Right to life not about abortion
Natalie Hock
Regina South Hall
Last week must have been Right to Life Week. Unfortunately, I got the impression that it was anything but. I believe it was Monday morning of last week when I was greeted by hundreds of white crosses sticking out of the ground on the Saint Mary's green.
At first, I wondered if perhaps they had something to do with the recent 6,000 innocent American civilian deaths, or maybe they were there to pay tribute to military heroes, since what I saw before me resembled a miniature version of Arlington Cemetery.
I could not have been further from the truth. These crosses were to signify the babies that are aborted each year in the United States. A banner explained the presence of these crosses with: America kills twice the population of Saint Mary's each year.
As a student presently calling Saint Mary's College my home, I was bothered and not a little shocked. The abortion issue is a highly debated, uncompromising issue. Yet no one ever speaks about the issue of Right to Lifers who bomb abortion clinics, killing people in the name of life, in the name of God. Why does it not occur to them that they are killing mothers, wives, aunties, daddies and brothers who may be the sole support for an entire family or for their aging parents?
Especially recently, it seems so simple for the average American Christian to point the finger at Muslims, calling their religion tainted, corrupted or even just plain all wrong. Are we choosing to forget the crusades, the selling of indulgences and some of the real reasons for traditions in the Catholic Church? Jesus was a simple man with straightforward messages. I feel like I often receive complicated mixed messages in this higher education environment, and even in the homilies of my small-town priests. Just last weekend, before the beginning of Right to Life week, I was at home with my parents for Church. The priest began talking about abortion with his story about a bumper sticker that said, "Choose Life. Your parents did." I found it interesting, that in this time of what should be national cohesion, a time of inner compassion and strength, we could to talk about issues that further divide people and manage to act as if the world isn't changing around us. Yes, we all may not be directly affected, and no, I don't advocate constant worry and fear and morbidity.
On another note, I found it even more interesting that the priest seemed to think he could talk about the abortion issue as if he could ever on God's green earth fully experience it and all its implications and consequences.
Why is it then whenever people talk about the abomination of abortion, they never counter it with a "Well, I know I have two tests this week, but maybe we should go volunteer our time at the local women's shelter," or "Let's donate this month's paycheck to Birthright?" Rather than lamenting about what is done and gone, let us pour our energy into supporting those women who have chosen life, that need help, that need time, that need money. There is no progress in idle talk.
Put yourself in the place of a young Saint Mary's College woman, attempting to let go of her past, attempting to come to grips with decisions she has made or was forced to make by parents or advised to make by her doctor. Perhaps she was a rape victim, and on her way to class this is what stares her in the face, as if it wasn't already on her mind every second. This is her home, too. She should be able to feel at home, feel safe and feel worthy.
Furthermore, in light of recent events, perhaps Right to Life week should've been celebrated in a different context. Perhaps the focus should have been on the heroism and undying hope of the New York volunteer workers determined to uncover and sustain the American right to life and freedom.
Natalie Hock
Regina South Hall
Oct. 12, 2001
All Viewpoint Stories for Monday, October 15, 2001
