Editor,
It is not surprising that we, the UNM community, have had to read the opinion of another ignorant individual - more importantly the opinion of another male - on the subject of abortion. I am referring to Benjamin Sanchez's letter published in the Daily Lobo on Thursday.
Fortunately, for this man and others, he doesn't have the opportunity or life-changing decision to physically have or terminate a pregnancy - nor will he endure the physical sacrifice involved in having or not having a child.
What gives any man - unless he has contributed to the conception - the right to judge any person's choice to have an abortion? I, for one, do not promote nor do I reject the right to have an abortion. People's right in this country is their inherent freedom as U.S. citizens and human beings to make choices they feel are necessary for their well-being, whether it their physical or emotional well-being.
As far as African slavery in the U.S., its relevance is of no consequence in the present-day debate of abortion. I recognize the comparison and minor similarities between the two. However, that was a sign of that point of time.
In that time, there was not a consensus or overall agreement over the issue of slavery, thus the Civil War. Obviously, other political issues were a factor, yet the point is that this country was not completely together in the emancipation of African-Americans. There was a split decision that was ultimately in the hands of who? Caucasians.
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This debate did not openly welcome the opinions of African-Americans, Hispanics, Asians or American Indians. Their decision did not matter because they were seen as subhuman to whites and very degraded. Supposedly, our country values all opinions regardless of race, yet anti-abortionists degrade a woman's right, decision and opinion to have an abortion. Presently, we again are split over the decision of abortion, and who knows what the future holds for the issue?
For any man or woman, abortion is not a pleasant experience or the goal of any young female. No little girl dreams of having an abortion one day. As I remember, I had baby dolls and wished that, one day, I would have a child of my own. However, as we age, we learn and realize the enormous job it is to have and raise a child. We all are different and grew up in good and bad environments. For someone who faces the decision to terminate a pregnancy, it should be his or her personal and private choice and inherent right to live as a citizen in this country.
No one likes to be told what to do or how to live. Abortion is one choice among several, and the great foundation of this country is to have choices. Unfortunately, there are critics everywhere who, perhaps unknowingly, do nothing but shame and humiliate a person and inflict mental and emotional harm on another.
For those who believe they have this right to inflict this type of injustice on another, how is it any different than one choosing to have an abortion? It is not.
Annette Meier
Daily Lobo reader
