An Interest Group in America

I decided to follow Alli's lead and investigate an interest group that we did not discuss in class today. I know that we talked about how people feel less than comfortable bringing up the topic of abortion, but I discovered a group that seemed interesting to me. Typically, people associate feminists with the pro-choice movement, but I found a "nonsectarian, nonpartisan, grassroots" organization that considers itself to be both "pro-woman and pro-life." The name of the group is Feminists for Life of America, and their website is located at http://www.feministsforlife.org/index.htm.

Their website provides many links to various information relating to both abortion and other feminist issues. They state that they reflect similar sentiments to those of early feminists, like Susan B. Anthony. Abortion is a last resort measure that women turn to when they feel as though they have no other options. FFL believes that we have all failed those women because they should always have another alternative. One of their prominent slogans says that "Women Deserve Better than Abortion."

Interestingly, this group was formed in 1972, which is around the time that Roe v. Wade was decided by the Supreme Court. Since then, their efforts have been "shaped by the core feminist values of justice, nondiscrimination, and nonviolence." I am intrigued by the nonviolence component, especially with the recent incident involving the doctor who performed abortions in Kansas. I was watching Anderson Cooper 360, and he interviewed Dr. Warren Hern about the incident because Dr. Hern also performs late-term abortions (http://www.cnn.com/video/?/video/bestoftv/2009/06/02/ac.doctor.killed.cnn). When Anderson mentioned that nonviolent groups and individuals spoke out against what happened, Dr. Hern said that those statements are "hypocritical nonsense." He believes that people really wanted this to happen. These two positions seem to contradict one another, and I am curious to know how the FFL would respond to his comments. Personally, I do not feel that the entire anti-abortion movement is glad about what happened. I feel that pro-life people have a value for human life (and I believe that should also include being against capital punishment and war). I would like to think that this group would speak out against the actions of the gunman.

Rather, this organization seems to be focused on educating people and encouraging them to participate in the process. Their website includes promotional materials as well as videos and information that explain their stances on certain topics. They also have members who travel around to various college campuses in order to speak to the public. One example of this is a speech delivered by Angelica Rosales (http://www.feministsforlife.org/video/i-am-that-exception.htm). Her mother's doctor (and others) advised her mother to get an abortion at age 42, but her mother refused, and as a result, Angelica is leading a full and healthy life. Moreover, Melissa Ohden's biological mother attempted to abort her, but the abortion was unsuccessful (http://www.feministsforlife.org/video/index.htm?r=52). Nowadays, she is also living a productive life, even having children of her own. I feel that testimonies like this are much more influential in terms of achieving a goal as compared to shooting a doctor while at church. Furthermore, the goal of giving women more opportunities is very admirable, and I think that it is just one possible peaceful way to reduce abortions in America.