I am so mad right now I could punch a kitten. This is out of disgust and repulsion at the depths these pro lifers have stooped to shock University of Calgary students into believing their message.
Now I realize that this is a touchy subject with most people and everyone has their side of the line they stand on. That's perfectly okay. Its great to have beliefs and stick to them as much as you want. I will not take a side one way or the other. Because it is not my right to try and persuade you to this side or the other. That's is not why I am angered at these idiots.
I will take a step back and describe what happened to get me so mad.
I was assigned to go to the University of Calgary to shoot and interview an anti abortion display that was in the middle of one of their main court yards. As I approached this display I noticed they were not alone. Across the path from the display was a pro choice group doing their best to give the other side of the argument. Back to the story.
So as I get closer I see that the University put a disclaimer that they didn't approve of the display ahead and that all requests for their display were ignored. For example. They were to turn the pictures inward so people could walk around inside without the images disturbing others walking around the campus. Well they did the opposite despite the requests and the University didn't do anything to correct this. Okay, fine, they were given some leniency.
As I approach the display all the same images of fetuses and aborted bits in a bloody pool were there for all to see. That is the typical images to shock and awe passer by's. Then with a closer look I also see images I couldn't believe they would put with already disturbing pictures.
They actually have now taken their anti abortion campaign and associated it with the genocide of WWII. They had the balls to put pictures of dead Jewish people from the second world war and put them along side these fetuses. REVOLTING. Then I saw a picture of a black man hanging by a noose beside more graphic fetus pictures. What does that have to do with abortions? Go ask the nut bars running the thing.
As a guy who tries to look at every side of a debate I can see the reason why they want to get their message out to the public. It's important to them and I am sure a few people find it very informative and will join their cause. But for them to now take their cues of dirty PR from the disgusting members of PETA revolts me. Taking images of very painful memories and history of one culture and twisting the message for the most dramatic shock value is the lowest of the low. It makes their cause seem dirty and repulsive for anyone who is educated to even want to have the same opinion as them.
The Jewish community are a proud and great culture who were, for lack of better terms, hunted down like animals and exterminated by a viscous German leader who everyone now condemns. To bring those hurtful images together with this filth insults a culture.
And to also associate the hunting and disgraceful hanging of black people with abortions is yet another way of shock value marketing. Twisting the meaning of the image to suit your purposes takes away the very importance of the original image for that culture. For them it screams "Never again". When associated beside the images displayed it takes away that important message for the culture.
I have to say that in past years this group has been vocal and has had their fair share of problems with the university. But they had a responsible message and gave it with a respectful manner. This year was shocking and appalling. Please go back to being respectful to people and your message will not be cluttered with hatred for what your displaying.
And yes the message is important to get out for both sides. All women need to get the right information to make an educated decision about their body and what may grow inside it. They need to know what an abortion is all about. Pro choicers need to be able to give their information too. Fair is fair.
Lets just leave this personal decision to the women please. And leave the dramatic PETA style media bombardment of shocking images home. Thank you.
Ciao for Now
You're missing the point Rob.
ReplyDeleteThis group is trying to sensitize people to the death of the unborn.
German society dehumanized the Jews and made it okay for them to be exterminated. Racism in America caused lynchings, but it was seen as okay since slaves weren't really people.
In our society today, the unborn are innocent victims in the same way. Voiceless...and at the mercy of those who would deny their humanity and allow them to be killed.
100,000 abortions in Canada every year have added up to millions over the decades. The equivocation of genocide is an honest one.
Abortion is a volatile topic with many people having heart-felt views.
ReplyDeleteMy opinion, and it is only mine and is not meant to upset anyone, is that it is the person's choice. Who do these hard-core anti-abortionists think they are that they can take away my right to choose what is right for me? Are these people going to pay me my wages for when I can't work while pregnant? Are they going to chip in for baby-sitters and diapers and food for a child that I "may" or "may not" want?
They say to put the child up for adoption. There are still 9 months of expenses that I might not be able to afford. There are also the horror stories you can hear about adoptive families and foster homes that would make me "not" want to put a child up for adoption.
On the other hand, there are women out there that use abortion as birth control and they are the ones that give the whole thing a bad name.
People should be more responsible for their actions. If you don't want kids, take steps to make that "not" happen. I'm 40 years old and I never wanted kids, I don't have any, nor have I ever been pregnant. Education is what they should be focussing on, free birth control methods for people that can't afford it, not pictures of dead Jewish people or hangings.
I'm truly disgusted with the way these people tried to get their opinions across, using other people's horrors like that. It sounds like these particular people think their honest respect for human life isn't enough, they have to bring out scare tactics to "make" people change their minds.
I bet there were a few people who walked by saying to themselves that if this is what being anti-abortionists is all about then they don't want anything to do with it. This means that pro-choice likely gained a few members.
It is an extreme tactic, and not one I'd employ, but those little ones, yes those babies are being killed. To bad they mix a profoundly important message with hatred.
ReplyDeleteTurns out extremism is bad!
Rebuttal to Jennifer:
ReplyDelete"Who do these hard-core anti-abortionists think they are that they can take away my right to choose what is right for me? Are these people going to pay me my wages for when I can't work while pregnant? Are they going to chip in for baby-sitters and diapers and food for a child that I "may" or "may not" want?"---
Why don't you hold the same opinion for children who have already been born?
"They say to put the child up for adoption. There are still 9 months of expenses that I might not be able to afford. There are also the horror stories you can hear about adoptive families and foster homes that would make me "not" want to put a child up for adoption."---
So killing your unborn baby is the more merciful solution? The potential for abuse, means surgical dismemberment in the womb is better?
"Education is what they should be focussing on, free birth control methods for people that can't afford it, not pictures of dead Jewish people or hangings."----
Birth control is affordable by everyone...it doesn't always work....and a culture of promiscuity brings more unwanted pregnancy.
"It sounds like these particular people think their honest respect for human life isn't enough, they have to bring out scare tactics to "make" people change their minds."----
Forcing people to confront the reality of abortion...(the destruction of human life), isn't a scare tactic. It's shedding light on what kind of "choice" is being made.
"I bet there were a few people who walked by saying to themselves that if this is what being anti-abortionists is all about then they don't want anything to do with it. This means that pro-choice likely gained a few members."-----
If people are introduced to the notion that unborn babies are being dismembered in the name of "choice" and can then be EVEN MORE pro-choice, that's a deeper problem.
Rubuttal to Old Ollie:
ReplyDelete"It is an extreme tactic, and not one I'd employ, but those little ones, yes those babies are being killed. To bad they mix a profoundly important message with hatred. Turns out extremism is bad!"----
What's extreme is that Canada is the only country in the world with unrestricted, taxpayer funded, mass abortion.
100,000 abortions a year and no protection for the unborn.
Sad.
Good point - but their actions may push people to the wrong camp.
ReplyDelete