. I always thought it was normal because it was all I knew. My brother grew up constantly surrounded by people of color, and friends in bad parts of our town. He and I became susceptible to political issues that threaten or silence those groups that we hold so close to us. Therefore, we're not the biggest fans of Trump's team. This drives my Dad absolutely nuts. Even though he's not super "MAGA", he gets so angry with us for "not seeing the bigger picture for the economy's sake". He does a great job of educating me on the black and white statistics of our country's issues and points out a lot of genuine flaws in the plans of the left. Hence why i've been leaning more independently than liberal in recent years, however, and maybe it's because we're not adults with real-world jobs yet, my brother and I can't help but put human happiness and genuine freedom over money and the economy. 

    Unfortunately, those are my only two sources of news. If I added a third, I'd be lying. However I would like to expand on WHY..

    My entire life, I have seen what being "educated" has done to people. Anyone I know that has strong opinions in either direction, posseses nothing but anger and a closed mind. It drives me nuts. It's something I really struggle with when it comes to my friends here. We don't talk politics, but when times like this roll around, I find some of my closest friends posting and making fun of people similar to my friends at home. It's devastating. I often feel silenced at this school, afraid to voice the things I care about in fear of being berated or mocked. Even so, even my super liberal friends at home post extremist stuff I cant get behind. There's just so much hate. I refuse to drown myself in politics and join the arguing. I am much happier keeping my thoughts to myself and following my heart and my gut. I pray that someday our country finds a happy medium and, respectfully, just shuts the hell up and lives their own life and minds their own business. How can we call ourselves "America" until we reach that?