Vaccination Vacillation

It is no secret that Black people have a chequered history with medical innovation and experimentation. While there is no denying the myriads of Black people who have been pioneers in science and medicine; it is mostly the experience of Black people as the subjects of experimentation and investigation that are most notable. Even preceding the slave trade western ethnographers were doing their utmost to prove that Black people lacked souls or were sub-human. It is a testament to their genius that most of them concluded that Black people were in fact no more intelligent than forest beasts. You have J. Marion Sims who experimented on slaves, the Tuskegee syphilis experiments on Black men, and the forced sterilisation of Black women in the US, which lasted into modern times. So it is no surprise to find many people of colour highly apprehensive about taking a vaccine that has been hurriedly approved and is largely untested.

There may be elements of the covid-19 vaccine development process that arouse some concern. The vaccines will not be 100% safe for all people; and won’t be 100% effective in all cases. The vaccines have been tested on very small samples but have been found to be highly efficacious. Under normal circumstances that might not be enough but right in the middle of a global pandemic it is a lifeline to grasp and hold onto. The vaccines are designed to offer both protection and a reprieve from the disease for most people. For Black people this is what is most important right now. In a world where individually and systemically we are usually subjected to discrimination and oppression we need to protect ourselves, our families and our communities during this pandemic. Some of us cannot afford the luxury of working at home or staying at home to avoid infection. Unfortunately, too many Black people are not doing enough to protect themselves and the people around them. Wearing a face covering, social distancing or complying with infection prevention measures seem to be optional for too many of us. This means that in addition to our inherent deprivation we are also more at risk of infection and from serious illness due to covid-19.

Some people have expressed serious reservations about the vaccines and have indicated their intention to refuse to take it should they be offered. It is a matter of personal choice whether one wants to take the vaccine or not. However, there are vulnerable and elderly people who could be in serious jeopardy from covid-19 if they have no protection from the disease. For those people it is important to be more circumspect about fostering an atmosphere of fear about getting vaccinated. Instead of reinforcing conspiracy theories, misinformation and half truths people should encourage them to make a well informed choice. They can get vaccinated, avoid serious illness and stay out of hospital; or they can risk it all with dire consequences. This is not about doing what the government says or following the rules. It’s simply a matter of staying safe and protecting those around you. 

Abortion: An issue of faith or the greater good?

The state of Mississippi in the United States of America has legislated banning abortions after 15 weeks of pregnancy. The reason given for this is “to protect the most vulnerable of life”. There are few exemptions but these do not include in the event of rape, incest or abuse. A legal challenge to the bill has already been filed, and it is likely to be the first salvo in a drawn out debate that may not see the bill implemented any time soon, if at all. A judge has subsequently blocked the law for a ten day period. Legal precedent across the United States gives women the right of choice regards abortion and allows for abortion up to about 24-26 weeks.

Religion was the foundation of rules and laws in almost all early societies. Religious belief and social law comfortably coexisted in early times. Most people lived their lives according to religious principles and these underpinned law making. Some of these principles still form the basis of legislation in many countries all over the world. However, they are now required to also meet the standards of natural justice and equality. Social order requires laws to be fair and reasonable; and not just a matter of religious doctrine or personal beliefs.

Laws are intended to maintain order and create harmony in societies. Over time laws need to be responsive to changes in social norms and behaviour. However, any changes should promote fairness and equality. Mississippi’s attempt to outlaw abortion takes little consideration of the consequences of criminality, emotional well-being or the best interests of society. There isn’t much of a scientific or medical basis to this attempted law change. The presumption has to be that its being driven by some notion of morality. It is no surprise that Mississippi was one of the states actively engaged in the unwanted sterilisation of vulnerable individuals (particularly African American women) under a state sponsored eugenics programme right up to 1963.

In many cases religious beliefs coincide with the secular laws. However, religious beliefs are meant to apply to groups of people who share those beliefs and abide by the principles underpinning them. The laws of the land on the other hand apply to everyone. It would stand to reason that if a society is considering incorporating any religious values into law then they have to make sure there is a universal benefit to be attained.

It is questionable whether this change in law will create any significant social benefits. It won’t necessarily strengthen family units. It won’t protect children against abuse or neglect. It won’t empower and uplift women. And it certainly won’t lead to a reform of state welfare provisions. What it will potentially do is recreate an unsafe underground abortion industry and put women at more risk. It will also put pressure on women to rush decisions about their pregnancies that they might ideally need more time to come to terms with.

Politicians have a huge responsibility to maintain social order; and make and revise statutes and laws. However, there are too many instances of politicians pursuing the furtherance of their own enrichment, careers and big business interests rather than the needs of the people who elected them. It is down to the people to hold them to account and be prepared to challenge legislation and legislators  that do not serve the greater good.