Editor,
I write this in response to Benjamin Sanchez's letter published in the Daily Lobo on Thursday. Sanchez argues that justice is the backbone of what he calls "human nature." As I understood it, human nature is defined as those values we have imprinted on us by both society and our genetic makeup. His argument seems to fall apart when he makes the jump that justice and human nature mean the same thing.
Justice, as I understand it, means to make things fair. Although the world is far from what we could call fair, what kind of retribution does Sanchez expect by criminalizing abortion? If a lump of cells is destroyed, then surely someone has to receive the blame. So, how much time should a woman who gets raped spend in jail for her crimes?
Can't bring yourself to blame the woman? All right, what about the doctor? We can damage his career, revoke his license and fine him expediently. Surely, the pregnant woman was simply a bystander in her own life - some poor, unfortunate soul who just found herself in the wrong stirrups at the wrong time. But wait. Didn't someone have to sign the consent forms? Didn't someone have to pay for the operation?
As Sanchez's facade begins to crumble, we see his argument for what it truly is. On one hand, it may be the same logic other anti-abortion protesters have in their core: They simply accept the opinion that has filtered down to them. On the other, it may be yet another attempt by the male power structure to threaten a woman's ability to choose for herself. If she doesn't want an abortion, she doesn't have to get one.
That doesn't mean the option shouldn't be open to those who feel an abortion is the right choice. Some people just aren't ready for children, emotionally or financially. Some women were forcibly impregnated and had no real say in the matter. It is unfair to force one's ideological beliefs on the population, especially when they limit the freedom of another individual.
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As a sort of afterthought, I wonder why Sanchez considers the child innocent. According to the Christian doctrine, the child is full of sin. He was conceived of sin merely because his parents had sex. The child then further blasphemes the church by merely existing, since all humans are said to carry the original sin of Adam and Eve. Furthermore, humans are inherently sinful for their murder and rejection of Christ. This child is far from a pure creature, so shouldn't he or she receive retribution as well?
David Martinez
UNM student
