I felt my stomach drop through the floor and pools of sweat form in the palms of my hands as my professor sorrowfully informed us that Roe v. Wade — the 1973 decision that guaranteed the right to an abortion — was on track to be overturned. My eyes frantically darted around the room as I attempted to see if anyone else looked as worried as I felt, but I was unfortunately met with blank stares.

What did this mean? I instantly scrambled to search for recent articles on the matter, and spent the rest of class in an unfocused haze.

Politico, a political journalism company, published an article May 2 stating a Supreme Court document had been leaked which contained a draft of the overturning of Roe v. Wade. Although it is only a draft, meaning it’s not yet set in stone, this could mean the end to a woman’s constitutional right to get an abortion in the U.S. 

As a white woman living in California, I have always felt fortunate and secure about my rights to access places like Planned Parenthood. But I’m not naive enough to think everyone is as lucky as me. 

If Roe v. Wade is overturned, it will be up to the states to decide if abortions are legal. Here in California, a blue state, laws will remain the same. But in states such as Mississippi, Texas and many other southern states, pro-choice legislation could be unheard of. 

Studies show that if there is a ban on legal abortions, abortion-related deaths will increase by an estimated 33% for Black people. This statistic doesn’t even account for the inevitable increase in deaths due to unsafe abortions, which is one of the leading causes of maternal mortality.

My heart sinks when I think about all of the endless circumstances in which women may find themselves needing reproductive services. After all, Roe v. Wade protects the right to safe, legal abortions. Overturning this amendment won’t end all abortions; it will just end the safe ones. 

Although I am consumed by sadness, this situation makes my blood boil more than anything else. I am filled to the brim with rage as I watch a handful of old, white men dictate a woman’s right to bodily autonomy. 

It’s Roe v. Wade now, but what will be next? 

It seems as though we are going back in time rather than being progressive. First, women’s rights are steadily revoked, but it won’t stop there. Before we know it, “The Handmaid’s Tale” might not feel so fictional.

Even so, hope is not lost. Many cities all across the country are hosting protests in support of pro-choice legislation. People are letting their voices be heard, and making them impossible to be ignored by local and federal officials. 

I shouldn’t say I’m surprised by this draft decision. I always had a suspicion that something like this might happen. But for the announcement to come on a random Monday night, at the beginning of my last week of sophomore year classes, was a depressing reminder that the future of women’s right to choose remains an uphill battle.