“The Abortion Divide” documentary by Frontline was a gut-wrenching watch for me. As someone who had to have an abortion myself, I can relate to the pain that these women were going through. They were so brave to agree to be featured in this documentary. I think that it’s important for people who have had abortions to share their story if and when they feel comfortable. Doing so destigmatizes the procedure. Many people who have had abortions keep their story to themselves due to all of the shame and judgment that society places onto them.
My father is religious and tends to have a lot of viewpoints based on Christianity that reflect that. Once he saw me go through my abortion, he became adamantly pro-life. He understood why I made the decision that I made and knew that it was the right one. In the snapshot posted by Mohammed Ahmed, there are protestors on both sides of the abortion argument holding up signs. Signs from the pro-lifers read, “The future is anti-abortion”, while sides from the pro-choice protestors read, “My body, my right to choose.” Oftentimes pro-lifers are seen protesting outside of abortion clinics.
When I had to have my abortion, there were protestors outside of the clinic I went to. I remember an old white man, just like the ones in the documentary holding up a sign. I can’t remember exactly what it said but let’s just say it was burned into my brain for a while afterwards. At the clinic, I chose to receive a medical abortion. The process was traumatic and devastating. Even as someone who has no desire to have kids, I felt as though I was going against some sort of motherly instinct by terminating the pregnancy.
I always knew that if I ended up with an unwanted pregnancy that I would have to terminate it. As someone who is pro-choice, I didn’t know how guilty it would make me feel. I don’t believe that it’s an easy decision for anyone, as shown by the crying women and couples in the video. There is this misconception that people who have abortions are callous, selfish, and cold. This documentary proves the opposite.
My favorite quote from the documentary was, “There’s this idea that women simply can’t make moral decisions on their own. The state has to intervene and tell them what to do.” That sums up much of my distaste for attempts by the government to control women’s bodies. In the short Youtube clip, “Hobby Lobby: Last Week Tonight with John Oliver”, John Oliver discusses whether corporations should be able to claim religious exemption from paying taxes that go towards providing women with contraceptive care. It’s easier for me to understand why pro-lifer’s get emotional at the thought of dead babies, but it’s unfathomable to me as to why anyone would want to limit or prevent people’s access to contraception. Hobby Lobby really takes it to the next level with imposition of religious beliefs, and in my opinion religious extremist beliefs on others.
