CHOICE WORDS
Twice this week JW headlines have
referred to pro-life activists as “ANTI-ABORTION”. It gets so old, this use of words to
manipulate readers in the name of ‘objective’ journalism. Are people who are fighting for the lives of
unborn children never to be called “Pro Life”?
Are those who prefer that women retain the right to kill the babies
never to be called “Anti-Life” or “Anti-Child”?
Must you always describe us as “OPPOSING” abortion, or could it be that
we are actually “PROTECTING RIGHTS OF CITIZENS” or “SUPPORTING HUMAN
RIGHTS”? When 140 idealistic young
people undertake an arduous pilgrimage just to demonstrate solidarity with the
defenseless and voice their affirmation of the highest possible understanding
of human dignity can’t you do more than observe them going on an anti-choice
field trip? The people you help demonize as anti-rights, anti-women are
humanitarians of the highest order – investing selflessly in the lives of
powerless people, taking time to remind society of what it means to be human,
to be humane, and grieving over lives needlessly lost and women needlessly
violated. Surely, with Martin Luther
King celebrations just over, you can imagine the impact you might have for good
by describing this fight as one for JUSTICE to every human being, black, white,
male, female, born and unborn. Haven’t
we learned yet that there are no
people-that-aren’t-really-human? It’s
time to use words to protect them all.