I find it curious that people who advocate choice want to boycott advertisers displaying ads of people who believe in choosing differently from them. The ads in question can contribute toward a more balanced discussion about abortion. Such discussion may lead to an informed decision for women who find themselves put before such a crucial choice. Anyone who believes that only their view should be heard before making a choice is in my view anything but pro-choice.
What is distasteful or disturbing about displaying an image of a young fetus? I do not know, where the line can reasonably be drawn between “tissue” and “being.” In the ads in question I see the beauty of a becoming human being, not “tissue.” What is wrong in wishing to defend such beautiful beingness?
I grew up in Switzerland, which is far more “liberal” than Canada. There, the pro-lifers put out pamphlets that show what legally aborted fetuses look like depending on the different methods applied. I believe it is only fair to inform people what really is happening. We see war victims depicted in the media to give us an idea what war really looks like, so we can make an informed choice if we consider a war justified. We also need to know what abortion really looks like, so we can make an informed choice if an abortion is justified. I believe this is what pro choice should really be about.
Let’s listen respectfully to all sides so we at least may find understanding and compassion for each other. No matter how diversely anyone who is involved with the issue, there is common ground: it’s very close to our heart and touches everyone deeply.
Tobias Jenny
Nelson