For the first time in my life, I agree with Cecile Richards. As a longtime, dedicated pro-life activist, I never thought I would be able to say I agree with one of the most prominent abortion advocates, but I guess we were bound to agree on something at some stage.
The headline of a recent Time article by Richards, CEO of the Planned Parenthood, reads: “We need to talk – really talk – about abortion. America has an urgent need for authentic public dialogue on abortion.” Richards went on to discuss various women’s abortion stories and used it as an opportunity to challenge the American people “to talk about abortion.”
I completely agree, but it needs to be an “authentic public dialogue” and all points of view need to be represented, especially the various perspectives of women. For years, “feminists” like Richards, Gloria Steinam, Hillary Clinton, and others completely avoided the word “abortion” and instead focused on euphemisms like “choice,” “women’s rights,” and “reproductive justice.” Richards’ piece mentions abortion a total of 18 times, which is a dramatic change from the usual rhetoric from Richards and her feminist cohorts.
It’s the Left’s avoidance of the “authentic” abortion dialogue that has brought us to where we are today and not the other way around. And even when the Left does talk about abortion, it’s always completely one-sided and always in favor.
There’s Not Just One View about Abortion
In Richards’ article, she points to examples in popular culture that she feels are honest representations of women’s abortion stories. But her examples are completely one-sided.
Jemima Kirke, best known for her role in the HBO series “Girls,” discussed the trials and tribulations of her abortion, and how she hoped her children wouldn’t know “the luggage of being a woman.” Richards also pointed to the few films and television shows that have portrayed women’s abortion stories: “For years there have been few honest portrayals about abortion in film and television.” It’s interesting that the only film and television portrayals of abortion that she mentions are the ones that favor abortion and those that promote Richards’ billion-dollar abortion business, Planned Parenthood.
Richards fails to mention films like “Knocked Up,” “Juno,” “Bella,” “Away We Go,” and most recently, “Gimme Shelter.” Each of these movies show real-life situations where women were pregnant in less-than-ideal circumstances, but rose above the challenges they faced and chose life for their children. In these films, abortion is not seen as empowering to women, but rather, the fullness of empowerment arrives when women give life to another.
Women are so powerful that they are able to actually bring life into existence. Talk about women’s empowerment.
Nobody Really Wants to Have an Abortion
Abortion advocates and organizations like Planned Parenthood try to normalize abortion. “Everybody’s doing it” and “it’s not a big deal.” “Safe, legal, and rare” are no longer in their vocabulary.
They love movies like “Obvious Child,” the first-ever “abortion romantic comedy”, because it tries to turn abortion into something normal and funny, and just a part of life. But there’s nothing funny about abortion. This is disingenuous to women everywhere who have suffered lifelong consequences from their abortion decision.
No matter what side of the political aisle you are on, we can all agree that abortion is a difficult decision that few actually want to go through. “16 and Pregnant” stars Catelynn Lowell and Tyler Baltierra gave their daughter up for adoption and are now strong pro-life advocates, who promote life in all circumstances. Another “16 and pregnant” star, Jamie McKay, speaks openly about the abortion she chose “out of fear” and regrets.
Richards wrote in her article about singer Nicki Minaj’s abortion, but failed to mention that Minaj has been quoted as saying that the abortion “has haunted me all my life.” Then there’s singer Toni Braxton, who recently revealed in her memoir “Unbreak My Heart” that her abortion filled her with guilt and remorse. Or Sharon Osbourne, who recently opened up, saying that her abortion “was horrible.”
If we’re going to have a real discussion about abortion, these are the real stories of real women that need to be told. Many women who have had abortions talk about the regret and pain that they’ve struggled with ever since their abortion. Rachel’s Vineyard hosts thousands of women at their retreats each year who have had abortions and are trying to find healing for the pain and regret that they feel.
Yes, Richards, we need to talk about abortion. But if we’re going to talk about abortion, we need to have an “authentic public dialogue,” where both sides of the experience are represented.
