For several years I sympathized with the pro-choice movement, and came to the conclusion that abortion was a viable and sometimes preferable alternative to a preganacy.

Also, by aligning myself with the pro-choice movement, I could in essence stay neutral in the abortion debate. I mean, I could disagree with the practice of abortion, and yet still support a woman’s freedom of choice. Great, huh? Not really.

Then something happened that changed my view concerning abortion. No, not a religious conversion (although that came later), it was a debate I attended at my high school between leaders of the pro-choice and pro-life movements here in Illinois.

It was at this debate that I came to realize where exactly the pro-life people were coming from. I found out that they weren’t trying to steal away a woman’s right to choose. They were simply attempting to protect the sometimes unwanted result of a choice that she did make. This result, regardless of what a pro-choicer might say, is a separate human life, and is therefore entitled to the same basic rights we are granted in the constitution.

“Life” is the first right that comes to my mind. This little person, in turn, should be granted all of the other rights that were granted to her mother, namely, the freedom to make decisions concerning her own body. However, certain choices must be made before another life is involved, namely, an unborn life. When the futures of two lives are at stake, both parties must have a voice in any choice made.

The people supporting pro-life are the voice of this unborn life, this little human being, however small. It is time for us to listen.

Beth Hoffner

Biology

Sophomore