Last week, the Supreme Court voted to overturn Roe v. Wade, the landmark 1973 decision that has protected the reproductive rights of American women for nearly fifty years.
Countless public figures have spoken out against the ruling, with many pointing out that millions of lives will be endangered by lack of access to proper medical care.
One of the most recent A-listers to criticize the reversal is the Duchess of Sussex herself, Meghan Markle.
Without mincing words, Meghan shared her thoughts this week in a new interview with Vogue.
“Men need to be vocal in this moment and beyond because these are decisions that affect relationships, families, and communities at large,” the duchess said.
“They may target women, but the consequences impact all of us. My husband and I talked about that a lot over the past few days. He’s a feminist too,” she continued.
“His reaction last week was guttural, like mine.”
Meghan explained that she’s disheartened by the ruling, but has made a conscious decision not to give in to despair.
“I know that for so many women right now, there is a sentiment of despair. But again, we have to band together and not wallow. We have to do the work,” she told Vogue.
From there, Meghan encouraged women from all works of life to band together against this latest threat to their health and safety.
“This moment requires unity—really listening to people, understanding the Constitution was written at a time when women were second-class citizens. We’re not,” she said.
“Certain things need to change. I think it’s equally about honoring the people who’ve been doing the work long before us, like [feminist icon] Gloria [Steinem],” Meghan continued.
“I’m grateful that I’m holding a baton right there next to her and that we will continue to be doing this work together.”
Obviously, Meghan’s comments were not as strongly-worded as those of pop icon Pink, who encouraged anti-choice fans to stop listening to her music.
But in a way, that’s the point.
By coming out against the ruling when most people of her rank and status would opt not to, Meghan is demonstrating that this is a fight for everyone who believes in women’s rights.
In the years since she and Harry returned to America, Meghan has angered conservatives for speaking out on a wide array of issues.
Republican politicians have accused the Duchess of using her foreign title to exercise unearned political clout.
But Meghan is still an American, a woman, and a person of color, and she’s retained her right to speak out on issues that affect her as such.
And those asking her to give up her rights because of whom she married serve as a reminder of just how much is at stake here
Meghan and Harry will likely come under attack from both Brits and Americans as a result of their refusal to remain silent on this issue.
Thankfully, the Sussexes long ago decided that certain things are more important than their fame or reputation.
