I'm am currently a first years student and being an art student we use past experiences as source of insparation. This particular experience has haunted me for over a year.
I never really thought of myself as the conservative or religious type, in fact such people make a little nervous. I can't imagine there only being one right path in life. I rather prefered to see myself as an open minded, forward thinking person. So when it came to the pro-choice or pro-life debate I planted myself firmly on the pro choice podium and nothing anyone said could have moved me from that spot.
With my firm views I entered grade 12, little did I know that already my podium was cracking beneath me.
In July of that year my friend told me she was pregnant. Being the Biology minded person and a good friend I was instantly at her side supporting her and advising her. As the concept of her pregnancy settled into my mind already my opinions started changing. But it was her choice, I wouldn't have tried to force anything on her. After a few weeks it seemed she's had come to a decision, termination. I understood her reasons and reassured her that she would be fine. School closed for a long weekend and she "went away".
When school opened again she returned and life went on, the problem was gone. But as I greeted her that morning I would have never expected the awful feeling that settled over me. I can't explain it. I just couldn't wrap my mind around the idea that there was once a living being inside my friend, and that it was gone now. In that instant my podium crumbled as I realised just how much that little life could have meant.
Of course I never shared this view with my friend but then again, I didn't need to. She felt the same as I did. I don't think her or my life will ever be the same. I think we both understand that pro-life isn't just a concept that you throw around. It's a feeling deep down that it gained by experience.
I'm still an open minded forward thinker, I'm just heading in a different direction.
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Written by mia_ms_kim (1057 comments posted) 20th August 2008 | A thought-provoking piece. Abortion is such an emotional subject. It's striking that you, her friend felt such impact after she terminated the pregnancy. I guess it's something one can know only through experience.
But when I had my own child some years ago, the helpless, defenceless little thing who so depended on me to live, I felt such compassion for him, then for all the abandoned children of the world. From then on I could not dissociate the little clump of cells developing in the womb from a tiny human being.
So I feel for your friend. But I wonder if other mothers feel like I do, or if many women who choose abortion, feel the same way as your friend does. I don't know.
Mia  | Pro-life:
Written by solst (34 comments posted) 21st August 2008 | This is a very important piece of writing in this Community right now.
You may know that Obama supports Pro-choice but has waged a bit of a slanderous war with the Pro-life campaigners.
I cannot remember the lady - a nurse - but she was in part the main cause of a Bill being put forth at state level (Can't remember the state either, or the bill - so sorry, I could find out though, if you want me too) where she testified at a conference that Obama was also at.
This was some time ago, in his early days in politics. This lady was there after witnessing babies born at around 25 weeks ALIVE and then taken to a laundry cupboard, where they die because they were premature. It was legal because of the Intent to terminate the life. That's sickeningly funny. This is quite sad for the human race that such irrational thinking can exist, quite like suicide bombers, but this is something the West - America - has allowed to happen.
Obama didn't support a clause which he agreed to, that was put in the policy (A neutrality clause I think) before going to vote, which would have prevented this from happening: abortions would have still been possible if they were not done in ways then meant babies were born alive and then left to die because they were unable to breathe - their lungs would be too small.
He accepted the clause and supported the bill and then when it passed into vote, he voted against it, even though the same policy has been passed at National level and he had agreed to it. What does he say about this? Everyone is lying. Pro Choice means we can all do what we like, doesn't it? If that were what any of these politicians wanted, would they not turn America into a Democracy? It never has been and never will be. It was never supposed to be. 51% of the vote says sex in public is acceptable. So it passes. Then a few people change their mind after being shunned by their mate because of over zealous behaviors. Now the 51% majority make it illegal to have sex in public and to kill those that do. Someone does it, the world is in uproar. Now 51% think they murderers should go to jail, but they previous 51% set everyone free. And so on. It.s nuts. There has to be order. A constitutional republic.
Anyway, back to the nurse: she has photo's of the new linen cupboard, after she went to the administrators. They knew what was happening and after the exposure, re-decorated. It has a Baptism alter. A panoramic photo machine. A footprint copier - where you can take the dead babies foot print and keep it as a reminder. This is all available on Google, but I haven't the time for the research.
Pro-choice makes it possible to make the wrong choices. Pro- life keeps people alive, just like we do animals. Take a cat, a scrawny little tramp alley cat (I like Cats by the way) and poke it in one eye with a coat hanger (Come on, it would hurt it, but it'd live, right?) and if caught, you would in todays western Republics, be punished, severely.
If you threw a puppy into a pond, there would be outrage. Leave a horse in a field and let it get a bit unhealthy and the police will come and take it away, hold a court hearing, ban you from owning pets. Get pregnant because you are an ignorant and inconsiderate imbecile and you can commit a legal murder.
We are talking about babies born alive, just too early. This is the induced pregnancy abortion. Awful stuff.
I don't dislike anyone who doesn't want children, but am offering an alternative opinion to what my silence may suggest. Sometimes it is necessary. I am against babies being born alive and then left to die because they are too you to live. I much prefer them not being created, or if it has to be done, terminated in the womb. If it is too much for the mother to handle, then maybe the baby should be born. How traumatic can mother hood be. It is a blessing, even if people don't realize it at the time.
That is the difference.
A very necessary bit of writing. One thing I noticed was: make a little nervous...but then I have probably written all sorts of rubbish here.
Disclaimer: I am a writer. I write what I think NEEDS to be written. |
Written by Fledermaus (3506 comments posted) 21st August 2008 | I would expect a lot of reviews on this one, as it's such a controversial issue. I do wonder why people have (unprotected) sex if they are not willing to take the consequences... Most people know where babies come from and being drunk or in love are no excuses.
In some cases it's a grey area, but I think society should never take it lightly. | Quick correction
Written by BlueSteaksDarkAngel (5 comments posted) 21st August 2008 | | Thank you Solst for pointing out the error. The line is supposted to read "...in fact such people make me a little nervous." |
Written by mia_ms_kim (1057 comments posted) 22nd August 2008 | I had another thought about this. I think I would feel violated if someone thought they would get rid of me from my mother's womb, even if I was just a clump of cells or just a fertilised egg. I'd rather be born than be terminated in-utro. I want to exist. (Some people might not feel that way, I understand.)
I remember long ago, watching Hillary Clinton in a pro-choice ralley, speaking passionately about her stance. A thought struck me then, that Hillary Clinton was born. I had a feeling Hillary Clinton herself would rather be born than be terminated in-utero. I'm not mocking her. I think many peopke would feel it would have been such a loss if she had been silenced before she was even given a chance to speak.
Anyway, my 2c worth again.
Mia |
Written by Emmuttmax (203 comments posted) 30th August 2008 | Dark Angel,
A very straightforward examination of your feelings about a hot-button issue, written without the holier-than-thou, propagandist attitude of solst.
I admire your piece, even though I am pro-choice. |
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