Many years ago, people we now call "pro-life" were more commonly called "anti-abortion." At some point, they re-labeled themselves "pro-life." And somehow, for some reason, we went along with it! We allowed them to do it!
First of all, this is nonsense, as a huge percentage of people who call themselves "pro-lifers" are also pro-death-penalty. (See Sarah Palin: "If legislature passed death penalty law, I would sign it. (Nov 2006)" Sarah Palin on the Issues) No one who believes in state-sanctioned murder should ever be allowed to call themselves "pro-life."
Also, the current overlap between people who call themselves "pro-life" and the people who have enthusiastically supported the Iraq war is stunning. Again, these people should never be allowed to call themselves "pro-life."
And for God's sake, now they're starting to re-label "pro-choicers" as "abortionists." Will we allow them do that, too??
Time to take the framing back into our hands. People who believe that abortion should be a woman's choice are "pro-choice." People who believe that abortion should be made illegal are "anti-choice." They're not allowing us to label ourselves. Why on earth should we?
Take it back! Anti-choice! Anti-choice! Anti-choice! Spread the word far and wide, and never use the term "pro-life" again!
P.S. This is my first diary. Please be gentle. I know it's not chock full o'quotes and links, but this is something that's been bothering me for ages, and with Sarah "not even in the case of rape or incest" Palin coming on board, and all the "abortionist" clap-trap coming from the right, I couldn't stay silent any longer.
UPDATE: Changed "anti-choice" in my opening sentence to "anti-abortion." That's the term I meant to use, since that was the original term. This didn't occur to me until I read a comment using that term.
UPDATE #2: Okay, you 17% "pro-life" preference people out there! Let's hear from some of you! Why do you think that "pro-life" is a better term for these people than "anti-choice"? I've been hearing a lot from people who agree with me, but from no one who prefers the term "pro-life." Explain why you prefer that term. Convince me.
UPDATE #3: From willie horton in the comments:
The conservative movement agreed, after Nixon, to "frame" the debate by speaking largely in unison. Whenever you hear 'talking points,' you are hearing one important result of that agreement.
My response:
I couldn't agree more with what you just said. They seem to be incredibly good at "speaking largely in unison," and therefore framing things on their terms. They seem to be much better at it than we are. We really, really need to work on that.
Republicans have several strategic advantages over Democrats, and their unified ability to frame arguments and discussions in their terms is an important one. If we could harness this ability as well, not just on the pro-choice/anti-choice issue, but on all issues, or at least the most important ones, we'd be in a significantly stronger position. (And maybe the congressional Dems won't feel the need to be so frigging spineless.)
UPDATE #4: No one who voted "pro-life" in the poll has commented on their choice (so far), on why they prefer the term "pro-life" to "anti-choice." The only explanation I can think of regarding why 16% of the voters would prefer the term "pro-life" to "anti-choice" is because these 16% are pro-life, in the legitimate usage of the word; i.e., not just anti-abortion, but also anti-war, anti-death penalty, etc. To which I would reply, first of all, good for you! You've earned the right to call yourselves pro-life. But doesn't it bother you that so many war-mongering death penalty advocates have usurped your rightful claim to the term "pro-life" and dare to use it for their clearly-not-pro-life selves?
You are in the minority. And others are using your descriptor to promote their clearly non-pro-life agenda. Let's call people who believe that abortion should be illegal, and yet advocate for war, the death penalty, and other clearly non-pro-life positions, what they really are: anti-choice. And let's reserve the term "pro-life" for the people who actually deserve it... like you.