The passing of House Bill 314 in Alabama that criminalizes abortions is polarizing the nation, but American film director Ava DuVernay is encouraging people to take action.
The unconstitutional bill sponsored by State Rep. Terri Collins (R-Decatur) applies to pregnant women regardless of age and towards rape and incest victims.
HB 314 is also one of many nationwide measures aimed at reversing Roe v. Wade – 1973's U.S. Supreme Court decision that protected a woman's right to choose.
DuVernay's posted an urgent reminder as a response to Wednesday's controversial decision.
"Don't move forward after reading this like everything is normal. Don't shake your head at Alabama and then keep going about your day."
The Wrinkle In Time director expressed that what happened in Alabama is only the beginning.
"Realize that this is a warning. It's Alabama and abortion today. It's you and your rights tomorrow. Your silence will not save you. So speak up."
Don’t move forward after reading this like everything is normal. Don’t shake your head at Alabama and then keep goi… https://t.co/TapGRQxc9h— Ava DuVernay (@Ava DuVernay) 1557902335.0
The post became a powerful thread with users vehemently voicing their opposition to HB 314 and encouraging others to vote.
@ava @SarahKSilverman If this bill is signed into law, women in Alabama become slaves to an unborn fetus. The ball… https://t.co/2Hc3pR2JrX— Grampa Morris (@Grampa Morris) 1557907019.0
The chamber rejected an amendment to make an exception for women who are victims of rape and incest by a 21 to 11 vote.
The bill will only allow abortions if the pregnant woman's life is threatened.
Doctors performing abortions would be charged with a class A felony and could face up to 99 years in prison, while those attempting to perform the procedure would be charged with a Class C felony punishable for up to ten years in prison.
Here is a challenging perspective.
@ava https://t.co/MJ54cpLyGw— Binford Carter (@Binford Carter) 1557918850.0
Sen. Clyde Chambliss, (R-Prattville), who is the bill's sponsor, claimed that the decision could have an impact on the state "as well as the nation."
"It could have an impact on millions of as yet unborn children."
But what about the mothers? Who is speaking for them?
@ava I cannot understand why in 2019 we have moved so far backwards and are restricting women’s reproductive rights… https://t.co/WAMiqjCdAw— Cleverly Changing (@Cleverly Changing) 1557916616.0
@Cleverlychangin @ava The fact that this is more restrictive than the Georgia law says a lot because it’s horrible.… https://t.co/sSbdcVXbKa— Adanna Dill (@Adanna Dill) 1557920288.0
@ava Add Alabama to places I’ll never go to. I hope this backwards thinking doesn’t spread. People need to get out… https://t.co/b5PnllcjXQ— Brad Gregory (@Brad Gregory) 1557915626.0
@BradG1975 @ava I’m concerned that this has already spread. 1/3 of the country actually believes D’s support infant… https://t.co/LerIMYvKbM— Amanda Thomas (@Amanda Thomas) 1557923241.0
@manalyn618 @ava It’s scary what misinformed people believe. Truth is whatever someone can convince people it is. I… https://t.co/f7cCBuZtyd— Brad Gregory (@Brad Gregory) 1557924103.0
@Cleverlychangin @ava I think the level of misogyny that we have in this country is so deep, so connected with whit… https://t.co/BI1j8Wz7oh— amy wilder (@amy wilder) 1557970073.0
A campaign to boycott Alabama began circulating online, but we can do better.
@annajanejoyner @ginarcameron @ava @joanwalsh Thank you, thank you. Some of us actually LIVE in Alabama. Instead of… https://t.co/VVrWgaJmsp— Jena M (@Jena M) 1557923728.0
But some Alabamians are genuinely terrified.
@SistatodaMoon @annajanejoyner @ginarcameron @ava @joanwalsh I live here, and I disagree completely. I’d never ask… https://t.co/cfQzQu1VbK— Dr. Ashley Hampton (@Dr. Ashley Hampton) 1557926173.0
@drashleyhampton @SistatodaMoon @annajanejoyner @ginarcameron @ava @joanwalsh C’mon ladies.. I live here too. Ole K… https://t.co/xzqZ4qx28n— Nicey (@Nicey) 1557927887.0
What else can we do? Here are some organizations that could benefit from the fight.
@ginarcameron @ava @joanwalsh Please don't add suffering to the millions of Alabamian women and citizens who find t… https://t.co/l4PHqACbQJ— Anna Jane Joyner (@Anna Jane Joyner) 1557922971.0
@NicoleGarton_ @alt_trite @NiceyMack @drashleyhampton @SistatodaMoon @annajanejoyner @ginarcameron @ava @joanwalsh… https://t.co/UGPzwXBH8i— Jennifer Vanderputten 🌊✒️💻 (@Jennifer Vanderputten 🌊✒️💻) 1557946553.0
DuVernay is onto something here, and it is vital than ever not to remain silent on the passage of this heinous legislation.
Cicely Tyson And Ava DuVernay Just Had The Sweetest Twitter Exchange Over Cicely's TIME Magazine Cover
In the 1970, actress Cicely Tyson earned acclaim for her role in Roots as well as a Best Actress Oscar nomination for her work in Sounder, a film about sharecroppers in the Depression-era south. Since then, she's become well known for tireless activism, which gained the attention of director Ava DuVernay when she was choosing who would grace the cover of her guest-edited issue of TIME Magazine.
After appearing on the cover of TIME's second annual "Optimism" issue, Tyson tweeted her thanks to DuVernay, saying:
"I have been asked multiple times what it feels like to be on the cover of @TIME? My humblest answer is, had u not been guest editor, I would probably never know. For that I am truly grateful and thankful that God put u in my life. I hope the cover inspires many more."
.@ava I have been asked multiple times what it feels like to be on the cover of @TIME? My humblest answer is, had u… https://t.co/iFuwQFt5gp— Cicely Tyson Just As I Am Fan Page (@Cicely Tyson Just As I Am Fan Page) 1549745645
Delighting fans, DuVernay responded with deference to her role-model:
"It was my true honor, Your Majesty."
@IAmCicelyTyson @TIME It was my true honor, Your Majesty. https://t.co/shjMrY3TmO— Ava DuVernay (@Ava DuVernay) 1549747935
Tyson now plays the role of Ophelia Harkness in Shonda Rhimes' hit series How To Get Away With Murder, showing just how far she is from done.
It's that exact dedication to her craft and to her philanthropic work which made Tyson a perfect fit for DuVernay's take on optimism. The director wrote in the "Art of Optimism" edition that she hopes to "present the idea of optimism, hopeful progress and radical change through the appreciation of art."
Mama Ophelia Visits Annalise in Prison - How To Get Away With Murder Sneak Peek 3x12youtu.be
DuVernay went on to write another message to Tyson on Twitter, saying:
"I love you, Ms. Tyson. Thank you for all that you are, and for all that you continue to give us. This is the least of what you deserve, Your Majesty."
I love you, Ms. Tyson. Thank you for all that you are, and for all that you continue to give us. This is the least… https://t.co/CPtpWf7R0M— Ava DuVernay (@Ava DuVernay) 1549747832
Fans were touched by the interaction between two masters of their crafts:
@ava I’m loving this part of black history month. ✊🏽✊🏽✊🏽— Gwen (@Gwen) 1549753832
@ava You and @IAmCicelyTyson are everything. E-ver-y-thing!!!— [Redacted] (@[Redacted]) 1549748367
@ava @nischelleturner QUEENS! MY HEART FLUTTERS AT THE GREATNESS!!!!! {YES. I'M SCREAMING!!!}— KMRP (@KMRP) 1549749314
Social media users were also in complete agreement with DuVernay: it's impossible to give Cicely Tyson too many props.
@ava She should be on every magazine cover.— Sonny saneus (@Sonny saneus) 1549747929
@ava We are so blessed to still have @IAmCicelyTyson in our lives. To the Universe I am so thankful.— tfontrae (@tfontrae) 1549748272
Though there will always be negativity in the world, small exchanges like this one between DuVernay and Tyson can bring light to even the darkest days.
@ava @IAmCicelyTyson One of the greatest benefits of Ms Tyson's life's work are generations of black girls whom hav… https://t.co/y0cWf6l5rd— Patricia Ange #Disabled is not a dirty word (@Patricia Ange #Disabled is not a dirty word) 1549770651
@ava Grace, Class, Beauty, Intelligence and Talent ...but enough about Ava 😎...Ms Tyson is a Legendary Queen of the Screen 💖— warrior (@warrior) 1549766055
@ava @ava I was 15 when I was blown away by Sounder. I was 60 when I was blown away by The Trip to Bountiful.… https://t.co/mStBk1Cc2u— John Brase (@John Brase) 1549759225
For an actress as respected as Cicely Tyson, appearing on the cover of TIME is an overdue honor.
The Discrimination Cicely Tyson Faced | Oprah's Master Class | Oprah Winfrey Networkyoutu.be
Sounder (1972) - Traileryoutu.be
Thank you for your work, Ms. Tyson!