Jameela Jamil Opens Up About Her Abortion In Viral Thread: 'It Was The Best Decision I Have Ever Made'
Jameela Jamil, an actress and activist who plays Tahani Al-Jamil in NBC's The Good Place, is speaking out against Georgia's recent anti-abortion legislation.
The law makes all abortions illegal after a fetal heartbeat can be detected, generally around 6 weeks—often before a pregnancy is even discovered.
Jamil took to Twitter to voice her opposition to the law, and the damage that it will do.
She called the law:
"upsetting, inhumane, and blatantly demonstrative of a hatred of women, a disregard for our rights, bodies, mental health, and essentially a punishment for rape victims, forcing to carry the baby of their rapist."
This anti-abortion law in Georgia is so upsetting, inhumane, and blatantly demonstrative of a hatred of women, a di… https://t.co/MC6bhzzzHv— Jameela Jamil 🌈 (@Jameela Jamil 🌈) 1557774247.0
She went on to reveal that she had an abortion when she was younger and called it "the best decision I ever made."
She wasn't prepared emotionally, psychologically or financially to support a child, and decided not to bring a child into the world under those circumstances.
She also cited the increase in children who will end up in foster care because of the law.
An already overcrowded foster care system isn't prepared or able to deal with a sudden influx in children needing placements.
I had an abortion when I was young, and it was the best decision I have ever made. Both for me, and for the baby I… https://t.co/IzQmHBHgJS— Jameela Jamil 🌈 (@Jameela Jamil 🌈) 1557774248.0
She clarified later in the thread that she meant nothing against foster parents. They provide valuable care to children who are in need of a loving home.
Further taxing an already overtaxed foster care system won't help anyone, least of all the children needing foster homes.
Ps.. this isn’t any diss at ALL to foster homes. I’m in awe of people who take in children in need of a family and… https://t.co/xkGOy53edi— Jameela Jamil 🌈 (@Jameela Jamil 🌈) 1557775367.0
The comments on Jamil's thread were largely people criticizing her for her decision to have an abortion or attacking her character.
There were some who appreciated her candor, though.
@jameelajamil Thank you for sharing your story. I appreciate your candor and courage.— Super Left Democrat (@Super Left Democrat) 1557935471.0
@jameelajamil Thank you for being brave enough to share your story.— WilyOtter (@WilyOtter) 1557933558.0
@jameelajamil Thank you for saying what so many women have been shamed into keeping secret. Choice not only gives u… https://t.co/HRJIcBdocJ— Deborah Edwards (@Deborah Edwards) 1557932096.0
A few people had words for those that were being willfully obtuse and missing the point of Jamil's message.
@jameelajamil It’s her decision. That’s the point. Everyone should make the decision that best for them instead of shaming women.— Connor Justice (@Connor Justice) 1557925400.0
@jameelajamil @YNB What is wrong with people? If you don’t agree with abortion then don’t have one. And wait, doesn… https://t.co/qn6p9lVKUI— Ricky Quarequio (@Ricky Quarequio) 1557799897.0
@jameelajamil It takes a lot of courage to be open about this - thank you. I know at least two women for whom this… https://t.co/CXElWcoDiH— Droooooooooo (@Droooooooooo) 1557941920.0
@jameelajamil I think people are missing the point that you were trying to make about a child ending up in foster c… https://t.co/BhOMfXXJHJ— Precious (@Precious) 1557923352.0
It is a fact that there are many loving foster and adoptive families, but it is also a fact that there are many less than stellar ones. Children placed in foster care don't have the luxury of choosing only to live with the good families.
Many of the arguments against Jamil's message also ignore a pregnant person's right to bodily autonomy.
Laws like this are not going to make people suddenly stop having unwanted pregnancies; they are much more likely to just make people seek unsafe alternatives when safe, legal abortions are not an option.