The Red and Black

Issue date: 4/1/09 Section: Opinions

CAITLIN BYRNES

Although I am an adamant anti-abortionist, I find the visual scare tactics of Justice For All distasteful and ineffective.

The point of the group, according to one of the activists, is to increase public awareness through displays, pamphlets and one-on-one conversations. This is an excellent goal - I wish there were more groups who came to campus to discuss the reality of abortion.

Each year, millions of abortions are performed and doctors are not required to discuss with patients the extensive mental, physical and emotional health risks associated with the procedure. These women, most of whom are younger than 25, often have no idea what really happens until it is too late. This is exactly what happened to Norma McCorvey, the women involved in the landmark Roe v. Wade case that legalized abortion. Since the case and her enlightenment of the implications of abortion, McCorvey has become a pro-life advocate.

In her book, "Won By Love," McCorvey wrote, "No more of this first trimester, second trimester, third trimester stuff. Abortion - at any point - was wrong. It was so clear. Painfully clear."

I want wholeheartedly to prevent young women such as McCorvey from making a rash decision in a time of distress and regretting it the rest of their lives.

However, the aborted fetus photos make many students avoid Tate Plaza when Justice For All is there, killing the group's chance of disseminating important information.

People have to be comfortable approaching the display for them to learn anything.

Justice For All needs to realize that though many women in this age bracket unfortunately will face an abortion decision, most aren't facing the decision at that exact moment and don't want to be visually accosted. Often they want to talk about this subject, but no one wants to be judged and lectured. The group's method comes across as extreme instead of informed.

Instead of huge scary photos, Justice For All could have large displays that welcome passersby to learn more, and then have pamphlets with their coveted aborted fetus pictures for those who wish to see them. This different approach would reach more students, superseding its goal.

The activists claim the large pictures stir discussion about abortion, when really all they do is make people trash the "crazy pro-life people."

I don't want to be associated with the "crazy pro-life people" because there is nothing crazy about trying to save the lives of innocent people - from fetuses to middle aged women.

In my conversation with one of the activists Tuesday, she told me the group is changing its displays to be less graphically disturbing.

Until this change occurs, the group remains an embarrassment to the pro-life community.

- Caitlin Byrnes is a news staff writer

for The Red & Black.

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