Roe v. Wade, from the Political Director

The 33rd anniversary of the Supreme Court’s controversial Roe v. Wade decision was Sunday January 22, and a few university students took to the streets to celebrate the almost 1,500,000 lives that are legally terminated every year as a result of this decision. On this past Tuesday, the Red and Black prominently displayed a photograph of some of these students who braved the elements to demonstrate their appreciation for the “right to choose.” In the picture stood a young lady with a scrappy, makeshift sign which read, “My Body, My Choice.” I would have to say she was only half right.
You see, the “body” of this young lady, or of anyone seeking an abortion, is not what is at issue in this debate. It is the body of the unborn child. The phrase “right to life” sometimes get taken for granted because we hear it so much. However, this is a real, inalienable right, granted to each one of us, along with the right to liberty and the pursuit of happiness. These rights only become limited when they infringe on the rights of others. An abortion, in my opinion, infringes quite heavily on an unborn child’s right to live, to live free, and to pursue his or her own personal happiness. The idea of choice is a noble one; clearly, choice is what drives every event of our day-to-day lives. However, we are not free to make choices concerning the lives of others, especially when those choices concern the time and circumstances of another’s death.
That being said, this young lady does have “choice” concerning her body, beginning with the decision whether or not to participate in sexual activities which may lead to her bringing a child into this world which she is not ready to raise. Clearly, the health and life of the mother, as well as the circumstances surrounding her becoming pregnant (i.e., race, incest, etc.), are legitimate concerns which should be addressed. However, nearly 95% of abortions occur as a result of the mother’s personal choice not to have a child—immediately after making a personal choice to engage in the activity which directly resulted in her becoming pregnant in the first place. Sex, as any middle school Biology student can explain, is meant for reproduction. If someone decides to partake in it irresponsibly, they should not be able to terminate the life of a living person because they do not want to live with the consequences.
Choices are important. The choices we make about our bodies are important. The young lady in the picture was right to an extent: she does have many choices about what to do with her body, one of which is the choice to be responsible in her sexual activities. Canceling the life of an unborn human being, however, is not.

J. Clint Long
UGACR Political Director

http://www.redandblack.com/vnews/display.v/ART/2006/01/24/43d5b43dcd0bd