Today I am honored to be sitting down with Dr. Whitney You, a high risk OBGYN. I brought her on to discuss the overturn of Roe V. Wade, but it became a much larger conversation of what freedom, sanctuary, and security mean in America right now.  Dr. You was planning on taking her children to the local 4th of July parade at Highland Park, where the most recent mass shooting took place. Dr. You and her family ended up in a mandated shelter in place, as the authorities were looking for the shooter outside of her neighborhood. 

In her words, "I just felt really defeated and tired. And scared. I just wanted to keep my kids safe.  And at this point - I don't trust that the government is going to do that.  So you get into, 'Well what do I need to do to keep my kids safe?  I don't have the answer.'  As a parent and a mother - not having that answer is a very helpless feeling."   Discussion Points:

• It doesn't feel like there is sanctuary or safe spaces in America right now.
• How are we to be proactive as American citizens when everything feels so polarized, volatile, and divided?
• We talk about the feelings of hopelessness but also honor our privilege in a country where many live in neighborhoods that have never felt safe or protected. 
• How do we have conversations with each other - and develop more empathy, compassion, and emotional intelligence as a country... as well as coming to the discussion with real knowledge and education on a subject versus an opinion or belief?
• We talk about how guns have more rights than women in America right now.
• How the overturn of Roe V. Wade is not just an abortion issue, it's a human rights and equity issue.  Dr. You talks about how it will disproportionately effect the under resourced, women of color, individuals struggling with metal illness, in the military, and those who rely on public funds.  
• It's a space where we lack a lot of definitions and the necessity of more conversations about it, de-stigmatizing it, and taking the shame away.