Alabama abortion ban: Leslie Jones explains how laws are part of “war on women”

Leslie Jones speaks about the Alabama abortion ban

Credit: Getty

Life


Alabama abortion ban: Leslie Jones explains how laws are part of “war on women”

By Sarah Shaffi

6 years ago

“And if you’re a woman out there and you feel scared or confused, just know that you’re not alone.”

The outpouring of rage at Alabama’s abortion ban shows no sign of letting up, as is right.

The ban makes abortion illegal in almost all circumstances, including if a pregnancy is the result of rape or incest.

It’s the latest in a series of moves tightening access to abortion in America, and well-known figures across the country have been speaking out against the erosion of women’s rights.

Lady Gaga called the Alabama news a “travesty”, while Reese Witherspoon said the passing of laws restricting abortion in a number of states were an “attack on women’s fundamental rights” that could not be tolerated.

Presidential candidate Elizabeth Warren has unveiled a plan to fight back against states which put unnecessary regulations on abortion providers.

And now comedian and actor Leslie Jones has added her voice to those decrying Alabama’s abortion ban.

In a sketch on Saturday Night Live, Jones struck the perfect mix of comedy and anger as she described why men shouldn’t be able to control women’s bodies, and that the laws currently being enacted were part of a “war on women”.

Entering the Weekend Update sketch dressed in a handmaiden’s outfit from The Handmaid’s Tale, Jones explained to an amused co-star Colin Jost that her clothing choice was not an exaggeration.

Ripping off her handmaiden’s cloak to reveal a black t-shirt with the word “mine” and an arrow pointing down, Jones said “you wouldn’t think that” society was heading towards becoming a real-life The Handmaid’s Tale.

But, she added, “this is how it starts”.

She continued: “I’m out living my life. Then I see on the news a bunch of states are trying to ban abortion and then tell me what I can and can’t do with my body. Next thing you know I’m in Starbucks and they won’t take my credit card because I’m a woman, instead of the regular reason which is I don’t have no money on it.”

Jones said she was particularly angry about the fact the Alabama ban was voted on by an all-male legislature.

The Game of Thrones’ fan said: “If any of them had lips, I would tell them to kiss my entire ass. You can’t control women because, I don’t know if y’all heard, but women are the same as humans.

“And I’m Leslie Dracarys Jones.”

She also expressed surprise that Alabama’s female governor, Kay Ivey, signed the legislation into law.

“And how is Alabama’s woman governor going along with this?” she asked. You’re not rebellious? Me, I’m rebellious from the top. When people tell me good morning, I say: ‘No, it’s not. You don’t know my morning. Don’t take away my choice to have a bad morning.’

“Because when women have a choice, women have freedom.”

Jones also referred to the other states that are tightening access to abortion, and sent a message to women that they weren’t alone.

“The fact that nine states are doing this means this really is a war on women,” she said. “And if you’re a woman out there and you feel scared or confused, just know that you’re not alone. There’s so many women out there that got your back, especially me - Leslie ‘Dracarys that bitch’ Jones.

“You can’t tell me what to do with my body. You can’t make me small or put me in a box. I’m 6ft tall and 233 lbs. Ain’t no box big enough to hold me.

“And I know, because one time I tried to mail myself to a dude.”

Jones might have make us laugh with her sketch, but that doesn’t detract from the seriousness of her point - US states are enacting a war on women, and we should all continue to speak out about it.

Image: Getty

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