A reader recently asked me how she could get involved in the pro-choice movement.
I first need to say that, if you are pro-choice, don’t sit back and think everything is okay in this country. In 1973, abortion was legalized by the Supreme Court and those who oppose legal abortion remain energized to this day. And, in many ways they have been successful.
They have succeeded in restricting accedss to abortion in many states (parental consent, 24 hour waiting periods), federal funding for abortions has been generally prohibited for decades and the balance on the Supreme Court is precarious. Indeed, rumors now persist that Justice Stevens, the most liberal member of the court, might resign soon. Before you say “Obama to the rescue,” remember that the President no longer has 60 votes in the Senate so he will have a difficult time nominating an openly pro-choice justice. Finally, the pro-life movement has successfully stigmatized the abortion procedure, an absolutely ludicrous development since over one million women a year obtain abortions.
So, there’s work to be done. I also realize that you have a life, that pro-choice people do not wake up in the morning thinking of legal abortion. Personally, I think about breakfast. So, I will only suggest a few things lest you get spread too thin:
Make a donation to the Abortion Care Network (www.abortioncarenetwork.org). The ACN is the only organization whose main goal is to de-stigmatize and normalize the abortion experience. Founded from the merging of two abortion provider based organizations, the National Coalition of Abortion Providers and the Abortion Conversation Project, ACN has created a network of independent abortion providers, supportive allied organizations, and socially conscious individuals who are deeply invested in creating a more positive environment where women who choose abortion, and those that provide care, are no longer harassed or shamed by the choices they make. Send a check today!
Make a donation to the NARAL Pro-Choice America (www.prochoiceamerica.org) Political Action Committee. While I have criticized the continual emphasis on the word “choice,” NARAL does serve an important purpose – they contribute money to candidates who are pro-choice. As we are seeing in the Congress today, the legislative battle over abortion comes down to one simple fact – who has the votes? That’s what the NARAL-PAC is all about.
If you live near an abortion facility that has protestors, become an escort for women seeking abortions. Escorts are organized by various organizations in the area, so the best thing to do is to call the clinic and ask them if you can help.
Speak up! I’m not saying go into someone’s face and tell them you’re pro-choice but, if the issue comes up express your feelings. For example, if you go to a town meeting for your local Member of Congress, during the Q&A, ask him or her how they feel about abortion or, if you know they are pro-choice, THANK THEM. Those in the pro-life movement are quick to express their opinion and the fact that they are so loud gives the impression that they are greater in number. Do not shy away from your beliefs, tell people you are pro-choice when the opportunity arises. At times, our silence is deafening and it has hurt us over the years.
I look forward to other suggestions!

March 17, 2010 at 4:33 pm
the single biggest way to eliminate the so-called “pro-life” influence in American politics is to stress the importance of caring FOR, not merely ABOUT, human life.
Caring about human life is to take care that it meets one’s own standards– you see an example of this when a child in state custody dies or disappears. Suddenly the airwaves, the editorial pages and the Internet are filled with fulmination. People rage about the incompetence of the agency, and so forth. These are people who are very disturbed that their idea of America being a country where all children are happily cared for has been shaken. They are not interested in the welfare, nurture or development of the now-dead child; they only want to be assured that children are all nurtured and doing well. That is caring about human life.
Caring FOR human life is done not by the people who fulminate after a crisis, but the ones who sacrifice to see that children are protected and nurtured. They push for higher taxes for better schools, lobby for consumer product safety laws, get the necessary training to be employed in schools, pediatric clinics, day care centers, pediatric rehabilitation centers. They join PTA and they move heaven and earth to see that other people’s children have access to better schooling than they did. They support bond drives for community recreation centers, they donate generously in time and money to Scout programs and the high school marching band. They attend lectures by people in the fields of education, public safety, child development, and they see that their kids get the same sort of exposure at a more appropriate level.
So-called “pro-lifers” truly care ABOUT human life, not FOR it. True, they often do marvelously with their own kids and those of their church, their kin and their social circle, but they don’t care about the 30% of children in America who are born unwanted. They will not read about them, they certainly will not discuss them on this site, and because they lack the emotional energy, they are not going to sacrifice for them.
The more Americans learn about the difference betweeen caring about and caring for, the sooner the so-called “pro-lifers” will fade into an overdue obscurity.
LikeLike
March 18, 2010 at 7:36 am
yeah, but in the interim you gotta get the votes on Capitol Hill.
LikeLike
March 18, 2010 at 8:14 pm
True, but that’s tactical, not strategic.
LikeLike
March 19, 2010 at 7:31 am
You’re right. Giving money to NARAL is tactical, hard core “lets get the votes.” Giving money to the ACN, which is looking at the bigger picture, is strategic.
So much to do, so little time…
LikeLike
March 19, 2010 at 4:28 pm
I am ignorant and a fool. What’s ACN?
cg
LikeLike
March 20, 2010 at 8:24 am
The Abortion Care Network (www.abortioncarenetwork.org)
LikeLike