Let me start by saying, abortion is a VERY difficult, heart-wrenching issue in which a man can never truly appreciate its full depth. However, it transcends politics and cuts right to the core of our humanity. At some point, we reap from the efforts we've set forth to define who we are and how we value life, on both ends of the chronological spectrum. We live in a culture that is fascinated with death. Our tv shows are saturated with it, our video games explode with it, and our music celebrates it. The Abortion Issue defines the very core of our society. And it's always worth conversation--the verbal tugging and pulling--and all-the-while moving closer to what it all really truly means. Throw away the semantics. Throw away the politically designed vernacular and let's talk explicitly...not about choice (for a candy bar, soda, school...such an innocuous and ever-evading word 'choice' has become), but about the very future of our beautiful American society.
I've been vocally anti-abortion/pro-child (any child, any defect, any circumstance) since I did a persuasive speech in Mrs. Jennings 8th grade class (she was an AMAZING teacher). The politics of abortion weren't as intense then, at least in the public schools. I was able to speak honestly and factually about it, undeterred by the censors of today's public education system.
Flash forward to the bizarre, upside-down rationale of today's society and it's considered increasingly intolerant and ignorant to discuss openly and honestly the issue of abortion than to simply subscribe to the slogan-based, celebrity-led, chic status of the pro-choice (Pro-Abortion) crowd. Planned Parenthood, like PETA, has a penchant for the extreme offense. It makes for great PR. But their efforts take us no closer to the truth, and certainly no closer to any common ground (not that common ground is the highest virtue). Seemingly content to shout obnoxiously than converse meaningfully, Planned Parenthood continues to flaunt its hypocrisy when it comes to privacy. Recently, they fought against the seizing of personal records of abortion patients by the State Attorney General of Indiana who sought the records of 84 clients (allegedly under the age of 14). Planned Parenthood filed suit claiming, primarily, a breach of 'constitutionally protected' privacy.
It's funny how privacy is such a convenient weapon.
Planned Parenthood (on their website originally and now through surrogates such as www.clamormagazine.com) is more than eager to sell shirts for women to publicly proclaim "I HAD AN ABORTION"...a triumphant statement, an action steeped in pride, a mantra for a brave new generation of young women? What happened to the ever sacred privacy? Safe, legal and rare is a myth. Abortion is a multi-billion dollar industry, and apparently apparel adds some more zeros to this industry's yearly figures.
Ryan Scott Bomberger is a media professional serving as a Creative Director in Atlanta, GA.
© 2006 Ryan Scott Bomberger. For more information, visit: http://www.thisisryan.com
