beachlass | Pro Choice

Hmmm.... the context for this is clearly American (Roe vs Wade); and the context here in Canada is different: it's been almost 20 years since we were immersed in a national debate on abortion.

I was at an ecumenical lunch one day last year, and sitting with an older couple at a long table. I complimented the woman on her necklace, and in return she drew my attention to the pin on her sweater. She explained that it was in recognition of her participation in anti-abortion work, and continued with series of comments about 'those people' who 'murder babies'. I was transfixed in awkward horror, not wanting to openly disagree with her and start an argument, but not wanting to have silence interpreted as implicit agreement. I don't actually remember what I said. The incident crystalized something for me about Christian identity. I would have thought it would be unforgivably rude and confrontational to start talking about my opinions of abortion over a casual meal. Why didn't she? Why didn't she know that not all Christians share her point of view? Why is it acceptable in many mainstream Christian contexts to express viewpoints that I think would be clearly flagged as inflammatory at the hockey arena or the knitting circle?

Why did I spend time wondering whether stating that I am prochoice was too.... something... on my own blog.

The blog prompt is: why prochoice? I'm prochoice because when I was 21 and pregnant, I needed a choice. And I'm glad that choice was not complicated by abortion being illegal, or unsafe, or expensive, or far away. The institutionalization of choice allowed me the support and freedom to focus on what I believed and needed to do. And now that the daughter I carried to term is 14, I need her to have choices. I pray that she never has to wrestle with decisions around unplanned or unwanted pregnancies. But women have always strategised around pregnancy and childbirth. I'm grateful to be living in a time and country where our choices include safe, health plan covered, accessible (more or less) abortion. I've seen autopsy pictures of bleedouts from coat hanger abortions. I've written letters and been dragged out of the parliament building. I've held the hand of my best friend in the recovery room. I've raised a child whose father removed himself for ten years.

I'm not looking for an argument. I'm pushing my comfort zone around saying this out loud in a public/faith oriented space. I am prochoice.

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