I would like to offer an alternate perspective in the discussion of the memorial to victims of abortion. Regardless of where one stands on the issue of legalized abortion, memorials such as this one ought to be seen not as a judgement upon women, but a support to women experiencing the aftermath of what Jocelyn Szczepaniak-Gillece calls a "violating and shattering experience."

I became acutely aware of the truth of her description while working in crisis pregnancy and post-abortion counseling for a secular non-profit organization. A young woman who was having difficulty coping with her abortion contacted me. Her family and her church were pro-choice; they had supported her decision, yet she suffered tremendously.

After talking at some length with her, we decided to go together to visit a memorial similar to the one on this campus. She wept. She prayed. She grieved the loss of her child. She was grateful for the gift of the memorial placed by people whom she would never meet. They gave her what no one in her pro-choice circle had been able to give: a recognition of her pain.

If it is true that there are, "many, many women on campus who have had abortions," then it is equally as likely that there are many, many women on campus who suffer. Szczepaniak-Gillece pleads, "If you have any humanity whatsoever, stop victimizing them."

I agree; we know that many women experience abortion as a violating and shattering experience; let us not force them to suffer alone by our silence. Let us welcome them to grieve openly for the loss of their children.

Salvatrice Murphy

graduate student

off-campus

February 27, 2001

• Chris Schafer
  
• Quote of the Day
  
• Debating a different perspective of the statue
  
• Debating a different perspective of the statue