‘I’m pro-choice’

While reading Christine Flowers’ Dec. 7 column, I’m anti-abortion because I’m anti-murder, I was reminded of one of my most traumatic experiences — standing by helplessly while a college roommates tried to give herself an abortion.

She had returned from Thanksgiving vacation determined to “take care of it” even if she had to do it herself. Three of us roommates were running around trying to figure out what to do and whom to call. She was eventually unsuccessful at her attempt, managed not to kill herself, dropped out of school and had the baby, which she gave up for adoption.

Many women used to die in those days, either by their own hand or an unqualified one. Some women are more determined than others to proceed with abortion, legally or not. So, am I pro-abortion? No. But I am pro-choice. As for Flowers’ comment, “Words don’t kill. Sick, evil people do,” well, sick, evil people are particularly susceptible to words, especially when the words are incendiary and filled with untruths.

This story was originally published December 10, 2015 at 6:22 PM with the headline "‘I’m pro-choice’."