Arkansas Plans Monument for Unborn, Ignores Actual Living Women
In a groundbreaking move, Arkansas will add another dazzling gem to the Capitol grounds: a “monument to the unborn.” Yes, our state will commemorate theoretical people while ignoring its living, breathing people.
The commission has yet to decide on the exact placement of their homage to the hypothetical. Options on the table include a cooling tower enclosure—just the spot for deep reflection—or the Supreme Court building. The latter would be a fitting spot to contemplate the loss of personal freedom.
Artist Lakey Goff has envisioned a lush, living wall for the monument. Imagine a vertical garden in the Capitol’s backyard, a serene oasis amid the chaos. Just one small hiccup: Arkansas is currently the most dangerous state for pregnant women and new mothers. Now let’s build a garden wall!
State Representative Mary Bentley, one mastermind behind our full abortion ban, is delighted. Abortion in Arkansas is illegal except to save a woman’s life, so naturally, honoring those not born takes precedence over providing actual healthcare to Arkansas women. It’s a brilliant strategy—celebrate the unborn while sidelining the very real, living women in need of medical care.
Not to be outdone by Rep Bentley, Senator Kim Hammer, co-sponsor of the monument, continues to champion causes that keep Arkansas at the forefront of regressive policies. He’s also behind the Ten Commandments monument; mixing government and religious mandates has always worked out so well.
Don’t worry, taxpayers— no public funds will be used. Instead, the state will rely on “gifts, grants, and donations” to foot the bill, which are channeled through Arkansas Right To Life, an org that backs the “Decline to Sign” campaign and hopes to defeat the Arkansas Abortion Amendment.
While supporters of abortion access hustle to gather signatures to restore some semblance of reproductive rights, the commission is focused on finding the perfect spot for their grand statement. Because in Arkansas, it’s not about improving lives—it’s about pontificating while those in need continue to suffer.
So, let’s all take a moment to sit and reflect on the hypocrisy, the misplaced priorities, and the utter disregard for the health and well-being of Arkansas women. At least the plants will be nice?
