How the pro-life position aligns with progressive values
With a new Mississippi abortion law challenging Roe v. Wade being brought before the Supreme Court this 2021-22 term, the abortion debate has once again been brought to the forefront. The issue has been highly politicized, with positions on it often falling on partisan lines. Generally speaking, liberals believe mothers should have a right to choose, while conservatives believe what they see as a child should have a right to life.
Our school and community highly value the protection of marginalized communities. Whether it’s those affected by racial injustices, those vulnerable to sexual violence, immigrants, as well as many other groups, we take numerous steps individually and as a school to stand up for these people in our classes, extracurriculars, and personal lives.
As Ella Duus, the founder and chair of Young Pro-Life Democrats (YPLD), a subset of the Democrats for Life of America (DLFA), says, “Progressivism is all about equality and nonviolence.”
Duus was pro-choice until her freshman year of high school. She saw a video by pro-life organization Live Action that featured a former abortionist, Anthony Levatino, describe how different types of abortions are conducted. “This ignited what can best be described as a queasiness with abortion that precipitated further research into the personhood of the preborn child, which led to my becoming pro-life once realizing this violence was being carried out against a person,” she said.
That the unborn are human is a scientific fact. One reason some believe abortion is justified is because they believe in a distinction between the start of human life and the start of personhood. The unborn seem too undeveloped (“clump of cells”) or too dependent on their mothers. (The landmark case Roe v. Wade limited abortion restrictions before the baby could survive outside of the womb.)
However, these judgments seem misguided and go against the values our community holds. We fight for those who are young (Oak Park and River Forest have an infant welfare society) or dependent on others (such as people with preexisting conditions) all the time. As we should; the fact these groups are young, dependent, or vulnerable compels us to fight for them all the more.
“No one is more vulnerable than the preborn,” Duus said. We need to look past the commonly accepted cloudiness answering the question of when personhood begins. Nobody has ever, under any circumstances, presented a fair justification for the denial of personhood to any human life on the basis of size, location, dependence, or any other factors. Furthermore, a brief remembrance of world history makes clear how crucial it is that we apply our principles of human rights and personhood consistently.
“As the party of universal human rights, the Democratic party should truly affirm the human rights of the most vulnerable in society, including the preborn, who are incapable of advocating for or protecting themselves,” Duus said.
Another chief reason people support the legality of abortion is out of concern for mothers. This is a concern we should all share, but that concern cannot come at the expense of our youngest Americans. We must work to build a society compassionate towards all: the preborn, their mothers, and those who have had abortions or are considering it. “The root causes of abortion- poverty, lack of social support, etc., must be addressed,” Duus said.
There are no easy answers in the abortion debate, but there are right answers, regardless of political ideology. OPRF, let’s extend our compassion and care to the unborn. If we support human rights, we need to support them from womb to tomb.
fella • Feb 7, 2023 at 9:25 am
commenting so 69 comments hehehehe
Ryan L • Apr 4, 2022 at 10:03 pm
It’s always cool to hear new perspectives.
Kris • Mar 3, 2022 at 8:03 pm
Let’s break down your argument. While I don’t agree with the backlash you are getting, this is a very politicized HUMAN RIGHTS issue.
Your only source was a freshman female that had associated abortions with queasiness. As a comment had been stated, people get many surgeries that are not pleasant to look at, yet we do not ban them. Even if it was quoted by a female that doesn’t mean that this isn’t a violation of women’s rights extending to human rights because women are HUMAN and not just “mothers.” There are so many other things that define women besides just giving birth. And there are other people that give birth because whether you think it’s “stupid” there are more than two sexes and two genders.
In your 5th paragraph, you had stated “that the unborn are human is a scientific fact,” yet there are no sources to support your claim. But don’t worry, I did your research for you. The FETUS does not gain consciousness and doesn’t experience pain until 28-30 weeks of impregnation. Most abortions happen at 13 weeks. This was quoted by the CDC.
“No one is more vulnerable than the preborn.” What about black people, gay people, women, indigenous people, Jewish people, disabled people, people that identify anything other than a cis male?
Some had mentioned that your article was also offensive to the disabled. Though I am not disabled, and I will not speak on behalf of the disabled community, people were extremely hurt that you thought disabled people “could not speak for themselves,” and that they had to be babied.
You are also comparing fetuses to the struggles of other marginalized communities. Fetuses do not struggle given that they are not human until we start counting their birth years (when they are out of the womb).
While I do not support those that make fun, that are mean, or bully, you have to understand that these people are completely and utterly hurt. Though that doesn’t excuse their actions.
For people reading this, there is not a lot of education on abortions and we really have only a few classes about those of marginalized communities. So while this op-ed piece highlights the education they have clearly not received, we cannot bully as that does nothing to get our opinion across.
EDUCATE.
Anonymous • Mar 3, 2022 at 8:43 am
When will the MLB lockout end?
Anonymous • Mar 2, 2022 at 9:40 am
Trapeze not publishing an opposing position is not especially unreasonable given I am sure the inverse has occurred many a time before. Anyway, I was pleasantly surprised to see this published at all…
I do generally prefer publishing two positions next to each other, but this is not a universal standard. Either way, the absolute disrespect and seething hatred of those who do not share the exact same ideals and progressive ideology is exactly what is wrong with our political discourse. I wish you all good luck.
Lee • Mar 1, 2022 at 10:46 am
“No one is more vulnerable than the preborn” is an extremely privileged point of view. The unborn have nothing to lose. Meanwhile, we should be focusing on the extreme violence against people of color, members of the LGBTQ+ community, and women. Comparing fetuses to a marginalized group is absolutely absurd.
Secondly, stating that due to the “queasiness” of abortion, it is a fundamental reason for it to be illegal is not a valid argument. There is queasiness associated with heart surgery (a point a friend of mine made) however we do not choose to ban all heart surgery simply because it is difficult for many people to watch.
Additionally, just because someone is dependent on another most definitely does not mean they can be compared to fetuses. If a fetus becomes disconnected from the female body, it will die. If a wheelchair user lacks a mobility aid for a minute, they won’t.
Instead of focusing on fetuses if you are so pro-life, focus on those who are at risk every day, members of ACTUAL marginalized communities. Focus on ending the pandemic and getting vaccinated and doing your part for the collective good. Focus on advocating or the living.
If you don’t want an abortion, don’t get one. If you don’t have a uterus and don’t like abortions, get a vasectomy. But do NOT attempt to dictate what people with uteruses do with THEIR bodies.
(Also, not everyone who gets abortions are women. Any gender can have a uterus)
Anonymous • Mar 1, 2022 at 1:46 pm
What do you mean “Any gender can have a uterus”? Are you implying there are more than 2 genders? Because there aren’t.
Lee • Mar 1, 2022 at 2:18 pm
There are 2 well known biological sexes, male and female. There are also intersex individuals with some combination of the two (such as ones with XXY chromosomes at birth). Then there’s a variety of gender IDENTITIES, such as nonbinary, genderfluid regardless of the gender they were assigned at birth. So therefore any gender identity can have a uterus. There’s a difference between gender and sex!
Anonymous • Mar 1, 2022 at 2:22 pm
That is extremely transphobic and the school should not be allowing people like you to be commenting this sh*t. And even if you’re talking about biological sex, intersex people exist.
Anonymous • Mar 1, 2022 at 3:08 pm
Why do you think there are only two genders? How do you define a gender? Please explain in detail
Anonymous • Mar 2, 2022 at 6:55 am
You know, there used to be just boys and girls, and I have no problem at all with people who are trans but those are still biological boys and girls, and I think that NB is just stupid.
Lee • Mar 2, 2022 at 2:13 pm
Perhaps you think it is stupid because you may not identify as nonbinary. Regardless of whether or not you understand it, everyone is deserving of respect. Throughout history there has always been the existence of a third gender/genderfluid people/ those outside of the binary in several different cultures, it just isn’t really talked about or discussed. Some people feel they don’t fit into either category and that’s okay. Everyone deserves respect.
Kris • Mar 3, 2022 at 7:48 pm
Just because you have an opinion on whether something is stupid doesn’t make it not true. I think pineapple on pizza is stupid but other people may like it.
Isaac • Mar 1, 2022 at 8:32 am
I’ll add my voice to the chorus here:
I like what I believe is the premise of this piece, that the pro-life position and progressivism aren’t mutually exclusive. While I don’t agree with the pro-life movement, I like the idea that political wings need not be simple policy blocs.
I do not like the execution of this piece. You lose me around the fifth paragraph where, instead of continuing your argument about how progressives can be pro-life, you start arguing that this stance is the correct one. This, while related to the topic, is a different argument and your introduction of it muddies the whole article, leading to a piece that doesn’t definitively present a cohesive case for either point.
This all being said, I’m sorry that people are making this personal (not in the comments, but in-person). There is a fine line between vocal disagreement and outright harassment and you don’t deserve the latter no matter how poorly written this article is.
Anonymous • Mar 1, 2022 at 11:03 am
I totally agree
Stacy • Mar 2, 2022 at 1:59 pm
I believe he had no right to comment on this matter, but that doesn’t mean a women should not decide to not keep the fetus. Yes it’s her decision. But God loves all childen!!! Psalm 127:3
Austin • Feb 28, 2022 at 7:55 pm
For the record, I am glad that Trapeze allowed this opinion piece through. Journalism always has the goal of showing all the sides of a story, and I’m glad that this piece has chosen to take a stance against what most of the school, including I, believe in. It’s also sparked conversation in nearly all of my classes today and I’m sorry that there have been some violent reactions.
I am not here to challenge your opinions. You have yours, and I have mine. Regardless (though I’m not attempting to justify any violent or personal backlash this may have gotten), this piece does use some hurtful rhetoric.
In the second paragraph, you’ve written a list of marginalized communities. Later in the piece, these communities are directly compared to the vulnerability of fetuses. This, though I’m sure it was unintentional, takes away the autonomy of these groups. It’s harmful, as it implies that non-marginalized groups (read: the Traditional White Man) are the ones who need to #help# and #have compassion# for these groups. But marginalized people don’t need to be babied.
Similarly, in paragraph six, you describe those who are dependent on others. You use the term “people with preexisting conditions” as an example. I’m going to take this to mean “disabled people”, since I’m assuming you’re not referring to people who have acne conditions or treated and managed dormant diseases. As a disabled person, I was personally hurt by this. I don’t want to be infantilized and compared to a literal fetus, and neither does any other disabled person, I can tell you right now.
Yes, allies are important in a fight for rights and I appreciate that you want to support disabled people. However, we can speak for ourselves. The difference that you’ve chosen to ignore is that a fetus can’t communicate. Marginalized people of any sort do not need you speaking over us to use to prove a point that a large portion of us don’t even believe in. I won’t speak for other communities that I’m not a part of, but I can only assume that they feel the same way.
On a final note, ending the article with a catchy slogan was infuriating. When reading it, I felt like you trampled all over me and my voice and then pretended it was all fine because it ended up cutesy.
Regardless of our different opinions, I wish you no ill will. However, next time, I hope you think longer and harder before you speak. Thank you.
Anonymous • Mar 1, 2022 at 7:23 am
He wasn’t comparing disabled people to fetuses, and taking that from the article shows you are reading in bad faith. His point was merely that a progressive value (concern for the marginalized) could be extended to fetuses, since they are human beings who are marginalized. Also, one can care for marginalized groups without “babying” them, unless you’re suggesting that we should have no concern for marginalized persons in our country.
“I’m going to take this to mean…I was personally hurt by this”.
Another example of a bad faith reading. There’s no need to read a narrative of harm into an opinion piece defending a position held by 47% of Americans. He never implied that disabled or marginalized people can’t speak for themselves, nor did he “speak over you” in sharing his opinion.
Newspaper opinion pieces have long been used for people to express, wait for it, their opinions. The fact that you felt personally victimized by all sorts of strange and biased takeaways says more about you and the narrative you’ve been taught than it does about the strength of the argument presented.
More broadly, the correct way to engage in the open exchange of ideas is to engage with the *ideas*. This comment section is revealing in how few people are willing to do that. I appreciated you willingness to engage with opinions you disagree with, and for your support of them being published in a newspaper.
Patrick • Mar 1, 2022 at 8:54 am
Very well said, I couldn’t agree more
Austin • Mar 1, 2022 at 4:10 pm
Hi, Anonymous! If we want to talk about reading in bad faith, we can start with your interpretation of my comment. I wasn’t saying that the author’s stance is invalid because of the examples he used; in fact, I specifically said that I #wasn’t# challenging his views. I was simply stating that his comparison of marginalized communities to fetuses is harmful, and he should’ve thought further on how the matter could be read before publishing it.
Also, between you and I, my different outlook on life because of our different circumstances doesn’t invalidate my argument. In fact, it is the exact argument I was trying to make. Of all of the disabled people that I have discussed this article with, three out of three of them pointed out the ableist rhetoric almost immediately. You mention “the narrative [I]’ve been taught”, which is actually the exact basis of my comment. I’ve been taught the narrative of marginalized and disabled people because I am a marginalized and disabled person, and that is the reason that I disagree with the choices the author has made.
Again, my argument was not against the viewpoint held in the article, but the choices that the author used to prove his point, which include speaking over disabled people as though we can’t speak for ourselves.
So, congrats. You’ve derailed my argument about not speaking over disabled people by speaking over disabled people. That’s reading in bad faith if I’ve ever heard of it. Have a nice day.
Patrick • Feb 28, 2022 at 7:12 pm
I didn’t find anything in the article that deserved the amount of hate it got.
If you asked me, I’d tell you I’m neither pro-life nor pro-choice, but you don’t need statistics to back up the moral arguments you’re making.
Frankly it’s sad to see that some people can’t tolerate opposing viewpoints.
It’s really terrible how you’ve been treated.
I’d like to get in touch with you
Stay strong man
Alice • Feb 28, 2022 at 6:12 pm
That took some guts to write an opinion article that is not mainstream. It is good for all of us to look at things from different points of view. We may not all agree with other people’s point of view, but we are better for going through the process. If you don’t re-evaluate/reaffirm your beliefs from time to time, you cannot mature and grow. And frankly, you’d be a pretty boring person. The “no uterus, no opinion” retort is narrow-minded at best. As a grown-up, I do not take sole responsibility for the upbringing of my children just because I brought them into this world. My husband and I have made decisions together from the moment I was pregnant. So students, go ahead and let your voices be heard, but try to be respectful and kind to one another in the process. It’s ok to agree to disagree.
Anonymous • Mar 1, 2022 at 1:05 pm
“Not Mainstream” ah yes because 47% of Americans having one opinion doesn’t make it “mainstream”
Anonymous • Mar 1, 2022 at 7:50 pm
How come you never hear from pro lifers? It’s because the said mainstream media outlets shut them down, such as CNN, NBC, and NPR.
Anonymous • Mar 2, 2022 at 8:11 am
I hear from pro-lifers all the time. CNN NBC and NPR arent the only mainstream news sources. They are just more moderate and less right wing news sources (aside from NPR which is more left leaning).
Anonymous • Mar 2, 2022 at 2:23 pm
I mean FOX is just about it that’s considered mainstream and conservative now.
Anonymous • Mar 9, 2022 at 2:21 pm
Fox, CNN, NBC, are all right wing new sources. NPR is more centrist and a tiny bit left leaning. There are almost no leftist or centrist mainstream media outlets.
Kris • Mar 3, 2022 at 7:42 pm
Remember to consider your environment. Just because the OPRF environment is mostly liberal doesn’t mean every place is like that.
Patrick • Feb 28, 2022 at 5:46 pm
I didn’t find anything in this article that deserved the amount of hate it got.
If you asked me if tell you I’m neither pro-life nor pro-choice
But you don’t need sources to make the moral arguments that you’re making.
It’s really terrible the way people are treating you, I wish people would be more tolerant of opposing viewpoints.
Stay strong
Claire • Feb 28, 2022 at 2:49 pm
We’ve heard enough from white men on the control of women’s bodies. Take a seat buddy. Seriously disappointing Trapeze would choose to publish this instead of uplifting a truly marginalized voice, but not surprising coming from OPRF. Really highlights the failure of the school to instill any notions of equity. No uterus, no opinion.
Joe • Mar 1, 2022 at 6:24 am
And we’ve heard enough from white people on blm. And enough from people who aren’t lawyers on the law system inequality. And enough from any American on the Ukraine situation. And enough from Americans on world hunger. But that’s backwards, isn’t it? And so is the idea that your gender determines what you have an opinion on.
Kris • Mar 3, 2022 at 7:40 pm
Like someone has said there is a different between SUPPORTING something such as the things you said and CONTROLLING someone such as abortions
Anonymous • Mar 4, 2022 at 8:20 pm
What’s the difference?
Anny • Feb 28, 2022 at 1:33 pm
As much as I disagree with the whole “no uterus, no opinion” thing, I feel I must point out that Jackson is primarily quoting someone who does indeed have a uterus throughout the entire article. Also, as a card-carrying member of the uterine community, I agree with Jackson and he absolutely has the right to express opinions that I, and many other uterus-havers, share. Be charitable guys. As members of the human race, you too have a right to have opinions on issues that pertain exclusively to males. Engage with his ideas if your ideas are better, don’t just dismiss them on the basis of the writer’s genitalia. Peace and love to all!
Anonymous • Feb 28, 2022 at 2:57 pm
I completely agree with this point. Your genitalia doesn’t make bad things ok. In the wise words of Ben Shapiro, “Just because I am a white male, doesn’t make bad things ok. Bad things are still bad, even if I am a white male.”
Anonymous • Mar 1, 2022 at 1:07 pm
“wise words” and “Ben Shapiro” are two things that don’t belong in a sentence together.
Anonymous • Mar 3, 2022 at 12:18 pm
Yup.
Anonymous • Feb 28, 2022 at 4:30 pm
interesting that he only had one person to quote though. even ignoring the fact that the writer is talking on an issue he shouldn’t formulate an opinion on, it’s still filled with holes in it’s logic and construction, and would make for a C+ essay at best.
Anonymous • Mar 1, 2022 at 10:32 am
Just about your average grade with that grammar. That’s because so few people get heard for pro life, thanks to mainstream media shutting them down, such as CNN and NBC.
Olivia • Feb 28, 2022 at 1:21 pm
Your usage of a singular source that backs your opinion severely discredits your argument. You also refuse to acknowledge the intersectionality of such issues and how policies such as these affect those who get abortions.
Anonymous • Feb 28, 2022 at 2:59 pm
This is because there aren’t many people out there who express their opinions thanks to the far left shutting down any disagreeing opinions.
anonymous • Feb 28, 2022 at 4:34 pm
I’ll bet you 100 bucks that I can’t find at least 5 other pro-life sources with some source of reliability (published and quoting women) to quote in an article in half an hour, and I’m incredibly liberal and pro-choice. get out of here with your conspiracy bullshit
Anonymous • Mar 1, 2022 at 10:45 am
Alright, it’s on.
1: https://19thnews.org/2021/11/pro-life-feminists-supreme-court/
2: https://www.newyorker.com/news/q-and-a/the-pro-life-movement-plans-for-a-future-without-roe
3:https://etd.ohiolink.edu/apexprod/rws_etd/send_file/send?accession=osu1306280819&disposition=inline (written by a woman for a project at tOSU)
4:https://www.vox.com/identities/2017/1/22/14335292/womens-march-washington-abortion-pro-life-feminists
5:https://www.usatoday.com/story/opinion/2018/09/05/pro-life-women-abortion-feminism-human-rights-supreme-court-column/1122263002/
5 minutes and 2 google searches later, you owe me 100$ 🙂
Kris • Feb 28, 2022 at 5:49 pm
This is actually because no one listens to people that get abortion and automatically just assume because they wanted to when it could deal with so much other things such as finances, rape, or the fact that a child shouldn’t raise a child
James • Feb 28, 2022 at 1:13 pm
I am a licensed clinical social worker and am intrigued by Jackson’s piece. I have long wondered at the idea of myself and others having possessed human rights prior to birth. Abortion would then seem a violation. Thanks to the Trapeze for allowing free speech on this, the dignity of all people.
Meghann • Feb 28, 2022 at 12:21 pm
Why focus on only one argument, while ignoring the HUGE other problems that come with banning abortion? This doesn’t stop abortion, it just stops safe ones and is another way for society to punish underprivileged women. Shame.
Cloe • Feb 28, 2022 at 11:32 am
How are you going to be a WHITE MAN and think it’s okay to write a about a topic you have no involvement in♀️
Anonymous • Feb 28, 2022 at 3:02 pm
Because even if you are a white man, evil things are still evil, and abortion is still murder. How can you have opinions on racism if you aren’t every race? How can you have opinions on the criminal/justice system if you aren’t a lawyer, judge, police, or convicted criminal? This goes both ways.
anonymous • Feb 28, 2022 at 4:39 pm
I’m going to assume, based on your point, that you aren’t an extreme pacifist, and aren’t strictly against the death penalty. So why do their lives only matter prior to their birth? Why is the safety of adult women valued below that of an unborn fetus?
Anonymous • Mar 1, 2022 at 6:27 am
Why does an unborn fetus have no rights? Aren’t you all “Equality for all”?
Anonymous • Mar 1, 2022 at 1:10 pm
Because Equality for all typically applies to people? Something Fetus’s aren’t??? You also say Equality for all like it’s something you don’t agree with. Do you not want Equality for all?
Anonymous • Mar 1, 2022 at 7:44 pm
I agree with equality for all, and yes, a fetus constitutes as a person. It has a heartbeat. It is just as human as you or me.
Anonymous • Mar 2, 2022 at 8:09 am
That’s not what constitutes a person.
Anonymous • Mar 2, 2022 at 2:25 pm
Then define a human.
Anonymus • Feb 28, 2022 at 4:54 pm
Because he still has a right to have an opinion. You don’t have to cancel everything you don’t agree with
lee • Feb 28, 2022 at 11:22 am
no uterus, no opinion
Anonymous • Mar 4, 2022 at 11:36 am
We do not care
Solenne • Feb 27, 2022 at 10:08 pm
no uterus, no opinion x2.
Adam • Feb 28, 2022 at 11:29 am
Experience is not a necessary pre-requisite to share ones thoughts. If it were white Americans would not be able to stand against racial injustice on the basis of their skin color. “No uterus, no opinion” is an illogical argument. Not to mention millions of women that share the same opinion as Jackson.
Olivia • Feb 28, 2022 at 1:22 pm
nice strawman argument
Anonymous • Feb 28, 2022 at 3:04 pm
If you’re white, you can’t support blm. Just because this person has a penis doesn’t mean that evil things are good. Evil things are still evil, even if he’s a white male. Abortion is still murder. Think about how backwards your argument is.
Anonymous • Mar 1, 2022 at 1:08 pm
Abortion isn’t murder, and there’s a difference between supporting something, and trying to control someone.
Anonymous • Mar 1, 2022 at 7:42 pm
But isn’t defunding the police controlling police officers? And isn’t prison just controlling criminals?
Anonymous • Mar 2, 2022 at 8:08 am
What kind of logic is that??? Defunding the police has nothing to do with this and yes the police need to be controlled because they are a broken system of murderers.
Lee • Mar 2, 2022 at 10:26 am
We are not controlling the bodies of police officers, they are free to take off their uniform at any time whereas people with uteruses cannot simply remove their uterus from their body in an instant. I also do not like the prison system so that’s a conversation for another time
Anonymous • Mar 2, 2022 at 7:31 pm
That’s totally ridiculous, give me one statistic that shows that police are a broken system of murderers.
Jane • Feb 27, 2022 at 12:23 pm
no uterus, no opinion.
Linda • Feb 28, 2022 at 12:08 pm
no uterus, no opinion x3.
Anonymous • Feb 28, 2022 at 3:06 pm
Again, just because someone is a white male doesn’t mean evil things are ok. Evil things are still evil, and abortion is still murder. If you are white, you can’t have an opinion on blm. But that’s not right, is it? So stop trying to suppress someone’s opinions when you don’t agree.