Damn protesters! or Going to the Movies
Shan posted a little about the surprising site we saw when hading back from lunch on Sunday. The fact that those people had their kids out there doing their dirty work was just terrible. Okay, fine, I respect your beliefs and your need to express them. I have no problem with that. but at least wait until your children can make up their own mind before you send them out, protesting something that they most likely have no idea about. Especially something like abortion, where most of the grown men can’t possibly know enough, let alone the little kiddies.
Anyways, I just wanted to say a little something about that.
Besides that, let me officially announce a new feature here at BradBice.com. I’ve alwasy wanted to post movie reviews, and now I have. On the front page, and maybe on an upcoming ‘Movies’ page, I’ll list all of the latest movies I’ve seen plus a rating from 1-10 stars. And I’ll probably write a little something if it’s deserved. That’s it.
Edit: It’s now on it’s own page!
Ok, come back soon!
Tags: breathingfire.com, life, movies, rant, Shannon
I like the grown men bit, I didn’t even include that. But very good point!
Isnt this the same for any other issue? What is parenting if you arent instilling values in your children that you think are important? This is an extreme example, taking your kids to protest with you; that might be going too far, but I think that’s what these parents are trying to do, right? Instill values? Show your children what you think is important and to speak up when you think something isn’t right?
It would probably be better to leave the kids with a babysitter and explain why mommy and daddy are going to do what they do, but I see where theyre coming from. Not that that makes it right, but I can see where they’re coming from. Not to mention the fact that abortion is an issue that intimately involves children, and arguably, children who aren’t given an opportunity to voice any opinion.
I’m not taking sides here, I’m just playing devil’s advocate. Abortion is a polarizing issue, and I think it’s interesting that it’s generally split down the middle in regard to conservatives and liberals. In my opinion, those who claim to be pro-life should probably be putting themselves in the mothers’ position more often, and those who claim to be pro-choice should probably be asking themselves if allowing this decisions is really so socially just. The key for this issue, as so many others, is understanding and respecting different opinions. There really are genuine, caring people who have good intentions on both sides of this issue, and that’s important to understand. And I dont think protesting is usually rooted in the desire to understand and cooperate, so maybe it’s not a step in the right direction.
Anyhoo, that’s my take.
I agree that maybe these parents think they are doing the right thing by bringing their children along to show them they are standing up for what they think is right. Having the children, who most likely aren’t educated or experienced enough to have manifested their own opion on the subject, speak out for it one way or the other by holding signs? That’s not right, I believe. A lot of those kids were bouncing up and down with the signs because it was something fun or different to do, not because they really think that abortion is bad. Unless they’ve had extensive talks with their parents about the issue.
You’re right, the whole abortion issue isn’t as black and white as it’s made out to be. you hear either “Pro-Choice” or “Pro-life” all the time. It’s just not that easy in a lot of cases.
Protesting just gives off a negative vibe, one that this particular issue doesn’t need any more of.
Thanks for the comments, Scott.
Sheesh. Yeah, I’m pretty polarized with this. I’m about 5 blocks from 2 of these “Women’s Clinics”. Why are they called that? Are doctors in there practicing medicine and curing people from diseases?
I used to be somewhat ambivalent on the issue, but over the years I have reflected, researched, discussed and done everything on this issue I could possibly do — and concluded it’s simply inhumane.
But anyway, now you know my stand… back to your post. I don’t think I’d bring my kids to any protest or rally. Like Scott said, maybe the parent’s logic was to influence someone split on the issue, like, “look, I chose lifeâ€. And those rallies do create change for some contemplating, although maybe not so much in Jackson. I don’t know if it still has a “clinicâ€.
Thanks for the profound posts.
Bradbice.com: Profound content served up once every six months.
I think it’s interesting that mine and Brad’s discussions on using children to express a parent’s opinion has inevitably also become a discussion on abortion and choice. Because it’s such a polarizing issue, I guess it’s irresitable.
Regarding the children holding signs… I can agree with Scott and say I see where the parents are coming from. But that doesn’t make it right. What I said to Brad earlier is that what if I saw this demonstration and wanted more information, so I pulled over? If I asked an adult, they could tell me why they’re there, what they believe, what the demonstration is all about. If I asked their five-year old child, all he or she could do is regurgitate some words their parents have fed them. Obviously kids will learn and usually adopt their parents beliefs; I hope my kids learn mine! But there’s a difference between teaching them values and dragging them to the streets to hold a sign that displays your own opinions on such a dividing issue. In this case, the children, I believe, were more or less being used as simply an extra body in a large demonstration.
And regarding abortion, let’s be clear that the opposite of pro-choice is not pro-life: it’s anti-choice. I don’t like abortion any more than those demonstraters, or any more than Adam above. I will always encourage other women to choose other options, and I will never choose an abortion for myself. But after just as much reflection, research, and contemplation, I cannot be convinced that that choice should be taken away from me. That the government should choose for me. And I’m so grateful that my boyfriend loves and respects me and all women enough to agree with my (our) right to choose.