Sexual assault
Loren Peterson, history major
"ICE in their Veins," a poem by Inga Elvrom, American Cultural studies major
America the Beautiful
Eye of the beholder
Darkness in the shadows, step into the light
Ignorance is pure hell
And pure love is wise
Make America Great Again
When? Para quien?
Brothers against hermanos
Old as creation
Cain killing Abel, divided we fall
Black, brown, red blood of Americans
Sur, Norte, Centro todos somos Americanos
Spilled in vain
In our streets, honor stained
Blood is not white
Sangre es azul, tristeza profunda
Mar que nos hunde
Depths of sorrow created by
Saltwater, a mother’s tears, lagrimas se caen
In our wounds, we never heal
Queremos sentir sol en la cara
In the midst of fear anger dolor
Love conquers all? Donde esta el amor?
Conquistadores no lo buscan
Oro brilla pero nunca ilumina
Spark to flame to wildfire
Burning crosses we bear
Border crossing, peligro en la vida
Souls bared, almas perdidas
Freedom turns to ash, ceniza en los manos
Bridges burn to chants of Build the Wall
Planned Parenthood
As a Planned Parenthood patient in Bellingham, WA. I know from personal experience that these centers play a vital role in our state. I've been a patient ever since I moved here 4 years ago to attend Western and I have been so grateful for the services they have provided me, ranging from STD testing to run-of-the-mill women's wellness checkups. If it weren't for their ability to provide affordable services, I would have had no way to access such necessary screenings.
Attacks against Planned Parenthood are attacks against my health and the health of the 103,456 women, men, and you don't people who also rely on these centers across Washington State for preventative services like birth control, cancer screenings, STI testing and treatment, and well-woman exams.
Over half of Planned Parenthood providers are in medically underserved areas, such as Skagit and San Juan county. That's why the claims made by some politicians that other health care provider could serve me and other Planned Parenthood patients as effectively when access to health care at Planned Parenthood is blocked are so absurd.
Planned Parenthood has always been there for me when I needed them, and I don't know what I would've done without their services. I am just one of millions who depend on Planned Parenthood health centers across Washington and around the country.
We should all stand up for this incredible health care provider rather than attempting to defend it, leaving me and thousands of individuals across Washington without the care that we need. Action can be as simple as showing your support by putting a sticker in your window or as big as volunteering with your local chapter. Whatever you do, don't let the thousands of people who rely on affordable health services end up without.
Victoria Campbell, accounting and MIS major
Due to recent attempts to defund Planned Parenthood, I wanted to shed light on why everyone should (continue to) support this organization.
I’ve heard from many people that they don’t want their tax dollars going towards abortion and I want to make sure those people understand that no federal money goes towards abortion. The Hyde Amendment, which has been intact for decades, prevents that. So, don’t let a misconception like that stand in the way of your support.
What Planned Parenthood provides is healthcare. For everyone, not just women! Preventative medicine (such as mammograms, STI/STD testing and Pap smears) are provided daily to everyone from any walk of life.
Ultimately, defunding Planned Parenthood hurts those who need it most. Half of PP clinics are located in underserved areas, so when people say that other healthcare providers can provide these services for them, that’s untrue for half of the population.
Healthcare doesn’t need to be political. In fact, 48% of Donald Trump supporters stated that they’re opposed to defunding Planned Parenthood. Anyone is welcome at Planned Parenthood and anyone is welcome to support them! Don’t let your political views sway this nonpartisan issue.
As a young woman who has used Planned Parenthood for preventative medical services in the past, I’m eternally thankful for them. Their support is integral in so many people’s lives which is why your support of Planned Parenthood is so crucial.
If you’re interested in learning more about Planned Parenthood or getting involved, please swing by our Safe Sex Friday booth from 10 am - 2 pm every Friday in Red Square on Western’s main campus!
Planned Parenthood Generation Club member
Mailbox illustration by Hunter Smith.
Letters to the editor are not necessarily the opinion of The Western Front. The Western Front is committed to publishing letters to the editor from the community, as long as they meet the paper’s editorial standards. For more information on letters to the editor, or to submit a letter, contact westernfrontonline@gmail.com
