Reply #160: Um.... think again.... [View All]

Most women know how unsafe it is to state that they've had abortions in certain crowds. Most of the women I know who have had them don't tell ANYONE outside of a VERY small circle. So, the idea that most people know that someone has had an abortion is not likely. Yes, they may know a woman, and she has had one, but I doubt she's told everyone who knows her...

I probably know which of my girlfriends have because I'm so open about mine. And as a result, they know that they can talk to me if it's something they have to choose.

Another benefit of telling (not bragging!) is that you can support someone else who is making "the choice". If you don't tell, folks won't know that they can turn to you. Yes, it's nice to be able to go to a clinic and not get lynched, but it's not the same as having a FRIEND in your corner.

BTW... there's pro-choice and there's pro-choice. A lot of people say that they are pro-choice but they are still horrified at the thought of abortion, and don't want to discuss it, and probably wouldn't want to help a woman who was making the choice. There are PRO-CHOICE people who judge. They believe that it should be legal, but they still look down on those who would have one.

So, a "pro-choice" shirt doesn't convey the same message as "yes, I had one. Thank goodness I had the right to choose."

Maybe that's what the shirt should say: "Thank goodness I had the right to choose."

It's not so in your face... it doesn't suggest that it was an easy decision.

Let me know what you think...