Whose right is it anyway?

Today’s news is tomorrow‘s history. Such is the case of a once unassuming woman in Florida.

The Terri Schiavo case has exploded across the nation pitting State Rights against Federal Rights, questioning the sanctity of marriage, creating a power struggle between the legislative and executive branches and the judiciary, and ultimately threatening to sever families who must now not only deal with the care of loved ones, but do so in an environment hostile to Rights of Privacy.

The question is: Does a person have the right to decide not only how they want to live, but how they want to live until death comes?

When the lines between life and death are blurred, where does that leave America?

In the same place, it was over 40 years ago when the life of one woman set a national precedent. Rosa Parks was once an unassuming woman merely following her life’s path until a moment came that forever changed history.

The life and ultimate death of Terri Schiavo will now also forge a path that will become national precedent to which you and I will be accountable to follow.

What will that path be? Life at all costs, regardless of individual rights? Or a right to privacy for self-determination? A right to live my life the way I want?

— Monica Ellington is a student in Dr. Gabriel Bach’s government class.