Protestors should seek new methods

The Writing on The Wall

Talking about abortion in the opinion section of a paper is like striking oil with a shovel — all that’s buried just underneath the surface will blow out into your face. Who knew that abortion was more divisive than "American Idol?"

We are by nature a peaceful people — unless someone steals our parking space at Wal-mart — and consequently there is a slight social stigma against talking about abortion in the public forum. It is a close relation to the social stigma against talking about religion and politics at the dinner table, which was born out of an effort to keep your friends by never getting to know them.

Therefore, those who are willing to violate that social stigma are inherently a bit more passionate about the issue, as JMU recently experienced firsthand. I’m sure I’m not the only one who noticed the black-robed, "Scream"-faced figures on the hill across from D-hall the day before the 32nd anniversary of Roe v. Wade. They were silent and still and holding anti-abortion signs, including a picture of severed fetal heads held by tongs, which was slightly disconcerting to see first thing in the morning.

For those of us who agree with the ways of the anti-abortion movement but detest the means, these situations are problematic. Not only are they ineffective at reaching those who don’t already subscribe to the American Life League newsletter, they also isolate those of us who are anti-abortion, but don’t necessarily want to raid an armory and go doctor hunting. I was mighty livid when I saw them in my peripheral vision for the first time — and I agree with most of what they were saying. One can only imagine how a pro-choice person — let alone a post-abortive woman, felt seeing them up there — passing unspoken condemnation.

And that, of course, was fairly mild for an anti-abortion protest. No screaming, no pointing, no human chains around parking lots and no lifeless bodies dressed in lab coats lying in pools of blood by their cars. Our masked friends kept the protest to a protest, rather than elevating it to the hate-filled jihad so many are willing to make it.

Jihad is an accurate term, for the anti-abortion movement also is quick to cite the religious nature of their war. It’s a sad irony for people to hear sermons about love on Sunday, and spew sanctimonious hatred on Monday to pregnant women and doctors who perform abortions, who both are in need of that love more than most.

Jesus did not give instructions in the Gospels on how to form human chains around Planned Parenthood parking lots, but he did talk a lot about love. And in light of the whole divinity thing, he probably knows a lot more than we do about what is effective in changing circumstances.

Our full-frontal attack on the pro-choice status quo can adequately be described as a failure. Roe v. Wade still stands, women in their most desperate time of need are afraid to go to us out of fear of judgment and doctors who perform abortions circle the wagons all the closer every time one of their own is gunned down in the street. Maybe we should instead unload our guns, store up our signs, sell our "Scream" masks back to costume store, and decide to simply love the hell out of people — literally.

Brian Goodman is a sophomore SCOM/history major.