“Abortion. How many times have I said ‘abortion’ already in this speech?...It’s not a bad word. It’s a fundamental part of women’s reproductive health.” -Laura Pankins (paraphrased). I heard these words while, ironically, sitting in a chapel. A religious meeting ground where I usually envision people gathering to condemn such matters. However, today, the elevated ceilings rang with empowerment.
Are you pro-choice or pro-life? What about pro-women? Women making choices that’s right for themselves. The great thing about feminism is that whatever you believe, you have the right to express your opinions, morals, and actions without judgement. Pro-choice does not necessarily means pro-abortion. It means having the choice between keeping the child, giving it up for adoption, or having an abortion without judgement, guilt, or reprimand. Laura Pankins focused today on abortion, treating it as a health issue. Its enlightening to hear kind, reassuring words in a confident manner. Abortion is usually talked about in a tip-toe type fashion. You don’t hear people talking about it on the bus or over dinner or even in sexual health education classes. But why is something that 1 in 3 women experience kept such a secret to the general public? Women should not fear being criticized by their life choices. Society treats the topic as abortion similar to an abusive relationship. At first, talking about abortion in one setting or as a hypothetical situation seems fine. Actually considering an abortion or going to an abortion clinic is another story. Women find themselves being berated, intimidated, guilted, and even put in physical endangerment by both mean and women who don’t agree. Even if people don’t particularly agree that abortion is the right choice for them does not mean they get to exercise the right to harass, belittle, and endanger people with different opinions. In 2015 for god’s sake and yet people still act like animals. We can all express our opinions in a calm matter. But abortion isn’t an opinion that should designate legality, only personal decision.