Two more bad arguments from both sides.

So, we got more hate mail on our youtube account! I looked up some of the person's videos and wanted to respond to two more arguments he and others I’ve heard say.

First, he responded to “Don’t like abortion? Don’t have one.” Which is a horrible argument in the context that most people use it. It’s easy to counter- insert “Don’t like rape? Don’t commit it,” or a similar line. But I do think the feeling behind it is valid and this is why: many people who consider themselves “pro-life” have abortions and/or have been in situations where they’ve supported women who have had abortions. Generally it’s the thought process of “The Only Moral Abortion Is My Abortion” (taken from the title of this excellent article). I believe most people are pro-choice but don’t like the idea of abortion in one aspect or another and are thus swayed by the term and promise of “pro-life”- which is OK. That’s a starting point. We can learn to break down people’s judgments, misinformation and subtle misogynistic attitudes. This comment is a starting ground to inform people, but poorly worded and not thought out too well.

Next, there was the old argument, “abortion is a decision that no woman makes lightly,” similar to that ridiculous “abortion should be safe, legal and rare,” statement. Yes, abortion should be safe- there should be laws regulating it and the people who go into the business, just as with any other medical procedure. But a woman’s decision is hers alone. I have known women who have decided to terminate her pregnancy the second she discovered she was pregnant or that something was wrong with the pregnancy, without a second thought or regret. I’ve known women who have struggled with what their decision should be and then others who have decided to continue with a pregnancy despite the risks to her own health or being in a bad situation. Each woman’s decision is hers and both those statements belittle her self agency and individual situations. Judging her or telling her what to do- in any situation- is not helpful!

So, for me, it basically comes down to this: be nice to women. Everyone, really. Stop judging them, making excuses for them or trying to control their lives.

June's episode of "The A Word" is now up!

Gaylon and Crystal host June's episode of "The A Word". They discuss Dr. Tiller's life and assassination, and what steps we need to further the reproductive rights movement.



www.youtube.com/chicagoabortionfund

R.I.P.

Let me begin by sending my deepest condolences to the family of Dr. George Tiller. His brutal murder is yet another act of senseless violence and a hate crime. The anti - abortion people believe they can say whatever they please and think that it is justified as freedom of speech. Their hateful words and behavior has an effect on everyone, even those crazy enough to load a gun, walk into a church and take the life of someone else's brother, father, friend. It is no secret that I am pro-choice and proud of it! I have blogged, been on live TV and lobbied in Springfield, IL about it before. This is the very reason why I volunteer for the Chicago Abortion fund. Sure, abortion is still legal but if all of the doctors who willingly put there lives on the line to help keep a woman's choice possible are murdered, Roe v. Wade will certainly become irrelevant.

Does abortion prevent child abuse?

“Does abortion prevent child abuse? In 1973, when abortion was first legalized, the United States child abuse cases were estimated at 167,000 annually. According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, approximately 903,000 children were victims of abuse during 2001, a number more than 5 times greater.”

-from Life Report Podcast


Correlation is NOT causation. The population of the US increased from 211,909,000 in 1973 to 285,669,915. While those numbers are not enough to explain the difference, perhaps a shift in social attitudes can. Even just a generation or two ago, it was common to use more negative force and excessive discipline on children (for example, how common was spanking while you were growing up vs. now?). Mandated reporters (people who, due to their close work with children, are legally obligated to report suspected abuse) were not established until 1974 when the Child Abuse and Treatment Act passed. This act also begun federal funding to all 50 states to prevent, investigate and assess child abuse cases.

Further, it would be interesting to see how these statistics define “child abuse.” Unfortunately, some children deemed victims of child abuse are ultimately victims of poverty. Stories come to my mind of families torn apart due to unsafe living conditions that were a direct result of landlord neglect and the ghetto-ization of low-income people or parents who were working but poor and couldn’t afford all their bills and to put food on their table.

Lastly, any person who would claim “abortion prevents child abuse” is not clearly thinking through their pro-choice logic. Yes, in some select cases a continued pregnancy would have resulted in the child being abused, but ultimately this claim is anti-woman, assuming there are some women who just shouldn’t be parents- almost mandating abortion in certain cases. Hard to prove tangents just take away from our message. If we are to ever have a truly united force for reproductive justice, we must squarely keep the focus for abortion on the woman and what she wants for herself, her family (if applicable) and her future.

May's Call-In Show Posted on You Tube!

I didn't post that the show was uploaded to youtube last week due to Dr. Tiller's assassination. But here it is, and I hope you watch all three parts!

Leading Abortion Provider?

Well I thought I would throw my two cents in since I saw Brittany received a comment to her post about FPA's recent billboards around town. Wait....backup...not around town just in poor communities of color. I think that is what the disgusting thing is about it. I'm not sure what they are trying to convey with this type of advertising. Someone told me that they saw a billboard in a Latino community where it didn't have "Leading Abortion Provider" but instead said: "Free Pregnancy Testing". I have yet to see any of these billboards in affluent predominately white neighborhoods or neighborhoods that are undergoing gentrification.

So my question goes back to why poor communities of color? I mean if it was advertised everywhere I might think differently....and I'm for a woman's choice. But come on! What's up with that? Is it some racial stuff? Inquiring minds want to know so we are sending a letter to FPA for some answers!

Peace!

Gaylon

??????

There are a lot of public ads throughout the low income neighborhoods stating how one clinic is "leading abortion provider". The first time I read I had to do a double- take. Abortion is a serious decision and not something to be taken lightly. It was a very difficult choice for me as I know it is for many women. I'm just disgusted.