Let's Talk About Abortion

(First posted April 18, 2019)

My mother was raised in an extremely strict, catholic household. Her family went to church every week and she even attended Sunday school. She sent her children, me and my brother, to catholic school for 13 years. To this day, she says the rosary every night and keeps a bible next to her bed. Because she was older when she decided to have children, she dealt with heart breaking miscarriages. Never in her life has she considered abortion as an option, that’s not how she was raised. The funny thing is, she’s pro-choice. This is what I am here to talk to you about today. What it truly means to be pro-choice and why we need to live in such mindset. You guys are probably thinking, “Ok, now this crazy feminist is going to try and convince me to support abortion.”

But what I actually want to accomplish is to explain the reality behind Pro-Choice versus. Pro-Life. I want the story of my mother to inspire how you all think, a religious woman who would have never considered abortion, yet identifies as pro-choice, as she is aware that others grew up with different values that shape their decision-making. I don’t want any of you to change your opinions on abortion, I want you to change how you view this debate as a whole.
To help you understand this “mindset” I’m talking about, I am going to walk you through the problem with pro-life, what motivates people to be against abortion, and what being pro-choice really means.

The problem I have with the Pro-Life side is that it encourages the criminalization of abortions. This manipulates women’s rights as a whole. This is “the land of the free”, but how free are we if women are forced to undergo unwanted pregnancies. I want you to imagine society if abortion actually became illegal. When I think of this, I feel an overwhelming sense of fear and hopelessness. What if I got pregnant? Would I have to use a clothing hanger? Destroy my body?

Now, to all the men out there, I want you to acknowledge that you don’t really need to worry about this. I am not trying to target or attack men by any means, but I want you to recognize that you will never have to make this decision. If there is one thing I know for sure, it’s that you can’t get pregnant. Ever. That is where it’s frustrating. It is not ok for a male dominated government to decide these things. According to the Planned Parenthood, 77% of anti-abortion leaders are male, 100% will never get pregnant. I’m not trying to devalue your opinion by any means, or say that you aren’t allowed to agree or disagree with abortion. I’m saying that your opinion on this matter, under no circumstances, should have any legal right over a woman’s pregnancy.

That being said, I don’t want to just bash pro-lifers. I understand that being pro-life consists of defending the defenseless. It’s speaking up for those who cannot, the unborn children. But to that, I say, it’s just too subjective to be the basis of any legal decisions in America. Who is to say when life begins? Conception? After the fetus stops looking like a sea horse? I have no idea. I also understand that you don’t want to spend your tax dollars on a cause
you don’t support. I wouldn’t want to either. But tax dollars only go to abortions in the cases of rape, incest, or harm to the mother. I don’t know about you guys, but I am perfectly ok with my money going to women who are victims of assault, battery, and rape. If my money is saving a woman from a deadly pregnancy, I think it’s worth it.

Religious ideologies are often responsible for shaping the viewpoints of many individuals who advocate against abortion. In a personal sense, this is fine. If you grew up with certain religious ideals that condemn abortion, ok. However, there should be no laws set in place influenced by religion. I am not claiming that everybody that identifies with Pro-Life is motivated by religious obligations, but it is a very prevalent theme. As a Catholic, I understand. But it is important to note that there are so many people who practice different religions, so many people who don’t, and to place laws motivated by religious obligation isn’t practical or fair since religion isn’t universal. Why should an atheist be forced to give birth because of beliefs that she doesn’t identify with?

That being said, let’s talk about what being pro-choice really means. What are the requirements? What opinions and values do you need to have to identify as pro-choice? The answer, whatever you want. If you think abortion is murder, you can be pro-choice. If you are extremely religious, you can be pro-choice. My favorite quote to summarize pro choice is, “Against abortion? Don’t have one.” It’s that simple.

Until the day I die, I will continue to reiterate this; Pro-Choice is not Pro-Abortion. It is respecting that abortion is a fundamental right. Its understanding that nobody should be denied a safe abortion on the basis of religious or moral beliefs that are extremely unique from individual to individual. This is a much more efficient stance for our country since pro-life and pro-choice aren’t even arguing on the same basis. Pro-Life argues against abortion. Pro-Choice argues against stripping women of their fundamental rights. It argues against judgment. This isn’t a matter of is abortion good or not? Its’s a matter of should people be able to decide for themselves or not? I want you guys to view pro-choice as a mindset. A “you live your life and I’ll live mine” mindset.

I cannot stand here and say that abortion is acceptable, and I cannot stand here and say that abortion is wrong. I haven’t had to make the decision. I’ve never had to go to planned parenthood. I’ve never walked a while in the shoes of somebody who’s done this. I know most of you haven’t either. How is it fair to judge somebody for making a decision that most of us will never have to make or have ever made before? It’s easy to be against abortion when you’ll never need to make that decision. If you think abortion is morally wrong, beautiful. Don’t change your opinion, it’s completely valid. However, don’t force your beliefs on people who have grown up with different values.
I want you guys to live by that because with that mindset, you are pro-choice. I don’t think I'm asking too much. The 2020 elections are coming up, so please, vote with that mindset. Let’s actually make America great again.