About Choice

I hesitate to write this but apparently in 2011 the world is not done with the debate over abortion. Yesterday, there was a very obvious protest on campus waged a few metres from the entrance to my workplace. There stood a few solemn people with placards showing the typically graphic images so common in “pro-life” campaigns.¹ Not far away was a tent labeled “Shame Free Zone” that was abuzz with activity and “pro-choice” information.

You notice I put the titles of both camps in quotation marks — because each camp refers to the other as “anti” what they are “pro” (e.g. anti-life and anti-choice). Really though, it’s not that simple. There are many reasons why women have abortions — some of which I find much easier to understand than others but whether I understand or not, it doesn’t matter. Ultimately, the decision should be the woman’s to make.²

I’m sad that as a community we can’t  get to a point where this debate can be set aside and we can just support each other as human beings who sometimes have to make tough decisions.

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¹For an example of the images, here is a link to a photo that shows not only them but a rather whimsical moment of protest. But you’ve been warned, these images are graphic and the language on the page is, well, strong.
²This is very much in line with my feeling about free speech and anti-censorship: whether or not I like or agree with what you have to say has no bearing on your right to say it.

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