Project ETD

Section One - The Point

Am I the only one that finds it interesting that there is still a heated debate on the topic of abortions?

But why?

Didn't we decide this back during the seventies in Roe vs. Wade?

Are you even allowed to start off a book with four questions in a row?

Well, if you knew anything about me, my tendency to ask lots of questions wouldn't surprise you. I'm known by many of my co-workers as the "guy that might ask you a weird question out of nowhere". No one avoids me because of it though. In fact, because I'm not judgemental when I have a conversation with someone, I get to talk to all kinds of people about all sorts of things.

And that's what I want to do with you: have a conversation. And the best way I know how to start a conversation is to ask a question.

When is it acceptable to take a human life?

I swear I can already hear some people complaining. Now, If you're reading this, you already know what my objective is and already have a bias one way or the other. But I challenge you take an honest look at the question. When you ask this question outside of the context of abortion, the answers are pretty straightforward.

For example, I sprang this question on several of my unsuspecting co-workers. To be honest I was surprised at the most common answer. Can you guess what it was?

Never

I was expecting at least a few "self-defense" answers. But no, the answer I got the most was "never". Now, I don't know about where you work (or if you work), but at my place of employment one needs ways to pass the time. Otherwise one might lose their mind. The simple answer of "never" wasn't going to kill any time at all. So my attempt at salvaging any conversation after this point was a simple, "Is that all?", followed by a slight raising of my left eyebrow.

It was then that I started getting more of the, "Well, I mean self defense, sometimes," shrugs, and, "I guess in a war," shudders. After a bit more conversation, and time had been killed I decided to throw the rest of my thoughts into the mix. And I'm going to do the same for you - the reader.

Scientifically speaking, a human life - a member of the human race - is created at conception. How then is abortion okay?

HOLD UP! Freeze! Now I know there are some of you out there that want to call me a misogynistic, oppressive, anti-choicer, religious nut-job that hates people who have an abortion. YOU are who I want to talk to, especially if you are a millennial like myself. If there is going to be any progress on the subject of abortion, both sides are going to have to be willing to listen to opposing views and debate them with an open mind. And I know that there are some of you out there that are pro-choice, and that you are armed with facts. I want to talk with you too.

Here's my point:

Don't you find it interesting that when I asked "When is it okay to take a human life?" the answer was simply "never" or "self-defense". However, when I threw abortion into the mix, it suddenly became much more complicated for some people.

But why? Why does abortion complicate things? Should it?

Before we move on, I'm going to give you the responses I got from my co-workers, but for the sake of not devoting the rest of the section to the different responses, I'm going to put them all into two categories: "Amen, brother", and "But what about". I have a good feeling that most of your answers fall into one of these.

If you're in the "But what about" category, the beginning of my project might make you mad. But I hope I can get something across to you: I do not, in any way, think less of you. You have decided to believe this way, and, as I understand it, everyone makes decisions based on two things: the information that we have acquired and the dash of emotion that the information creates. But what happens if the information that we're given is misleading? Would anyone knowingly give misleading information about abortions? Is it crazy to think that anyone would? Is it clear that I ask a lot of questions yet?

But don't feel left out, you over there in the "Amen, brother" category. I want to talk to you too. Here's something that might shock you - banning abortions doesn't solve the problem. I mean it might make it a bit less socially acceptable and/or more difficult to get one, but besides that, other problems start to arise. It would be akin to a doctor treating the symptoms of a disease rather than curing it. But what's the cure in this case? Is there one? Did I start question spamming again?

Which finally leads me to this question.

What's the point of this project?

Aren't there more accomplished people that have written extensively on the subject of abortion? Why bother writing anything? Where do I get the wherewithal to think I can tell you what to do?

And that's the point - I don't think I can tell you what to do. I'm just a random millennial nobody. BUT I do think everyone needs to know the FACTS, and that is one of the main purposes of this project. I want to do what I can to make sure that everyone in my generation is aware of the facts, and to know them for one reason:

I want the debate to end, and I want US to be the ones who end it.

But that's just one of the goals of this project. You see, I don't think anyone needs to be told what to think about the issue of abortion. I honestly think that's a big reason there still is a debate: millions of people arguing a point that they know nothing about and only repeating what others have told them to think. Which bring us to goal number two.

I want this to be a conversation. I want you to tell me why you think abortion is justified or why it isn't either through message or comments. I know it's asking a lot of you, but I think it's vital to the success of this project. If you agree with what I say, share it - get the word out. If you see that I'm incorrect in my way of thinking, for goodness' sake, correct me (with facts of course), and I'll adjust my decision as needed.

I think that a conversation is the best way for our generation to get the facts and to finally end this debate. THAT BEING SAID, I understand that this is a touchy and emotional subject. Therefore, I have two rules if you decide to comment:

1) If you feel strongly one way DO NOT comment making fun or belittling the other stance. People make decisions based on the information that they acquire, just like you do. Not everyone has been exposed to the same amount/potency of information that you have, so let's not judge.

2) No commenting on anyone else's comment. It's all too easy for the whole point to get lost and buried in the comment section. No one needs to get angry over this.

Of course, I plan to continue on with this project whether I get comments or not, but the order and speed in which I post/write sections will be affected by your responses so I look forward to any and all feedback! 

So, do you thinks it's even possible? Can we - millennials - end this debate? If you don't, I guess I've wasted your (and my) time, but I do appreciate you stopping by and giving me a read :).

...But if you do. If you think that our generation can end this debate once and for all, I have one question to ask you.

Scientifically speaking, a human life - a member of the human race - is created at conception. How then is abortion okay?