Conservative Alabama: How the state lives after the abortion ban

The Alabama Senate passed a law that prohibits women from having an abortion at any gestational age, even when it comes to the consequences of rape and incest. By the way, this law was adopted by 25 people's elected men. Moreover, in the state itself, the majority of the population supports the ban: South America is known for its traditionally conservative mores and special piety. About how life is organized in the heart of the Bible belt - in a special report of the correspondent Rtvi Knjagnitsky Harry from Alabama.

Фото: Depositphotos

Sharon Robison is the daughter of a military man, the wife of a military man and the mother of a military man. Native American says her tribe has a war of blood. She has tattoos, such as the Cherokee rose. At the solemn ceremony on the occasion of the Day of Remembrance — on this day, honoring American soldiers who died in wars — Sharon grabbed her beloved Ruger. In Alabama allowed to carry weapons.

Sharon Robison, Alabama: “My father brought me up with a weapon, my husband and I constantly practice shooting.”

Her husband Jeff also showed his gun to the RTVI film crew. Freedom of carrying weapons is one of the basic conservative values. But on the issue of banning abortions, Sharon has a special opinion, different from the majority of Republicans.

Sharon Robison, Alabama: “I personally believe that a woman has the right to do with her body what she wants. But you must understand that this is the Bible belt. Alabama is part of the Biblical Belt. This means that Baptists are behind the politicians, they support the politicians. ”

On the subject: What awaits a woman who decides to have an abortion in the United States

Alabama, which is struggling to "make America great again", is such a conservative state that the ban on abortion is not perceived as something extraordinary. Even in an era when American spacecraft plow the expanses of the universe. By the way, these same spaceships were once designed here in the city of Huntsville in the north of Alabama. Here is the space center, in which the "godfather" of the American lunar program Werner von Braun worked.

Residents of Huntsville proudly call their city "Rocket City". A lot of people with higher education work here in the high-tech space industry. Perhaps that is why Huntsville is perhaps the most progressive city in Alabama. There are even not only joint visits to worship in the Baptist church, but also secular parties. They are satisfied with the Russian-speaking resident of Huntsville. They have an extremely friendly community here. The soul of the company is Natalia Kuevas, the wife of a retired naval officer.

Natalia Cuevas, Alabama resident: “I have a wonderful husband who, in principle, hears my opinion. And I manage to manage it. I raised him 14 years. Has brought up in its own vein. ”

Not such an old sea wolf, Kevin Cuevas simply radiates happiness. The only thing that is not enough for complete spiritual harmony is a great pistol, he says. But I had to obey my wife: she was totally against the weapons in the house. And what a conservative Kevin will never agree with Natalia, so it is in the issue of abortion. The wife is for, the husband is against.

Kevin Cuevas, Alabama: “I think abortion is murder. I am convinced that this is killing a child. I heard people say that it was their body, it was their choice. But is this their body, or is this the body of a new life? The heart is already beating. ”
Even if it does not fight, abortion is totally prohibited in Alabama, at any time. Except when the pregnancy is at risk for the health of the woman. So judged 25 white men in the state Senate.

Shamika, an Alabama resident: “What annoys me the most is the fact that a person who has no idea how a vagina works tells me how to deal with your body. So Alabama sucks, really. ”

There are no exceptions even for victims of rape and incest. And about this in Alabama for a long time walking stories. Or not stories ...
Oksana Alabama, realtor and blogger: “It's true. Because the family should be, especially in these small towns, when everyone knows each other and when this is all, as they say, it is better to keep in the family, because you trust only your family. ”
Realtor Oksana Leslie, also known as a blogger and author of books Oksana Alabama, knows the staff and its inhabitants even better than I would like to.

Oksana Alabama, realtor and blogger: “For cousins, for second cousins ​​- and now these marriages are here. Only about this no one will say that, they say, I'm with my dad there or with my cousin. ”

Everywhere farms. No one knows what secrets these old houses and barns keep. A decent, preferably patriotic showcase has long been not misleading the locals. But what is happening in Alabama should remain in Alabama. It is not customary to confide with visitors and, moreover, to notify the police if you are harassed by your uncle or father, Ilya Bronstein notes. A medical student and a practicing nurse in his hospital saw everything.

On the subject: Best and worst states for families and children

Ilya Bronstein, medical student at Samford University: “If you go to a hospital or police station, you can hear about it. We live in Birmingham, and in farms where everyone knows each other, there are 30 people for the whole farm or village, they are generally afraid to talk about it openly. Because there the husband and the policeman are the best friends. ”

In the city of Mobile, in the very south of the state, the guys from the plow drilled down the RTVI film crew with stern looks: how could anyone even dare to ask about abortions.

Farmer: “I do not support abortion. It's like knocking your brains out. ”

Harry Knyagnitsky, RTVI: "You do not support the law or abortion?".

Farmer: "I do not support abortion."

Farmer: "I do not support them."

Farmer: "This is murder."

Okay, farmer. In defense of abortion, and some women, and very educated.

Shelly Abrou, broker: “As for rape or incest, if God decided to send a child to a woman in this way, then there is some purpose behind it. This is not for us to decide. There are so many people in the world who were born as a result of rape or incest. And this is the same as saying to them: you should not have been born, you are not needed here. Die. "

Theological arguments in this amazing state are sometimes stronger than scientific and economic arguments. That is, questions of how to deal with the physical and psychological trauma of the victim or with what money an 12-year-old girl will raise a child fade into the background. Biblical categories of Alabama residents have been taught to think from childhood.

Oksana Alabama, realtor, blogger: “Some children, as I understand it, go to church and can say something like that, foaming at the mouth, that this is the case, and not that. And I know that their gay is an insult. ”

Formally, gay marriage is allowed in Alabama. But in fact, to get engaged in the state - a big problem, says Max. He is gay, 10 years old lives in Alabama. According to him, no family judge will register gays unless a high ranking official says a word for them.

Max, Alabama: “Transgender people are hated here. You can hear the story of how transgender people were killed or abused. ”

Harry Knyagnitsky, RTVI: "Killed?"

Max, Alabama: "Yes. In Birmingham, there was such a case; a transgender was killed there just because he was himself. You are perceived differently, not like everyone else. Because it is a staff of men and women. A man should be married to a woman and nothing else. Only Adam and Eve, but not Adam and Steve. People need to wake up and realize that 2019 is now a year. ”

But Alabama is timeless. Someone even likes this conservative peace.

Lily Valentinskaya, a resident of Alabama: “I love small cities so that it is quiet and peaceful, so that I can have my own house. For children calmly!

And someone, on the contrary, and would like to break free, but already rooted.

Veronica Johnson, a resident of Alabama: “Of course, there are not enough, as they say, cultural events and concerts. Not enough life.

Conservatives say: if you want life, go to your California or New York and pay two or three times more for property. In Alabama, and the truth, low prices and taxes. And here there is this wonderful comfort. The question is, what else do people need in a sweetheart house ...

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